Men's Style Tips: Autumn staples and seasonal layering
Autumn. Crispy leaves. Pumpkin spice lattes. Chilly winds. And plenty of layering. Temperatures are beginning to dip and if you haven’t already, you’re going to have to start digging out your winter clothes soon.
Do not despair. Colder weather brings a fresh opportunity to dapper up with some favourite staple items and layer like the wind. Smart overcoats and chunky cable-knit jumpers are the perfect way to avoid ironing after all.
Before you rush off into the depths of your wardrobe, there are some tricks to dressing well in autumn. It’s all about strategic choices in colours, textures and layering. So, here are our top tips on the fall staple items you need, as well as what colours to try.
From autumn to winter
The Winter Suit
A woven wool suit is a great item to help stay smart and warm. We recommend charcoal or navy tones to keep simple and versatile, but if you want to be a little more on-trend, you could try a deep, moss green. According to Esquire, owning one suit in green makes for a welcome alternative to grey and blue.
If you’re going for a less formal look with a smart-casual blazer, try a thicker, textured blazer. We’ve paired our navy winter suit with our Ottaway Style socks in burnt orange.
The Statement Overcoat
There’s no mistaking that you need a decent coat to see you through the winter months. It pays to invest in a quality, tailored coat you can throw over (almost) any outfit; from workwear to relaxed weekend looks. We’ve picked a bold camel overcoat here with a sharp lapel, but if you keep it simple and well fitting, you can’t go wrong.
Burton Camel Wool Chesterfield
The Raincoat
Unfortunately, the colder months bring some damper days. Ensure your style doesn’t suffer and invest in a classic mac overcoat for showerproofing your suit. Dark blue or green is a versatile colour you will be able to match to most of your work and relaxed outfits – and even pair with your wellington boots for countryside walks.
Match your dark blue jeans with a relaxed shirt and knitwear for a smart-casual Sunday look. Worn here with our Wellington socks in forest green.
The Cable Knit Sweater
A must-have in your autumn/winter wardrobe, a thin cable-knit is great for layering over your shirt. It creates a sharp look on a cool day and you can avoid ironing in the morning. Win win. Consider the fit and fabric, though. Natural fabrics like wool, merino or even cashmere are warm, look great and are naturally breathable. Cotton-blends are simple and comfortable as well.
Cotton Cashmere Cable Crew Neck from Charles Tyrwhitt
The Roll Neck
So, they’re not for everyone and you might instinctively want to steer clear. However, roll necks first hit the style trends in the ’70s and have firmly stood the test of time. Styled well, the roll neck is an elegant modern item. There are lots of colours, fabrics and weight variations to choose from, but we recommend keeping it simple. Try a thin navy or charcoal roll neck for under your suit, or a thicker, textured fabric for pairing with jeans or trousers for more relaxed occasions.
We’ve paired this here with our Jacquard Vert sock style.
Jacquard Vert
The Knitted Polo Shirt
A modern take on knitwear styling. A knitted polo is a great layering piece for your style for more smart-casual occasions in colder weather.
Knitted Polo Shirt Grey from Reiss
Fall colours
Camel and Charcoal
Combining a bit of camel and grey is a super simple colour combination that never fails. Mixing shades and patterns of camel will have a strong impact on your look. If the all-camel look is a bit bold for your liking, you can mix it up with some splashes of cream or navy.
Best of Blues
Pair as many tones of blue into your outfit and you can’t stray too far wrong. To brighten an outfit, add a brighter blue on your small accessories for example with a bright blue pocket square, a bolder tie or statement socks.
Moss Green
Moss green is huge this season – a deep, darker shade of a typical summer green tone. It is a popular colour this season for everything from jumpers to suits and coats, and it looks brilliant on all skin tones. Not only that, but moss green is a lot smarter than your lighter olive greens and looks sharp paired with blacks.
Try a moss green chinos, or a merino jumper or overcoat.
London Sock Co. Spot of Style Navy
Orange
Add some zing to your camel, navy and blue staples. You can even introduce this bold colour with super subtle touches in your socks, accessories or t-shirts.
London Sock Co. Shaken & Stirred Russet
