What to Wear in the Fall: The Ultimate Guide to Men’s Fall Fashion

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The Canadian menswear aficionado Harry Rosen once said, “The gentleman prefers fall.”

And who could blame him?

The oppressive heat of summer leaves us with few options for looking good without sweating our balls off.

And winter requires thick parkas that cover the rest of our stylish get-ups.

But fall? This time of year offers an opportunity to look sharp as hell.

The slight chill in the air provides the perfect cover for creating the sort of layered good looks that are as rugged as they are dashing.

Man wearing J.Crew peacoat and sweater
Stylish-as-hell fall shot via J.Crew
The Full Guide to Men’s Fall Style

Because fall’s such a great time for guys who want to look and feel good, store shelves get flooded with so many menswear pieces that it’s easy to find yourself facing decision fatigue.

So I thought I’d give you a solid starting point by outlining the must-have fall menswear pieces that every guy should add to his wardrobe come autumn.

Below you’ll find a mix of timeless fall staples and some newer fall fashion trends, each of which will help you look masculine, stylish and confident after Labor Day.


Men’s Fall Fashion Guide for 2023 (and Beyond)

Rounding Up of the Most Essential Men’s Fall Fashion Must-Haves

Men’s Fall Coats & Outerwear ↓

Brown or Grey (or Brownish Grey) Blazer

Grey blazer with blue sweater

The fall season is the perfect time to rock a blazer.

Pick up one in a heftier fabric, like a herringbone, wool or tweed jacket, preferably in neutral colors like grey or brown.

Pair it with dark jeans or a darker colored khaki (learn more about both below).

The result will be a casual but classic style (and classically masculine combination) that’s a lot more put together than just throwing on a denim jacket or a windbreaker.

(Not sure why I chose “windbreaker” as my example there. This isn’t the ’90s, and you’re not AC Slater. [Wait, you’re not, are you? Because it would be really cool if Mario Lopez read my blog…])

Where to Get Men’s Fall Blazers:

Leather Jacket

man in brown leather jacket
[image: Sarah Pflug / Burst]

In colder temperatures you might need something heavier than a blazer, which is where a good leather jacket comes in.

Keep yours fitting snug, like the handsome gentleman featured here.

(And feel free to pair it with a slick pair of aviators to up the bad-ass quotient even further.)

Leather jackets are a great casual look that never go out of style.

That makes them more reliable than a varsity jacket or letterman’s jacket, which happen to be current trends right now, but tend to come and go every few years as men’s fashion trends change.

While they come in multiple different colors, your best is to stick with darker colors like black, brown or a dark gray, all of which are easy to pair with denim jeans and other men’s fall fashion staples.

Handsome Hack:

The best way to make a leather jacket look sharp is to ensure it fits nice and snug in the shoulders, torso, and arms.

Snug leather jackets make you look like a man.

Loose, baggy leather jackets make you look like a little boy who raided his dad’s closet.

Where to Get Men’s Leather Jackets:

Check out our break down of the 10 best leather jacket styles to find the ‘fit that’s right for you.

(Spoiler alert: it’s not a duster.)


Top Coat (aka Overcoat)

Camel men's topcoat

When the temperature starts feeling more “early winter” than “late summer” you’ll want something that covers not just your upper body, but part of your legs as well.

Enter the topcoat, one of the all-time most dashingly handsome pieces of men’s outerwear.

Even though an overcoat is outerwear, look for one that fits similarly to a blazer in order to maintain a sleeker, more sophisticated silhouette.

Handsome Hack:

When buying a topcoat, ask yourself this one question:

Will you be wearing the coat over top of formal wear, like a suit jacket or blazer, or in place of one?

If you intend to wear the coat over top of another jacket, opt for one that’s one or two inches bigger in the chest than your jacket size.

(So if you normally wear a 40R jacket, try a 42 in the coat.)

But if you don’t wear a lot of blazers and you intend to wear the coat over top of a dress shirt or sweater (like in the picture above), get one in the same measurements as your jacket, so that it fits snug and cuts a strong silhouette.

Where to Get Men’s Topcoats:

Peacoat

Billy Reid Bond peacoat
Coats don’t get much more stylish than Billy Reid’s “Bond” peacoat, which 007 sported in Skyfall

Classic dock-worker staples like this are perfect for winter, but a peacoat can also come in pretty handy in the fall.

(Particularly if you live in a more northern locale, where the fall can get quite cold.)

As with the other coats mentioned above, you want to keep the silhouette slim.

And for the love of god fellas, if you only remember one thing from this post, please, remember this:

Unlike the topcoat, the peacoat is not meant to be worn over top of a blazer or suit!

Instead, think of it more as a replacement for a blazer, albeit it a warmer one.

Opt for one in a classic color like navy, black or grey, which pairs well with all of the essential men’s pants colors and will lend you a sophisticated look that helps elevate your casual style game.

Where to Get Men’s Peacoats:

Trench Coat

Men's trench coat

Trench coats are a more mature look, but an absolute classic one.

They’ve been worn by everyone from movie stars like Humphrey Bogart to my stylish-as-hell Italian grandfather.

The classic move is to throw your trench over a suit to protect it on rainy days.

Of course, most of us don’t wear suits very often anymore.

But we can still leverage the “dressed up” reputation of the trench to make an otherwise mundane outfit look significantly more classic and gentlemanly.

Where to Get Men’s Trench Coats:

Bomber Jacket

Man wearing green bomber jacket

Styled after the flight jackets worn by jet pilots in the military (hence the name), bombers make for the perfect casual fall jacket.

While you can find some insulated versions that keep you pretty warm, for the most bombers aren’t very thick, making them a great layering piece for cool fall days.

Throw a grey, black, green or navy blue bomber over a white henley and a pair of dark jeans and you’ll be ready for damn near any event fall throws at you.

Where to Get Men’s Bomber Jackets:

Men’s Fall Sweaters & Shirts ↓

Shawl Collar Cardigan Sweater

Welcome to your fall uniform.

Find a shawl collar sweater that fits as well and looks as good as the handsome gent pictured here.

Then pair it with dark jeans, a plain tee or a henley, and a hearty leather belt.

(You can also try layering it over polo shirts or button downs for a slightly more dressed up look.)

And once we get into the cooler weather, layer one of the coats mentioned above over top to keep rocking the shawl collar straight through winter.

Where to Get Men’s Shawl Collar Sweaters:

Chambray/Denim Shirt

Men's light blue chambray shirt

Need something to layer under that shawl collar sweater when it gets cold?

The texture on a denim (or lighter weight and better-for-layering chambray) shirt is perfect for fall—with or without the sweater.

They’re also a gerat alternative to the flannel shirts that most of the other guys will probably be wearing, which will help you stand out from the crowd.

One word of warning when it comes to these shirts:

If you’re wearing it with jeans, try to pick a shirt color (or at least a shade) that’s different from the denim you’re wearing down below.

Personally, one of my favorite go-to looks for fall is jet black jeans, a medium blue denim shirt, and a pair of grey chukkas.

Where to Get Men’s Denim Shirts:

Long-Sleeve Henley

Public Rec men's long sleeve henley

Long the preferred shirt of Hollywood leading men and stylish regular guys alike, a henley is sort of a cross between a regular t-shirt and a polo.

Like a tee, it has a regular crew neck, as opposed to the more formal collar of a polo shirt.

But like a polo, it has three or four buttons at the collar, allowing you to leave the top one or two undone for a look that’s a little more roguish than a regular tee.

I can’t quite put my finger on why, but there’s something about those three or four buttons at the top that just make henleys look more masculine and stylish then regular tees.

And the long sleeve version will come in handy when the temperature starts to drop.

Where to Get Long Sleeve Henleys:

Rugby Shirts

L.L. Bean men's rugby shirt

Another smart alternative to fuzzy flannels, rugby shirts are one of the best ways to work athleticwear into your fall fashion wardrobe.

A rugby shirt makes for a more stylish – but just as comfortable – alternative to a hoodie.

In addition to evoking one of the most bad-ass sports on the planet, the rugby shirt’s collar and similarity to a long-sleeve polo give it a certain refinement that other athletic-inspired pieces usually lack.

The most classic version comes in navy blue with a plain white collar.

But you can usually find them in a lot of other solid colors that work well with the rest of your fall wardrobe, including deep greens, burgundy and brown.

Where to Get Stylish Rugby Shirts:

Check out our in-depth Taylor Stitch review to find out how we feel about the rugby shirt listed above.


Merino Wool Sweater

Men's merino wool crew neck sweater

A classic men’s staple that looks as good layered under a blazer or topcoat as it does on its own.

Merino wool sweaters come in two main varieties: v-neck, which is self-explanatory, and crew neck, which many guys would basically call “normal.”

I’ve written at length about how the perfect v-neck should fit, but as a rule of thumb, remember to keep it slim and look for a “V” that doesn’t dip down too low.

You can find v-neck sweaters in a lot of fabrics, but I favor merino wool because it’s simultaneously lightweight (making it perfect for layering over shirts and under jackets), while still providing a lot of warmth.

To keep yours fitting trim, look for one that has a bit of stretch, and consider sizing down so that the sweater hugs your torso rather than bulging out around the stomach.

(I don’t know about you, but I have enough stomach bulge without my sweater adding to it, thank you very much.)

Where to Get Mens Merino Wool Sweaters:

Men’s Fall Pants ↓

Dark Green Jeans or Khakis

Men's green slim fit pants

You can get away with pastels and lighter shades during the summer.

But autumn is the time to break out darker, more masculine shades.

When I wrote my roundup of the best men’s pants colors, I included Forest Green as a Good-to-Have color, as opposed to a Must-Have.

But come fall, I think you should really consider dark green pants more of a “must.”

They not only evoke the dark colors that you see in nature throughout autumn, but also provide a great alternative to the standard blue and black that most guys favor in jeans.

Where to Get Dark Green Pants:

Note: 

I can’t seem to figure out how to link directly to Mott & Bow’s green options, but if you use the link above you can easily select Green from the filter menu.


Dark Blue Jeans

Men's blue jeans

And speaking of standard colors, a trim-fitting pair of dark blue jeans isn’t just a fall standard.

Come fall, it’s the gold standard.

(Whether you prefer slim-fit pants or skinny jeans is of course up to you, but for a sharper look I definitely recommend avoiding looser fits.)

Every shirt, sweater and piece of outerwear mentioned above looks great – and maybe even best – when paired with a dark pair of denim, as do each of the fall footwear items listed below.

Invest in a couple good pairs of dark blue jeans and you can (stylishly) wear the hell out of ’em all fall and winter long.

Where to Get Men’s Jeans:

Thin Waled Corduroys

Thin waled corduroy pants

Once upon a time, corduroy got a bad rap for being the favored fabric of stodgy old men.

But like a lot of things in the world of menswear, it was reimagined and reborn in the mid-00’s and given new life in the wardrobes of stylish-but-sophisticated guys who want to put a more modern spin on classic materials, patterns and styles.

With corduroy pants, the key is to keep the wale – which is the name given to the ribbing that defines corduroy – nice and thin.

The added texture gives cords a look that’s perfect for fall, while the added weight keeps your legs warm well into winter.

Where to Get Men’s Corduroys:

Dark Beige Khakis

Bonobos dark beige khaki pants

In the summer, light beige (and lightweight) khakis compliment the pastels and lighter shades of blue and green that you wear in your polos.

But as the leaves on the trees start to turn darker and more rustic-colored, so should your khakis.

Look for pants colors with an earthy tone like red, orange and brown – the colors of fall leaves, basically – and pair them with sweaters or jackets in deep shades of contrasting colors like navy blue or forest green.

The “chestnut” color of the Bonobos khakis featured here is pretty much perfect because it’s more brown than beige, but still very much in the “khaki” family.

Where to Get Men’s Khakis:

Men’s Fall Shoes & Boots ↓

We’ve rounded up a few of our favorite pieces of fall footwear below, but for (much) more check out our complete guide to the best men’s shoes for fall.

Leather Boots

Brown leather boots standing in leaves

Easily one of my favorite things about fall is the chance to break out the boots.

A sleek pair of sturdy boots with a good toe shape can give you all the refinement of well-shaped shoes.

Meanwhile, the extra leather on an ankle-length boot adds an extra dose of ass-kicking.

When choosing a great pair of leather boots for the cooler months, there are multiple types of boots you could consider, which I’ve outlined at length in my roundup of the best casual boots to wear with jeans.

But no matter which style you opt for, having at least one go-to leather boot in your fall wardrobe is an absolute must.

Where to Get Leather Boots:

Hearty Brogues

Don’t want to rock a full boot?

Opt for a brogue with strong rubber soles that will protect your feet from puddles and add a sh*t-kicking motif to your look, or a sleek leather sole that you can pair with a suit.

Also known as wingtips, brogues come from the tradition of hunting parties in Britain.

Men would leave their patent leather dress shoes at home to go slosh around in the woods, shotgun firmly in hand.

That’s both one of the most awesome and the most autumn origins I can think for a shoe.

It’s also one of the reasons why brogues ranked high on my list of the best men’s casual shoes (and why you should absolutely add a pair to your wardrobe).

Where to Get Brogues:

Suede Desert Boots

Men's suede chukka boots

Also called chukka boots, desert boots have been sported by style icons for decades:

From trailblazers like Steve McQueen in the ’60s to Daniel Craig’s James Bond today.

And with good reason.

They make for a perfect look when paired with jeans and khakis, not to mention other fall options like wool pants and corduroy pants.

One of the reasons desert boots work so well for fall is that they have a more streamlined style than chunkier options like Chelsea boots or work boots.

It’s possible to find chukkas with a thick rubber sole and lots of tread, but most have a fairly thin sole that keeps them looking sleek and stylish.

Where to Get Suede Chukkas:

Want more dapper desert boots? We’ve rounded up the absolute best in a post that’s chock full’a chukkas. (But mercifully light on crappy wordplay, thankfully.)


Men’s Fall Accessories ↓

Leather Messenger Bag or Briefcase

Men's black leather briefcase

The exact style of bag you choose will vary depending on your job, your budget and the look you’re going for.

But whether you wear a messenger bag, a briefcase or even a backpack, you can’t go wrong with a hearty, masculine and classic-looking leather bag.

And, ideally, you’d actually have not one, but two. Keep in mind that when it comes to leather accessories, the stylish man’s rule of thumb is to keep his leathers in the same color category.

If you’re wearing brown shoes, then your belt, watch strap and bag should all be brown as well. Wearing black shoes? Well, you get the idea.

Where to Get Men’s Leather Bags:

Lookin for more great leather options? Check out our complete round up of the best leather bag styles for men to carry.


A Substantive, Leather-Band Watch

[image: christian erra / Unsplash]

I confess: 

My love for the Timex Weekender and other NATO-strap watches is well known.

But even I have to admit that, come fall, I’m ready to return to the feeling of leather wrapped around my wrist.

There’s just something undeniably masculine, strong and hearty about leather, all of which makes it the perfect accessory for fall.

As mentioned above, look for one that will pair well with the leather in your belt and shoes, and remember to always keep it in the same color family.

Where to Get Leather-Band Watches:

Wool Socks

Wool men's socks

There are few better feelings in the world than sliding your cold feet into a warm – and seasonally stylish – pair of thick wool socks.

(Subsequently sliding said sock into a stylish pair of leather boots comes a close second.)

Falls can be crisp and winters can be cold as shit, so stock up on warm socks in the fall and get ready to wear them for the next four to six months.

Handsome Hack:

Socks are one part of a man’s wardrobe where you can throw caution to the wind have some fun, without worrying that your look is too “out there.”

Stock up on the core fall colors, sure, but don’t be afraid to grab some bright colors and fun geometric patterns during the colder months.

Remember: style doesn’t have to be stuffy!

Where to Get Wool Socks:

Leather Gloves

Man putting on leather gloves in autumn

When the fall weather really starts to drop, wrap your hands up in style.

Keep your gloves in the same family as your belt, shoes, watch and other leather accessories.

And if you’re ordering online, you may want to consider sizing down.

A lot of gloves tend to run larger, and ideally you want them to fit snugly like the ones pictured here, not flap off your fingers.

Where to Get Men’s Leather Gloves:

Lighter Weight Scarf

Stylish man wearing lightweight scarf
[image: the stock company / Shutterstock]

Guys tend to shy away from scarves until the weather really requires them.

And even then, there’s a common misconception among some woefully under-informed guys that scarves are “for girls.”

That’s a damn shame, because when you learn how to wear a scarf with style, you quickly find that it’s an easy way to add a roguish bit of flare to your look, while still looking masculine as hell.

(Just ask any English soccer –sorry, football – coach, who could likely both kick your ass and out-dress it.)

Handsome Hack:

Try paring a lighter scarf with a blazer or lighter weight jacket for a layered look that’s warm, put together and sharp.

Where to Get Men’s Scarves:

Acetate Sunglasses

Man wearing acetate sunglasses and denim jacket

While metallic sunglasses like aviators look sharp as hell, the metal frames can get kind of cold come fall.

Plus, acetate (the material used in most non-metal sunglasses) frames tend to come in chunkier styles that look better with your substantial fall layers.

You can check out my post about some of the best men’s sunglass brands to find out where to get well made shades that are worth your money.

If you’re less concerned about the brand name and more interested in the shape and style of the frames, you might want to skip right to my post about the most classic men’s sunglass styles to see a few of the most stylish options available.

Where to Get Men’s Sunglasses:

Newsboy Cap

Jason Statham wearing a newsboy cap in The Expendables

The newsboy cap is a perfect way to look casual and cool (while, ironically, keeping your head warm).

It’s the preferred headgear of the Peaky Blinders, Statham’s Lee Christmas character in The Expendables and a host of real life style icons ranging from Brad Pitt and Jon Hamm to Daniel Craig, Ryan Reynolds and countless others.

Pair it with a black leather jacket and/or a chunky sweater like Statham does here, and you’ll be able to go pretty much anywhere in style and comfort.

Where to Get Newsboy Caps:

Facial Hair

Chris Evans with a beard on a talk show
The owner of America’s ass also has a pretty enviable beard

Alright, fine:

So facial hair isn’t an “accessory,” per se.

But sporting a little scruff always makes you look more masculine, especially when paired with fall’s warmer and more rugged fabrics.

Handsome Hack:

Consider keeping your razor in the medicine cabinet this season and switching to an electric razor instead.

I’ve been using this one from Wahl for years and love the way it leaves the perfect amount of stubble after each shave.

And if you need a little help getting your manly mane growing, check out our full guide on how to grow your beard faster.

Where to Get Facial Hair:

In my personal experience? Irish and Italian ancestors.

But if you need a little help, we’ve put together a wealth of beard-growth guides that can help get your whiskers growing:


More Resources ↓
More Men’s Style Advice from Irreverent Gent:
More Fall Fashion Essentials from Around the Men’s Fashion World:
Banner photo: Lipstock Media / Shutterstock; Illustration: Irreverent Gent

About Dave Bowden

Dave Bowden

Founder, Irreverent Gent
Author, Man in Command and Stop Doubting, Start Dating
Writer, Really Wordy Author Bios

Dave Bowden is a style blogger, menswear expert and best-selling author (in Canada—but still!) whose advice on how to look good and live well has been featured in New York Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, Men's Health and more.

When not obsessing over style and self-improvement, he can usually be found spending time with his wonderful wife and two amazing sons, indulging in a hoppy craft beer, or sobbing over the woeful state of Toronto's sports teams.

Check out Dave's Style Story to find out how a chance encounter with his friend's step-dad taught him the value of looking good and living well (don't worry—it's less creepy than it sounds!), or email him at [email protected] if you want to get in touch.

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