With the changing of the leaves, the ushering in of the fall season suggests a celebration for all those into clothing as it’s finally time to layer up. From flannels, to cardigans, to hoodies, the colder climate invites the addition of more clothing to combat the freeze. However, as it is still not winter, it can be confusing at times as to what is appropriate to wear. Thus, this list serves as a guide for those who have found themselves in this pickle.
Knitwear
Though perhaps an obvious suggestion, the need for knitwear is imperative to the autumnal aesthetic. It is time to give the terry cloth hoodies and crewnecks a break and pull out some natural-fiber pieces. From cable knit to fair isle, and from shetland to cashmere to lambswool, there are a variety of styles one can try on.
Fully cotton sweaters are great for the more transitional days where it is not too cold, but just cold enough. Chunky wool cardigans are the perfect piece to throw on to elevate a typical summer outfit of jeans and a graphic tee. In any case, knit wear is the perfect place to start with an autumnal wardrobe.
Leather Jackets
Historically, leather jackets have been associated with subcultures from bikers to punks, but given the proper silhouette, there is a kind of 90’s chic they give off that cannot be understated. A black or brown leather bomber jacket goes great over pretty much any piece of clothing and immediately invokes an aesthetic harmony within an outfit. Whether being paired with more formal attire, or something more casual, one can pretty much never go wrong with a piece like this.
Corduroy
There is arguably nothing that screams autumn quite like a corduroy piece of clothing. The fabric itself is known for being a heavier cotton weave than something like a pair of chinos but still as breathable. Similar to knitwear, the varieties in corduroy are vast enough to explore for days.
The direction of the fabric, and the distance between the signature wales or lines of corduroy, can be very exciting to play with. Not to mention the colors that they often come in. Whether it is a corduroy jacket in the vein of something Bob Dylan would’ve worn or some corduroy pants, they seamlessly transition one into the cooler temperatures.
Sport Coats
Though blazers historically refer to coats in navy with gold buttons, they are what most people refer to a sport coat as. That being said, however they are to be labeled, they are a must wear for fall. From houndstooth to herringbone, the patterns sports coats can come in vary greatly. Whether it’s a classic Irish tweed or simply wool, a sports coat is the one piece of clothing essential to elevating any outfit. One scroll on Pinterest shows exactly this, from the likes of Julia Roberts to Denzel Washington to Robin Williams, everybody was throwing them on and for good reason.
Scarves
An underrated avenue of clothing accessories is all things neckwear. Scarves in particular are oftentimes associated with a certain notion of class or geography, but they are the perfect way to add the final touch to an outfit. Whether it’s wool or silk, pashmina or plain, wide and long or thin and even longer, scarves can add a variety of dynamic and aesthetic interest.
Once one starts wearing scarves, a whole new world opens up. In the way to tie scarves, how to arrange them on an outfit and what to pair them with. They may not provide the full coverage of the head that a hoodie gives, but they’re much more fashionable.
Button-Downs
Most of the time, the button-down is associated with a formal setting. As t-shirts have become more popular in casual settings, and button-downs less so, it may feel a bit awkward to throw one on, but their style cannot be understated. A button-down shirt is simply a button-up shirt with a collar that has buttons to secure it in place.
In place of a t-shirt or long sleeve t-shirt, a button-down shirt provided much more dynamic interest with the introduction of collars and buttons. The amount one chooses to leave open in the shirt, the shape and size of the collar and whether it’s popped up or down serves as a stellar replacement for what t-shirts lack in versatility. Not to mention the variety of colors and patterns they come in.
All in all, fall layering really means being comfortable and warm, while remaining breathable. Winter is the time to put on heavier coats and puffers, but fall suggests a time to remain mobile while having something a little extra on. Look to movies like “Hannah and Her Sisters” or “Fantastic Mr. Fox” for further inspiration, and scroll Pinterest for more ideas. Fall is the perfect opportunity to experiment with style.
