The Fall/Winter season is upon us once again. The humidity in the air is turning into a brisk chill, the leaves are changing colors, and the layers of clothing are starting to pile on. The time has come to refill and renew our wardrobes with sweaters, long sleeve shirts, pants and jackets. Fall is one of the most exciting seasons for men's fashion in that it presents a great deal of variety - the cooling weather and tendency towards warmer and more classic colours can present a challenge that we'll have to examine in order to find a wardrobe that fits the change of seasons.
The first addition to any gentleman's wardrobe for the fall and winter seasons is an investment in a leather jacket, either half-length, bomber-style, or three-quarter-length. A brown leather jacket would be a premium recommendation in that brown brings a distinct note of style into your overall look and seperates you from the legions of men who simply always opt for the severe looking, and much more common, black jacket. A chocolate brown leather simply ages more gracefully than its darker cousin, and adds a vintage flair. Brown also co-ordinates much better with most jeans, sweaters, and shirts that will be presented to you in the cooler seasons.
Many men see turtlenecks as an article they would rather see their girlfriends wearing, but turtlenecks have actually returned to men's fashion with a vengeance. There is nothing better on a cold, fall/winter day, and turtlenecks are sophisticated and dressy enough to wear to the office for dress-down Fridays.
The neck of the mock neck is only slightly higher than a crew neck, but only a third as high as a turtleneck. If you're not used to wearing turtlenecks just yet, you can give yourself a gradual change with the mock neck. These can also be worn under a suit for those chillier days.
True to its name, the neck of this sweater is v-shaped. You can even wear a button-down shirt under this style of sweater, as the collar will be exposed under the V-neck.
Of course, button-down shirts are still around in top form, but a new style of pullover is made of flannel, fleece or felted wool. These are basically regular knits and can be found in a zip-up style, a zipper collar or a hood. The soft fabric of these shirts can be found in dressy styles, as well as more casual ones.
As for fabrics, many sweaters are being offered in wool. If you find wool uncomfortable, you can find sweaters in merino wool, cashmere or mohair, for a softer, almost silky touch -- but these can be more pricey, especially cashmere. You can also find cotton sweaters, which are comfortable and easier to care for. As for patterns, the only one seen on sweaters this fall is stripes, if there is a pattern at all. Rather than patterns, sweaters and knits are either cable knit or ribbed.
Like sweaters, many pants presently being shown in magazines and stores are made of wool, or for a more casual pair of pants, felted wool. For a purely casual look, pants with bungee cords at the bottom of each leg is still in style, carrying over from this summer. While paratrooper pants are still considered fashionable, the same cannot be said for cargo pants. This look was milked for all it was worth this past summer, and is gradually being phased out. While jeans are the ultimate in casual wear, if you want to look stylish this season, go for denim. Denim has made a tremendous comeback this past year, in every shape and form. When it comes to jeans, vintage, washed-out denim is this season's trend.
With Labor Day having passed, not only has summer officially seen its end, but so has the color white. If you thought that this summer's colors were strange, wait 'till you get a look at the palette of colors showing up in fashion magazines, fashion shows and stores. Traditionally, an eye for colour will benefit any gentleman concerned with style.
The stylish colors of the season are:
red
burnt orange
maroon, burgundy
purple
khaki green
The colors that are mentioned above can be worn under black, gray and navy suits. While gray suits are still all the rage, gray knits, shirts and sweaters are no longer as trendy. As big as gray was 2 years ago, it isn't making such a presence in the fashion industry this year.
As for accessories, a scarf, worn rather rakishly in the earlier months of fall or perhaps more pragmatically during the bitter cold of a northern winter! Scarves can add a level of distinction and personality to a wardrobe that is often afforded to the wearer via a necktie – it is a centerpiece of the outerwear collection and is something that immediately catches the eye of the passerby.
A wool or cotton scarf is recommended, as silk tends to look rather foppish or effete when worn by most men – and as for colour, the primary suggestion is to either find a tone in the scarf that would tie in nicely with your most commonly worn coat, or simply a scarf that catches your eye and that you rather like. Remember, when it comes to accessories such as scarves and neckties, they are showcases for your sense of style and personality – choose accordingly!
Finally, a trip to the store to find a new cologne would be prudent unless one is allergic or commonly present around others who are. A signature cologne (or two, or four) leaves an impression, a mental imprint on the minds of those you associate with casually, romantically, and professionally. Properly paired and applied, cologne exhibits to people that you care about your personal grooming and make an effort when it comes to presenting yourself.
While these are the styles for this year's fall season, you don't have to renew your whole wardrobe in order to be fashionable. The trick is to keep some of your older clothes (the articles that you love), and revamp those outfits with the new clothes of this season. That way, you'll still be making use of your older clothes, while sprucing them up with new pieces -- and looking as stylish as ever while you're at it.
As always, we look forward to visiting with you soon. Our new selections this autumn season of change await you.
Warmest personal regards,
Thomas Daskalos
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