For men, fall colors can help refresh the wardrobe while staying true to personal style. Busy schedules and chilly temperatures this time of year call for versatility. Luckily, you can create fall-inspired looks that effortlessly transition from the office to weekend outings.
The goal is to bring in seasonal colors and textures that give outfits a subtle fall feel. With a few tips, you can flex your capsule wardrobe into dozens of striking autumn looks.
In this guide, learn the best colors and pieces for a fall wardrobe and ways to style them.
What Colors Work Best in Men’s Fall Outfits
When the weather cools down, you may find yourself reaching for darker clothing. While lighter shades work great in spring and summer, dark neutrals and earth tones suit the colder seasons — these hues are a bit more traditional and sophisticated. But you don’t need a closet full of new clothes to make the shift. A few strategic color changes can have a big impact on your fall wardrobe.
Base Neutrals
Shades like ecru, navy, and charcoal work across seasons, so you won’t only reach for them in the fall. Plus, they’re easy to build outfits around. Choose these colors for anchor pieces like trousers, sweaters, and coats to set up a versatile rotation for everyday wear. Once you’ve locked in your neutrals, you can layer with accent colors that complement the look.
Earthy Tones
An earth tone palette captures the rustic side of fall. It fits an autumn aesthetic without venturing into bold, flashy territory. Chocolate and espresso brown work particularly well on knitwear, trousers, and leather accessories, while colors like burnt olive look best on jackets and overshirts.
You can wear earth tones as the focal point, like pairing a cream dress shirt with sage trousers, or use the shades to break up a more neutral outfit. For example, a chocolate brown sweater and charcoal trousers is a seasonal look that balances warm and cool shades.
Seasonal Accents
If your wardrobe is mainly subdued, fall is the perfect time to try out colors like burgundy, mustard, and plum. Wear these bolder hues in a crewneck, overshirt, or scarf rather than letting them dominate your whole look. Your best bet is to pair a seasonal color with a neutral base, such as a beige trench coat over a burgundy or terracotta sweater.
How To Build Casual Fall Outfits for Men
A combination of cozy layers and classic menswear creates a foolproof men’s fall look. Here’s how to build an outfit that’s equal parts comfortable and stylish.
Follow a Go-To Formula
While every fall outfit is different, these repeatable steps help you create a winning look every time:
- Wear layers that carry you through the day: A preppy cardigan or rustic leather jacket are adaptable layers when the weather is unpredictable or when you’re moving between indoor and outdoor locations.
- Choose pants that go with everything: Relaxed-fit jeans and chinos can mix and match with what you already have in your closet. Pair dark jeans with a crewneck sweater or cardigan for a casual weekend, or switch to chinos for the office.
- Make easy swaps for evening plans: The same chinos and cardigan can work for dinner and drinks, too. Just change up your outer layer (like a tidy overcoat) and add polished dress shoes, and your outfit will instantly feel more dressed up.
- Mix up the textures for more depth: Pair a smooth cotton shirt with a chunky knit cardigan, or style dark denim with a heavier wool sweater or overshirt. Different textures add visual interest and keep simple color combos from reading as one-dimensional.
Find Coordinating Shoes
The right shoes can make or break your fall look. Choose loafers to dress up chinos and a cardigan, or add a rustic edge with leather Chelsea boots when you’re wearing denim and heavy layers. Monochromatic sneakers can do the trick when you’re heading to casual plans with friends. This look is especially sleek if the sneakers are leather or have minimal branding.
Dress for Changing Weather
Fall fashion needs to work out in the real world, where the weather can change unexpectedly. That’s why you want layers you can easily add or remove — especially when crisp mornings and warm afternoons feel like two different seasons. A flannel shirt or lightweight field jacket offers that kind of flexibility without sacrificing appearance.
Best Fall Dress Clothes for Men
Fall is a good excuse to add character to your dressier, semi-formal outfits. But that doesn’t mean you have to chase all the latest men’s fall fashion trends. Choosing heavier fabrics and fall colors is enough to give your clothes a seasonal twist.
Incorporate Deeper Colors
One of the easiest ways to dress for fall is by embracing a richer color palette. A charcoal suit is a great alternative to light gray, while brown tones are a solid choice for blazers, trousers, and dress shoes. You can also introduce fall shades through your accessories, like pairing a navy suit with a wine-colored tie. If you keep the rest of the outfit understated, these fall tones can still adapt to a professional or formal setting.
Wear Fabrics With More Weight
Fabric can change your look as much as color. Wool suits, corduroy pants, and heavier dress shirts add warmth and interest but don’t make you look overdone. A wool blazer, for example, works with tailored trousers for the office or with chinos when you want a more relaxed vibe.
The key with autumn style is letting these colors and textures complement your closet. Classic tailoring in shades like charcoal, brown, and navy gives you plenty of options for work, fall weddings, and date nights that need a more elevated ensemble.
Fall Gear for Men: Jackets, Shoes, and Accessories
A timeless fall wardrobe has go-to pieces you can grab the second the weather cools down. The right jacket and accessories will mix in with what you already own and help you connect with the season in a natural way.
You don’t need a different jacket or pair of shoes for every look. A few quality, interchangeable pieces can create dozens of outfits that maximize your wardrobe’s potential.
Choose a Versatile Jacket
A leather jacket, bomber jacket, or wool overcoat gives a basic outfit structure and a little edge. Leather jackets are perfect to wear with straight-leg jeans and a pullover, whereas a bomber jacket looks best with chinos and a crewneck sweater. When you need something more refined, a wool coat pairs well with a blazer and trouser combo.
Cardigans can also pull double duty as a lightweight layer. Wear one over a T-shirt and jeans on casual days, or paired with chinos and a collared shirt for smart-casual office wear.
Add Seasonal Shoes and Accessories
Well-chosen accessories can make an outfit feel more seasonally appropriate. A leather belt and simple wristwatch add polish to jeans and a sweater — and a scarf in a fall shade can take a familiar outfit in a new direction. For footwear, leather boots, suede loafers, and minimalist sneakers should all be in your fall lineup. Go with boots or sneakers for more casual outfits, and loafers for the office or evenings out.
Shop Men’s Wearhouse for All Your Fall Essentials
Fall style comes together with versatile neutrals, earthy tones, and accents that work with the most-loved items in your closet. When you bring in seasonal colors and textures, your clothes take on a fresh autumn look that works in all types of settings.
And menswear staples like fitted trousers, cardigans, and crewnecks help you mix and match outfits all season long. You can build looks that go from the workplace to an after-work happy hour just by removing a layer or switching your shoes.
If you want to fill in the gaps in your fall rotation, browse Men’s Wearhouse for clothing and accessories that’ll enhance your seasonal style. From everyday layers to business casual essentials, you’ll find options that work for countless outfits and occasions.
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