The new(ish) rules to live by when considering your seasonal wardrobe.
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This is your year. The year you score that big workplace promotion, nail the first date, rocket into TikTok stardom that’s tied to a veryniche hobby. Whatever you’re aspiring to, really. Of course, you’ll need some help, first. The whole look-good, feel-good situation is no joke. And with fall — you remember fall, right? — on the horizon, it’s time to start considering exactly which fall style essentials you’ll need to round out your seasonal wardrobe.
Pick up a pair of formal sneakers is the office hack you didn’t know you needed
What Constitutes an Essential?
You could, of course, make the case that virtually any garment is essential (to varying degrees of success). But we’re forgoing essentials in the typical sense of the word — we’re inclined to label the sock and underwear categories under basics anyway. Instead, we’ve identified staples based on their seasonal functionality and overall versatility within what we consider to be the complete fall wardrobe. To go without the article — be it a cozy pair of relaxed denim or a hardwearing chukka boot, reimagined — would be to deprive yourself of a fundamental and overall easier way to get dressed this fall.
Taking into account the new era of sartorial excellence, we’ve planted our flag and boldly identified a variety of stylish staples, from trail shoes to selvedge denim to the trusty chore coat, that men should not go without this fall. From a gamut of designers that includes everyone from Todd Snyder to Thom Browne, these are the fall essentials for men that are…well, essential.
No more skinny jeans. And retire those slim-fits, too. That being said, your new pair of jeans doesn’t have to be excessively baggy. A pair of relaxed-fit, dressy denim from Todd Synder should do the trick nicely.
In years past, we might have directed you to a crisp white sneaker, but times have changed. The bulky trail shoe isn’t just a trend-endorsed selection, but functionally sound for fall weather, too. Canadian brand Norda’s are particularly puddle-busting, with a cushy footbed to boot.
Yes, yes, an oxford has been an essential pretty much as long as essentials have been a thing. This year, though, we’re suggesting you splash out for something a bit more luxe than your average OCBD, like this dreamy Thom Browne joint. After all, the devil’s in the details.
Fall is colloquially know as shorts-and-hoodie season (to us, at least), and a pair of cut-off cords is the best to show off the gams in true autumnal fashion.
Pack away the airy riverian knits — it’s time for a polo that can double as a fur coat. For our money, Japanese label Beams+ makes some of the best, with a patented sense of modern ivy that you just can’t find elsewhere.
We’re living in a post-sneaker world, dog. No more drops or collabs — just grab a pair of Noah’s fresh leather kiltie loafers and wear them every day for the rest of your life.
While J.Crew’s newest regular-fit chino is a perfectly acceptable option for the size-wary men in the chat, we’re still enamored with the giant-fit version for its sheer girth and acres of Nonno-esque charm.
Leave your banker blues at the door — in this economy, a casual grey suit should handle every social event that comes your way, from office parties to fashion shows.
Like oxfords, Chukka’s have been a firm part of the fall rotation for decades, and, like oxfords, we’re recommending you finally make the jump to something a little more…bespoke. Yuketen makes the best handsewn footwear in the biz, and their Main Guide Chukka total is a vision in leather.
We've put in the work researching, reviewing and rounding up all the shirts, jackets, shoes and accessories you'll need this season, whether it's for yourself or for gifting purposes. Sign up here for weekly style inspo direct to your inbox.
Paolo Sandoval is Commerce Editor at InsideHook, having previously contributed to Valet Mag. An expert when it comes to vintage denim, soccer kits and tailoring, Paolo reports on style, grooming, wellness, menswear trends, celebrity, media and other pursuits tangential to looking and feeling like a million bucks, and is the voice behind the InsideHook fashion newsletter, The Stitch. You can reach him at psandoval@insidehook.com.
