Spencer Finley, Staff Writer
sjf5814@psu.edu

If you are like me, you are probably extremely excited about the onset of the fall season. Fall provides a great opportunity to introduce more layering into your wardrobe, which is much more difficult during the Summer because of the heat. While Winter also makes us layer up, these layers tend to be hidden under massive coats most of the time, and while Spring is another temperate season, the colors of fall are earthier and richer than the colors of spring. So while both are seasons with a moderate temperature, fall has a feeling all its own that is simply unmatched by any other season. These are a few items that you should consider incorporating into your wardrobe this fall.

Boots:
Boots are essential for a stylish fall wardrobe. Chelsea boots, chukka boots, Doc Martens, jump boots or even just a pair of work boots are all great options for fall footwear. In terms of color, while black is very in vogue, it is generally too dark and flat to harmonize well with other parts of the wardrobe. A medium brown, dark brown, or oxblood will look better than black in most instances.

Shoes:
Aside from boots, there are several other stylish options for footwear. Penny and tassel loafers, single and double monk straps, derby shoes with broguing and either a plain or cap toe, oxfords- also with either a plain or cap toe and any amount of broguing you find appealing- and dress sneakers are all great options for the stylish man. A dress sneaker, by the way, is not the kind of shoe that looks like it was borne of the unholy union between a running shoe and a dress shoe; it is instead a low-top leather sneaker with a sleek profile, yet that is still distinctly a sneaker. These should not be paired with too formal an outfit, despite being called dress sneakers; as a general rule of thumb, these should never appear with anything more formal than a sport coat and chinos. As with boots, shoes should ideally be bought in medium-to-dark brown or oxblood; however, shoes in fun colors like green, blue, or yellow can make fantastic additions to outfits, although they are less versatile than more muted and neutral colors.

Pants:
A stylish fall wardrobe can have quite a wide variety of pants. Chinos, corduroys, and jeans can all be worn stylishly. Chinos can be worn in many colors- they can look good in colors ranging from mustard to burgundy to olive green. They also look good in more neutral colors, like khaki and brown. Just like with shoes, I would advise avoiding black. Not only does it look less good, but black pants will never stay black and will always look far more worn than they are- not to mention that they will pick up every single hair or piece of debris produced in the past four million years. Corduroys follow these same guidelines. Jeans look best in plain, blue denim with a dark wash and no artificial distressing, and they should be neither too skinny nor too tight- something like a Levi’s 501 looks best.

Shirts:
There are a few different kinds of shirts that belong in a stylish fall wardrobe. Dress shirts, oxford cloth button-downs, rugby shirts, flannels, and henleys are all great options for a stylish outfit. These can be purchased in almost any color, but as with shoes and pants, I would avoid black shirts- otherwise, they can look good in most colors.

Jackets and Sweaters:
Fall is a spectacular time because it allows for a wide variety of light jackets and sweaters to be worn. Blazers, sports coats, Harrington jackets, pullover sweaters, turtlenecks, zip-necks, and cardigans are all wonderful options. In my own wardrobe, an item I wear that gets compliments every time I wear it is a piece of clothing that many people would never contemplate buying- a federal fatigue blouse. It is a quite relaxed jacket made from natural materials that have a dark blue color and brass buttons; it cost me less than a hundred dollars and was hand-made here in PA by a company out of Gettysburg called NJ Sekela, and is just the right weight for a chilly fall evening.

Coats:
Later in the season, a good wardrobe will include at least one stylish coat to keep you warm as temperatures drop. A great coat, a pea coat, and a trench coat are three classic options that are warm, dry, and extremely stylish.

Outfit ideas:
I have included two ideas for outfits that can be put together with the various items that I listed above so that you can see what exactly is possible with them.

No. 1:
A pair of dark brown chukka boots, a pair of camel chinos, a white oxford-cloth button-down, and a mid-brown cardigan. This outfit works because the different colors of brown lend a variety to the look that a single shade of brown would not be able to achieve; they are also far apart enough in hue to avoid the awkward near match of color that drives people insane. Further, the difference in texture between the subtle twill of the chino and the more coarse knit of the sweater adds another layer of differentiation. For a variation on this outfit, consider substituting the cardigan for a fatigue blouse or adding a scarf.

No. 2:
Oxblood tassel loafers, dark purple corduroys, a white oxford cloth button-down, and a light brown tweed sport coat. This is an outfit that might strike some as being grandpa-esque or professorial. However, just because it is something that an old man or a professor might wear does not stop it from being stylish. The cord of the corduroy and the weave of the tweed help to accentuate the contrast between the somewhat dark purple and the lighter tweed jacket, and the white oxford cloth button-down provides a plain background that allows for the two more noticeable and grabby pieces of the outfit to shine. Alternatively, you could wear this outfit with a pair of Chelsea boots or double monk straps in oxblood or dark brown, or you could substitute the sport coat for a sweater of a similar color.