fall style guide for the guys
as mentioned in part one of your fall style guide, i love fall fashion. it’s the season with the most room to play — with layers, color, pattern, accessories, and textures. it’s also, in my opinion, the easiest season to get dressed. you can throw on the simplest outfit and still look cozy, put together, and effortlessly cool just by adding a few key details. it’s also my favorite time of year to thrift and shop vintage — for sweaters, jackets, and fun accessories.
in part one, i focused on how i build my fall wardrobe and shared styling inspiration and tips for the girls, or those who dress more feminine. this time, i’m turning the focus to menswear. another thing about me: i love menswear. dressing for the cooler months — for the guys, or anyone who leans toward a more masculine style — can be simple, timeless, and still just as creative and fun.
if you haven’t yet, i recommend reading my post on the foundational wardrobe — my take on building a wardrobe using a mix of “foundational” and “fun” pieces. this applies for everyone.
to sum it up, your wardrobe should be a balance of “foundational” items — the essentials or core pieces you build your outfits around — and “fun” items — the pieces that bring personality and individuality to your outfit. this balance looks different for everyone, depending on your personal taste, lifestyle, and preferences for color, fit, and silhouette.
let’s start with your foundational pieces. these will vary from person to person, but i like to keep them simple and versatile. think white and black tees, classic denim, a good pair of sneakers — the pieces you reach for most often and can easily mix and match. for some, foundational pieces might include more color or pattern, depending on what feels true to their style. these are the building blocks of your wardrobe — items that can transition from season to season with just a few additions or swaps depending on the weather.
if i were to build a fall foundational wardrobe for a man, here’s what it would look like:
- white and black loose fitting tees (short and long sleeve)
- loose fitting jeans in blue and black
- black and/or gray trousers
- a black or gray cotton pant
- simple crew neck sweaters
- polo shirts
- a classic button down
- a fleece jacket or quarter zip
- a bomber jacket
- a trench coat
- hats
- belts
- a classic loafer
- a white sneaker
- a clog
once you’ve built the foundation of your wardrobe, it’s time to add the fun pieces — the ones that feel most you. these are the items that bring personality and interest to your outfits, where you can really get creative and play with your style. think cool vintage jackets, patterns or pops of color, unique hats, or experimenting with different fits and silhouettes. the key to fall dressing — and yes, this applies to menswear too — is layering and accessorizing. throw an interesting jacket or sweater over a simple tee, add a statement belt or a hat, and suddenly your outfit feels intentional and effortless.
as i’ve mentioned, fall is my favorite time to thrift. in general, i like to invest in new foundational pieces and thrift or shop vintage for my fun ones. shopping secondhand lets you find cool, one-of-a-kind pieces that no one else has, while experimenting with your style in a more sustainable way. if you do choose to shop new, be intentional — only buy what truly feels missing from your closet and what you’ll wear beyond just this season. always look for high-quality, well-made items that will last.
here are some things to keep an eye out for when thrifting or shopping secondhand this fall:
- fleece jackets, pullovers, vests
- flannels
- polo shirts
- cool jackets
- sweaters
- graphic tees
- denim
- button downs
- hats
- belts
once you have your perfectly curated fall wardrobe — a balance of timeless staples and fun pieces — it’s time to start putting together outfits. i find it helpful to have a few go-to outfit formulas or combinations that make getting dressed feel easy. here are a few ideas to get you started:
- crew sweater over a white tee, pant, sneaker
- cardigan, tee, pant, loafer
- polo shirt, jeans
- monochromatic outfit, hat, sneaker
- long sleeve tee, jeans
- sweater, vest, pant
- button down, pant, clog
- tee, jeans, jacket
- long coat, sweater, pant, hat
fall dressing should be fun — experiment with your style, play with layers, accessories, textures, and color. here’s a few key styling tips to keep in mind:
- invest in your staples: base layers, bottoms, outwear, and shoes.
- play with layers: start with your foundational pieces to build an outfit, then add layers like jackets, sweaters, and cardigans to bring depth and warmth.
- accessorize intentionally: your accessories can really make an outfit — add belts, hats, bags to make a simple outfit feel more complete and interesting.
- embrace fall colors & textures: lean into earthy tones like brown, tan, navy, and green, and play with textures like denim, leather, wool, or suede.
- don’t forget shoes: shoes are an easy way to add a pop of color or interest to your outfit.
the mood board for fall outfit inspo:
if you want, you can shop some of my suggested foundational items for your wardrobe on my shopmy.