As I write this draft on the last day of September, the high in Austin is 93º F (34º for my C friends).
Autumn—or fall if you’re feeling particularly American—is technically already here. There’s pumpkin spice in the lattes, candy in the seasonal aisle at the grocery store, and decorative gourds are starting to appear. But dammit if it’s not far too hot for fall fashion, at least here in Texas.
I love autumn and winter clothes. I live to layer, and yet, where I live even one layer can be too much of it darling, too much.
For those of you in cooler climes I’ve rounded up some of the things that I would love to be wearing when the temperatures drop. I want to wear sweaters, blazers, long coats, beanies, gloves, and scarves. I shouldn’t be buying any of these things, but maybe you can.
Layers and Layers of Wool
How I’m tryna be all winter (image via Drake’s)
Knitwear
Sweaters and sweatshirts have a ton of range in warmth and wearability. I want to be swaddled in shawl collars and cable knits, but I’m probably going to end up with mid-weight cottons and thin wools.
J. Mueser has an amazing cotton/linen cable knit in a perfectly fall rust color that will go beautifully with OCBDs, denim shirts, chinos, or cords. If the rust is too much for you, Jake’s got cream, olive, and navy options too. The cotton/linen blend will actually work for my weather systems, so don’t be surprised if the rust (and cream) make their way into my closet.
Options:
Donegal from Inis Meain, Cotton Indoorsman from The Armoury, Lambswool roll neck from Sunspel.
Tailoring
Autumn and winter suiting is the perfect opportunity to bring more texture into your tailoring. Flannels, tweeds, houndstooth (hounds…teeth?) can all have a place in a fall wardrobe. But tailoring doesn’t have to mean fussy suits. Jackets and suits that are more relaxed, or even not traditional suit cuts at all are a ton of fun.
The Drake’s grey wool flannel double breasted jacket (or full suit) pictured above is unlined and soft-shouldered keeping it from falling into “stuffy boardroom suit” territory.
Options:
I helped my dad pick out this gorgeous Sid Mashburn hopsack. It reads as a brown jacket from far away, and then when you get up close, the colors of the Glen Plaid can truly be appreciated. Billy Reid Corduroy Leo jacket to nail the cool professor vibes. J Crew has a few great options in cotton wool blend (and they’re on sale until tonight).
Outerwear
I love outerwear. Gimme chore, rider, field, puffy. I want to wear all the jackets. You’ll find me in a chore jacket until the wind picks up and then I reach for a Barbour to cut the chill.
Everyone needs a long coat in their closet. You can dress up denim and a sneaker to run errands on a brisk Saturday morning, or slip it on over a suit when you head out to dinner and the symphony. This Prince of Wales raglan coat is the perfect statement coat.
Options:
Le Laboureur French Wool Field Coat, 3Sixteen Type 3s, Billy Reid Bond peacoat
Odds and Ends
There are a few other things I would love to wear through the fall that don’t fit into the above categories. I’m mostly set on pants, but these donegal cords (and the matching jacket) from Wythe are incredible. It’s also probably time to up my scarf game. Now is the time to be thinking about gloves, these from Hestra should do nicely. And a lug sole chelsea is perfect for crunching through the leaves pickin’ punkin’s and dashing to dinner and drinks.
Caveat
I know I picked a lot of expensive examples, but you don’t have to spend a ton of money to look good this autumn. There are plenty of options out there that aren’t expensive. Use these ideas a guideposts for things you might like, then find whatever fits your budget. Outerwear and knits can be worth spending more on because, if taken care of, they’ll last you for years to come. Grailed, Poshmark, and Ebay are all great places to hunt for Barbours, chore coats, and even tailoring—but only if you confidently know your measurements.