The Fall Guy

Football is season is here; the kids are back in school; and the days are getting shorter.  All of this means that the fall is just around the corner.  You can feel it in the air; the night air at least.  After spending the summer dressing to deal with heat and humidity, the fall allows you stretch your sartorial legs.  So with that, here are a few things I’m looking forward to wearing as the temperature begins its annual decline. 

Tweed

I’ve always liked tweed and it’s making a strong comeback this year.  From jackets, to three-piece suits to overcoats, there is about to be an explosion of tweed.  You can’t go wrong with the always appropriate Harris Tweed variety but the new tweed has a modern cut and is more comfortable to wear.  For work, I match my tweed jacket with wool pants.  It looks great in the office any day of the week.

Wool Plaid Neckties

A wool plaid necktie is unique.  I like to stand out a bit at work so putting one on adds texture and color to my outfit.  Furthermore, these ties tend to run on the skinny side so they also lend a contemporary feel to an otherwise standard work uniform.  There is a wide variety of wool plaid ties in department stores this year but for some really cool color combinations, shop online.

Fall Colors

When fall arrives, the changing leaves provide a colorful backdrop and I like to add some of these colors to my wardrobe.  This year I plan to stick to the darker shades of green and orange for work and complimentary colors such as the purple sweater vest above from Banana Republic.

Incorporating these trends into my fall wardrobe is easy, but I won’t wear them all at the same time.  I want to stand out at work, but not that much. 

Have a fall item you're looking forward to wearing?  Leave a comment below and let me know!

The Classic Khaki Pant

Khaki pants or chinos to be more exact have become a scapegoat in men’s fashion.  Some think of khakis as a must-have like underwear while others equate their rise in popularity with the demise of proper men’s attire.  A salesman at Nordstrom told me once that he won’t even buy a pair of khakis out of fear that he may actually wear them.

Historians note that the U.S. Army adopted khaki uniforms in 1898 and the popularity of the color and fabric spread within the military and among civilians.  It is only fitting then that khakis became part of a new uniform, the casual day ensemble.

But khakis don’t have to be relegated to casual Fridays.  They look great with a cotton button down shirt and a cotton jacket and since the fabrics are all the same, the outfit will look cohesive.  Add the necktie of your choice and you’ve got another polished look for work. 

This look works all year.  Just make sure your jacket and necktie are seasonally appropriate and don’t forget to iron those khakis!