The Worst Men’s Fall Style Mistakes (And How to Fix Them)

Transitioning into fall dressing is never easy. In the ever-poignant words of Katy Perry, “you’re hot but you’re cold,” which makes selecting suitable clothing notoriously tricky. Add to this the fact that you’ve spent the last several months throwing on T-shirts and shorts without having to do a great deal of sartorial curation, and you’ve got a recipe for getting things wrong.

Luckily, it’s not as hard as it seems. As long as you steer clear of a few common errors, you can sidestep the seasonal pitfalls and slide seamlessly into the colder months looking your best. It’s partly about having the right garments, but also not overusing the wrong ones; being clever with fabrics, but not at the expense of style.

Below, we’ll run through some easily avoidable fall style mistakes we see again and again, year after year, and offer some advice on how to avoid them.

Cold-Weather Denial

Velasca

Most prevalent in the early autumn is the refusal to let go of summer. You’ll see guys shivering around town in shorts, undercooking their outerwear selection and generally looking like they’re stuck in September.

This one is easy: dress for the weather you have, not the weather you want. Check the forecast, and select your outfit accordingly. People get stuck in patterns of dressing and then struggle to flip when the time comes. There’s no shame in reaching for the trousers and a jacket before the real cold sets in.

Waterproof Confusion

Peregrine

All too often, we see people assuming a coat is waterproof only to be left wet and disappointed when the rain hits. It’s quite simple: if it doesn’t explicitly state that it’s waterproof, it isn’t. If you really want something that’s going to keep you bone dry in heavy rain, make sure it’s ‘waterproof’ – not water resistant, not water repellent.

That said, proper technical waterproofs tend to be overkill for around-town use. If you want to avoid looking like you’re off for a hike, your best bet would be to go for a trench coat or a waxed-cotton jacket and take an umbrella for backup.

Summer Sneakers

Salomon

Some sneakers aren’t meant to mingle with rain and dirty floors. Those white canvas plimsols might be great for milling around town in the sunshine, and they look the part with shorts, but once the weather shifts, you’re going to want something more substantial.

If you want your sneakers to see you through autumn and winter, consider factors such as colour, outsole and material. You need something versatile, grippy and easy to clean (or that won’t show the dirt) so that you aren’t left fretting at the mere mention of rain.

The ongoing gorpcore trend has brought some good options to the table in the form of functional footwear with Vibram soles and wipe-clean uppers. Take a look at the likes of Keen, Hoka and Salomon.

Poor Material Choices

Percival

You’ve been trying to keep cool all summer, but that’s no longer the goal, so choose materials accordingly. Instead, look for versatile midlayers that can be worn alone or layered on top of fleece, knits or cotton twill. You’ll also need some unlined outer layers that you can call upon when needed, such as denim, corduroy or wool.

Another thing to think about is texture. The colder weather brings with it fresh opportunities to create layered looks, so try to incorporate tactile elements to add depth and visual interest.

Lack Of Layering

Todd Snyder

Speaking of layering, don’t neglect it. Throwing a big coat over a T-shirt is fine, but you can do better.

A more stylish option that achieves the same goal of warmth, but with added adaptability, would be to layer a T-shirt with a knit, a quilted vest and an overcoat. This results in a much more interesting outfit, and you can remove/re-stack layers depending on the weather.

Premature Big Coat

Wax London

We understand the desire to reach for heavy outerwear as soon as the temperature shifts. After all, big coats are one of menswear’s finest pleasures. However, it’s probably just not cold enough yet, and you’re going to wind up a sweaty mess by the time you arrive at your desk in the morning.

Again, layering is your friend here, so ditch the parka for now and stick to light, versatile layers instead.

White Socks With Everything

London Sock Co

There’s more to life than white crew socks, and when the cold sets in, it’s a good time to embrace more autumnal options. White is classic, but there are endless alternatives out there that are far more interesting and can add a subtle visual flourish to your fall outfits.

We’re big fans of Japanese sock brands such as Anonymous Ism and RoToTo, who have perfected the art of making cosy cool. There are many styles and colours to choose from, ranging from simple block hues in heavy knits to fairisle patterns, flecked yarns, and even tie-dye.

Overzealous Layering

Wax London

Layering is a great tool, but don’t overdo it. Light layers work best in fall conditions, so leave the parkas, down vests and thick-pile fleece to the polar explorers for now.

Instead, focus on relatively light layers that work well alone on warmer days or can be brought together when that autumnal chill is in the air. Think overshirts, light outerwear and knitwear.

Bad Colour Coordination

Wax London

More layers mean more colours, which means more opportunities to get things wrong. If in doubt, opt for a neutral palette with navy, dark green, and monochrome tones.

But as far as we’re concerned, it would be rude not to incorporate a few autumnal shades. We’re talking burnt orange, browns, burgundy and gold.

Don’t go creating entire outfits with them, but mixing in the odd flash here and there can bring looks to life by echoing the mood of the season.