Temperatures are dropping and if you’re anything like me—you’re rejoicing. Not only does it mean we all get to stop sweating through every piece of clothing we own, it also means fall outfit season is upon us.
Plaid shirts! Corduroy pants! Turtlenecks! Oh my!
Truly, the possibilities for staying cozy while looking cool in the fall (and winter!) are absolutely endless.
But just as dressing in the summer poses its own challenges—like facing the eternal question: How short is too short when it comes to shorts?!—I know that putting together stylish fall outfits for men can be tricky, too.
Maybe you’re thinking: How do I stay warm without looking bulky? How can an outfit go from braving the elements outside to looking effortlessly sophisticated indoors?
The bottom line? You want to know how to look and feel your best in fall.
I’ve got one word for you: layering.
I know, that sounds simple. Suspiciously simple, even.
After all, everyone layers their clothes when the weather cools down.
Maybe you throw a sweatshirt over a t-shirt, so if you get too toasty you can take it off later. Or you add a quilted vest under your coat when raking the leaves.
But you’re here because you want to dress with more intentionality than just, “This plus this will keep me warm.”
You want your fall outfits to be both functional and stylish.
Which is great! Making an effort with your style without letting it take over your life is what I’m here to help with.
Today, that means showing you how to wear layers with style.
Below, 3 tips for how to wear layers, along with 18 (!!) stylish fall outfit ideas for men:
1. The best colors for men’s fall outfits come from fall foliage
When it comes to how to wear layers, one way to get it right is by wearing similar colors in your outfit. While mixing and matching can feel overwhelming, it doesn’t have to be.
You want to look cool, not like a Crayola box. I get it!
Thankfully, there’s an easy way to nail fall color combinations in your outfits: Just look to the trees.
Think about it. You’ve never seen a tree in September or October and thought to yourself, Yikes, that looks hideous!
From green to yellow to orange to red to brown, trees are a sight to behold when the leaves start turning colors in fall.
So, to achieve a look that’s both effortless and luxe, simply incorporate any and all fall tree leaf colors into your outfit!
In general, warm colors like burgundy and burnt orange are great for fall.
What’s more, they pair super easily with neutrals like navy and tans, which makes them really easy to pair back to denim or chinos. They also layer great with tan sweaters or brown jackets.
Olive green and red is another absolutely lush fall color combination.
Mix in soft neutrals like a camel-colored overcoat, and you’re good to go.
2. Work from thin to thick with your outfit layers
This sounds pretty straightforward, right? Thinnest layers go closest to your body, then work outwards.
In this case, a t-shirt goes under a sweater, which goes under a wool shacket. Wearing your lightest layer closest to your body means that you don’t create unnecessary bulk as you build out an outfit.
This also means that the tried and true fall staple of many men’s youth—a short sleeve shirt layered over a long-sleeve shirt—no longer flies. Sorry not sorry!
For your thickest top layers, think: chunky fisherman knit sweaters, fuzzy tweeds, sturdy waxed barn jackets…
Really, anything Robert Redford would wear in a movie set in New England.
From there, just make sure each layer stands on its own in terms of thickness. If you’ve got a heavy fisherman’s sweater on, that should be your only layer of that weight and texture. So don’t layer, for instance, a half zip knit under a knit sweater. Or a wool chore coat under a wool peacoat.
Instead, think: t-shirt then sweater. Or chambray shirt then cardigan. And on and on.
3. When in doubt, go for one hero textured piece.
Here at Style Girlfriend, we’re in the business of making getting dressed easier. One way that’s basically fool-proof? Build your outfit around one statement piece that makes you feel like a million bucks.
In the fall, maybe it’s a luxurious cashmere cardigan, or your favorite corduroy pants. Or a great pair of wear-everywhere boots.
In the outfit above, that cotton sweater is a total star! So why not build an outfit around it?
And if you’ve worked with me as a client, then you’ve heard me praise the wonders of monochromatic dressing.
Wearing different shades of one neutral color creates a look that is simple and refined.
It is one of my favorite and one of the most surefire ways to elevate an outfit.
In this case, the luxe, off-white sweater sets the tone for the whole outfit. You go from looking casual to looking tailored and slightly more formal without appearing like you’re trying too hard.
This outfit formula is super simple because it allows you to build an outfit around pieces you already have.
This jacket makes such a statement. It looks and feels super-sturdy, and you can surprisingly dress it down or up easily.
Depending on the temperature, you could layer it over a button-down shirt like in the outfit above, a sweater, or a flannel shirt. Even a t-shirt or henley.
On the bottom, this jacket goes with jeans, twill or corduroy pants, or chinos. Feel free to mix it up and not just wear this jacket one way!
More men’s fall outfit inspo
Throw a wool shirt jacket over a deep red striped flannel shirt for an easy, stylish outfit.
Layer a denim or chambray shirt under an oatmeal-colored sweater. Finish the look with a “have it forever” jacket in leather or suede.
The ’90s are back, which means it’s time to pull that rollneck sweater you’ve had since Dawson’s Creek went off the air out of your closet.
More monochrome!
I never met a barn jacket I didn’t like. It’s the perfect top layer to any fall outfit.
There’s (almost) never a wrong time for plaid in the fall.
Pull out your dark denim to easily complement any fall outfit.
Fall style doesn’t have to be complicated. When you’re trying to figure out how to wear layers, adding a button-down denim shirt over a t-shirt is a great place to start.
Add your favorite fall jacket and you’re good to go.
Stay in the blue and black family for a sophisticated, easy fall outfit.
Ready to warm things up, literally and figuratively? Add a puffer vest, which really only makes sense for a few weeks each year. This is that time!
If you looked up “how to wear layers” in the dictionary, there would be a picture of this outfit.
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Yes, this is me, once again recommending monochromatic styling
One of the most wonderful things a cardigan or other knitwear brings to an outfit is texture! And by layering your knit with another piece that’s the same color but a different texture like a blazer or overcoat, you add so much interest and depth to your look.
Below, shop men’s fall style essentials:
faux sherpa trucker jacket, $198
watch cap, $50
wool Boston clogs, $155
flannel-lined waxed trucker jacket, $298
