There’s no avoiding it anymore. Fall is here. Take a deep enough breath and you can practically smell the aroma of pumpkin-spiced latte drifting through the damp autumnal air. But as sad as it is to bid farewell to the summer, fall brings a fresh sartorial perspective. It’s a season of change, and that goes for your wardrobe, too. So instead of moping around grieving the loss of your tan, why not get stuck into updating your cold-weather wardrobe instead?

There’s plenty to get your proverbial teeth sunk into this season, from new emerging trends and the pieces propping them up to classic fall essentials that may be missing from your collection for one reason or another. Now is the time to take stock, see what’s new and update accordingly, just in time for the plummeting temperatures.

Ready to get stuck in and ease your seasonal woes with a spot of retail therapy? Good. Here are the pieces you should be adding to your list for fall 2024.

Big Overcoat

Oversized coats are back on the menu, and we couldn’t be happier. These floor-dusting outer layers make autumn dressing a breeze, instantly adding a touch of class to any outfit. We’re particularly fond of ones with a bit of texture in the fabric and a classic pattern running through. Houndstooth, tweed and flecked wool are all excellent options.

Fit is critical here, so make sure your chosen coat is big enough to fit a couple of layers underneath without hindering your range of motion. We’d suggest layering it up with a nice thick hoodie or, for a slightly more mature look, a chunky roll-neck sweater.

Fuzzy Cardigan

Todd Snyder

It’s the bizarre menswear trend that won’t go away. We’re not even sure it can still be called a trend at this point. Suffice to say fuzzy, hairy knitwear is very much still an option this year, and if you go for a cardigan – particularly one with a nice jazzy pattern – you’ll improve your layering game tenfold.

Not only are these cardigans extremely warm and great at trapping body heat, but their unusual texture also adds a unique visual element to your autumn outfits. We like them best in dark floral patterns like those offered by Japanese mainstays like Needles and Beams Plus.

Heavy Flannel

The Real McCoys

Few garments can rival the heavy flannel shirt when it comes to autumn-essential status. These things have been forming the backbone of men’s cold-weather casualwear for aeons, and if you don’t own one already, why not?!

A heavyweight flannel is great because it’s really two pieces rolled into one. It’s an outer layer akin to a light jacket when the temperature is mild, but it doubles up as a layering tool to be worn between a T-shirt or sweater and a more substantial winter coat when the weather takes a turn.

This versatility means it’s good for three out of four seasons. Talk about getting your money’s worth.

Wool Overshirt

Tailor Store

The overshirt is a year-round garment – something you can call on at any time of year, no matter what the weather is doing. But that’s only true if you adapt it to the season. For example, a thin cotton overshirt is great for the summer, but when things start to cool down, you need something a bit more substantial at your disposal—something like a wool version.

A wool overshirt has the same classic look and vibe as a cotton overshirt, but it’s warmer, and the textured fabric gives it a slightly elevated feel. This makes it great for pairing with dressier pieces, but that’s not to say it won’t be equally happy slumming it with jeans and sneakers.

It is truly one of the most versatile fall pieces there is and a must-have for any self-professed, well-dressed man.

Fleece Jacket

Foret

Looking for a way to make your fall outfits a little more interesting? Texture is key, and a fleece jacket is the perfect vehicle for working it into all sorts of outfits. Warm, cosy, comforting and on-trend, a thick-pile fleece jacket in a light neutral colour will work wonders for your layering game while giving your fits a focal point at the same time.

There are loads of brands making fantastic versions, but our favourites are Patagonia, Wax London, Kapital and Carhartt WIP.

Cosy House Shoes

Mulo

Staying indoors becomes much more appealing as soon as fall begins to rear its pumpkin-spiced head, and anything that will allow you to do so in increased comfort is a winner in our book.

House shoes boomed in popularity during lockdown for obvious reasons, but the trend hasn’t really died down since. Birkenstocks are still some of the best-selling options out there, but there are loads of other brands you may not have heard of making equally cosy options that aren’t quite so ubiquitous.

We’d recommend checking out Subu, Bedrock and Plakolm for something a little different.

Heavyweight Hoodie

Pangaia

Need we say more? Everyone knows what a staple a good hoodie is, and selecting a heavyweight version is a great idea for tackling colder weather. If you want to keep it on trend, go for something a little boxy and/or cropped in the body.

Camber is one of our favourite brands for basic heavyweight hoodies, offering no-frills pieces made in the USA and built to take a beating.

Quilted Liner Vest

P&Co

Forget the finance-bro Patagucci gilet. There’s a cooler, less played-out and similarly insulating option you should try instead. It’s called a quilted liner vest, and it’s specifically designed for slotting underneath your outerwear of choice to keep you nice and warm without adding too much bulk.

The really great part is that it actually looks pretty great on its own, especially if you choose a bold colour, like orange, for a splash of seasonal colour.

These things have been around for a long time, so you can usually find some great versions in thrift shops. If you’d prefer to buy new, we suggest starting with brands like Arket, Gramicci and Danton.

Loose Pleated Pants

Slowear

Allow us to let you in on one of the menswear industry’s best-kept secrets: presentable pants don’t have to be uncomfortable. Shocking, right? They can be every bit as easy and breezy to move around in as a pair of sweatpants. Don’t believe us? Well, clearly you haven’t experienced the miracle of legwear that is a loose-fitting pair of pleated pants.

Pleated pants have been around for decades, but they’ve been surging in popularity lately thanks to renewed interest in mid-century tailoring. If you’ve been thinking about switching your legwear up, this is a good way to do it. Just make sure to get the fit on point, and if in doubt, pay a visit to the tailor.

Thin Leather Belt

COS

We usually advocate for getting pants adjusted so that they can be worn without a belt, but thin leather belts are trending hard for men at the moment, and we think they’re an accessory worth adopting for the fall/winter season.

These belts look great with wide pants, like the aforementioned pleated variety, and they work wonders with a pair of straight-leg jeans, too. To fully embrace the trend, we suggest going for a Western-style version with a decorative buckle.