Dappered

Affordable Men's Style

Fall Style Essentials – 2011

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With all due respect, Andy Williams is wrong.  The most wonderful time of the year, as far as men’s style is concerned, has leaves, not snow, falling from the sky.  That time of the year is finally about to get started.  Soon enough it’ll be time to stop sweating and start layering up.  Linen will get traded in for tweed.  And remember socks?

10 “essentials” follow and remember, as always these are suggestions.  What’s essential for someone in Seattle won’t be essential for someone in Phoenix.  Your additions to the list are more than welcome at the bottom of the page.
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1. The double breasted trench coat:  B.R. – $134.05* ($225) | Claiborne – $119.99 ($200)
Make sure it fits well too.

It’s not quite overcoat weather, but your lighter jacket won’t cover your blazer.  The answer is a trench.  Don’t be freaked out by the belt, you don’t have to wear it.  Some prefer the single breasted Mac jacket, but those can leave you looking a little boxy.  An ideal fabric would be partially cotton and partially nylon, but the B.R. proves an all poly can look great.
*Use the code BRGOODBYE for 30% off your entire BananaRepublic.com order.  Good only 9/6

 

2. A classic umbrella:  Totes Gentleman’s Umbrella – $16.00
Distinguished and under $20.

One of those tiny collapsible umbrellas is okay, but they’re tough to fit two people under.  A gigantic colorful golf umbrella is just comical.  Since these have been available through Macy’s for years at this kind of bargain, there’s no reason not to carry one or stow one in the trunk of your car.  If it looks like rain, take it.  You’ll look better with it in hand.

 

3. The grey tweedish blazer: Calibrate Trim – $112 ($225) | J. Crew FACTORY – $125* ($178)
In person reviews on both soon.

Of course brown hued tweed is classic, but a grey leaning charcoal wool or wool mix sport coat is a little cleaner and a little younger.  You can wear it with black pants, khaki chinos (as demonstrated in the Nordstrom photo above) and denim.  The Calibrate just went on sale for 50% off and should be a steal at just over $100.
*Use the code LOVEIT for an extra 30% off J. Crew Sale and FACTORY items.  Expires Friday 9/9

 

4. Tougher lace ups:  Kenneth Cole New York “Mind Tricks” – $62.49* ($158)
At $65, a scuff or two is welcome.

Rougher around the edges than your plain & smooth dress shoes.  Think of these as the winterized version of those suede bucs you wore all summer long.  Wear them casually and semi-dressed up everywhere and all the time.  Wingtip boots go in this category too.  The KCNY wingtip is already marked down and now gets an extra 50% off.
*The extra 50% off comes once you dump it in your cart, but the code WELCOME10 drops them to under $63 shipped.  Credit RaptorRapture for the extra cherry on top code. 

 

5. Rich Looking Gloves:  Black Brown 1826 Deerskin Driving Gloves – $40.32* ($72.00)
Not a fan of drivers? Look for a version with only the strap.

A blazer or sport-coat goes from top-most layer to full blown outerwear once you put on a pair of gloves.  If you’re headed out, consider leaving your coat at home or at least in the car.  Wear a blazer and take your gloves.
*Use the code LDAY for an extra 20-25% off sale and clearance.

 

6. A little bit of Orange, anywhere:  L.E.C. Poplin – $49.50icon | Personality Tie – $33.60*
Bright but still fall appropriate.

Don’t go full Syracuse with your orange, but it is a fall color.  When used in moderation it’ll breath life into an otherwise to drab wardrobe.  Multi colored check shirts are a good bet, as are wool based ties like this Italian made one available on Bonobos.  *Should be able to get it for $33.60, potentially, with the $40 for $80 deal gift certificate through GiltCity plus the code DAPPER.  (You’ll have $6.40 in credit left when it’s all said and done.)

 

7. Merino V-Neck Sweaters:  J. Crew Factory – $34.65* ($49.50)
Don't be afraid of subtle color.

The Banana Republic Silk Blend v-necks are terrific, but they’re expensive, and the V on those dips drastically low.  For a cheaper cooler weather pick, stick with Merino Wool.  Good from now till April.  It’s lightweight, it’s strong, and has minimal scratch.  Wait for a sale on versions from  J. Crew Factory and Express.
*And just like that, there’s a sale on the FACTORY.  Use the code LOVEIT.  30% off J. Crew Sale items too.

 

8. The Cold Weather Knit Tie:  Urban Outfitters – $24.00
Only available in store.

Knit ties don’t have to go into hibernation.  They just need to change their colors and get some texture.  The one shown above is acrylic but looks like wool, comes in cooler colors, and will work with all sorts of sweaters, oxfords, and cords combinations.  Made in the USA too.

 

9. An upgrade to the hoodie:  American Apparel Rugby – $48 | J. Crew Shawl – $41.65*
Nice bold placket on the Rugby.

There will be weekends where you’ll want to reach for that brick heavy, bulky, alma matter hooded sweatshirt.  Leave it for when you have the flu.  The once beloved Ralph Lauren Custom Fit has skyrocketed to a gag-worthy $100 and the A.A. is half that price.  Shawl collar pullovers are a solid bet too.  Cheaper options:  this, and this.  Both from L.E.C.
*The code LOVEIT works on this sweater as well.

 

10. A couple of slim lamps:  Target – $13.69 | Pottery Barn – $79.00
Lighting. You'll need it.

Heads up bachelors.  It’s getting darker earlier, and you should know that women hate standard overhead lighting.  Every-time I flip on the one fluorescent ceiling light in our house, Mrs. Dappered all but vacates the room.  Look for simple lamps that lack the common bulbous ceramic base.  The P.B. splurge is proof that masculine lamps exist.

Your turn to add to the pile.  What’s an autumn, cool weather essential for you?  Leave your additions to the list of fall essentials in the comments section below.  Top Photo Credit

Comments

  2. Hehe. You said “bulbous.”

    Also, never go Tennessee orange, ever, for any reason. Some oranges are an affront to all that is good and beautiful in the world. This, btw, has nothing to do with the fact that I’m a UF alum–simple aesthetics.

  4. Funny how a certain color will be “in” depending on the year and season. I like orange and plan on jumping on the bandwagon. 

    I also hate overhead lighting. My apartment lighting is especially horrendous. 

  5. As accents, both work fine. As full gameday outfits? Both are horrible. As a non-school licensed, say, button up? UF wins, because then you’re just wearing complementary colors, while FSU looks like you’re wearing an FSU shirt.

  8. Love the Kenneth Cole “Mind Tricks” and the LEC shawl.  Joe, is there a post on sizing for cardigans and sweaters.  I always feel like I need to go with a large (16.5 34/35 in dress shirts) then I try them on only to realize that a medium best suits the look I’m going for. I think it’s the “I’m wearing a shirt under this so it needs to be bigger” mindset that I struggle with at times. 

  9. Try LEC for a $25 rugby. I got a RL rugby a while back so I haven’t tried the LEC one yet but they look good.

  11. Question:

    my neck and chest are bigger (as in a large) but my waist is smaller (a medium).  Which do I order?

     

  13. For blazers the rule is usually most important fit is the shoulders and chest.  All else can be made to fit by a tailor (with a few exceptions)

  14. Anyone know if those wingtips run a size large? I normally wear 11, and the biggest they have is a 10.

  16. Heh, I think it’s because the toe points up in the photo. I imagine it won’t be that pronounced once you put them on. For $65, you can’t beat that.

  18. How does everyone feel about the KC in black? Need a pair of black shoes for work (slightly more casual than business casual–it’s tricky). Suggestions?

  19. I’m curious about the sizing too. Has anyone worn these Mind Tricks? I called my local KC shop and they are out of stock, but they did say that KC shoes in general run on the large side (i.e., order a smaller size). However, I’m probably going to hold out until I can get someone’s sizing testimony.

  21. The Rugby from American Apparel is a staple of mine. I did a post on it a few months back in March. I want to say that the wingtips by KC look great and if you change up the laces to a refined waxed pair they would be excellent for dressier occassions.

  23. Those wingtips are killer. I just bought myself a pair of cap-toe “Melton” oxfords from Johnston & Murphy and don’t have a lot of change left over in my shoe budget, or I’d hop on these in an instant.

    Also, orange is my favorite color. And I don’t think it’s just a Fall color. It’s a perfect accent for the blues, browns, and greys that form the backbone of my wardrobe. Brighter, more melon-y oranges are great for spring/summer as well. I got a pair of mid-length, melon orange swim trunks this summer and they were perfect not just for swimming but for lounging around the lake. They look surprisingly good with a grey or blue polo shirt and my brown suede boat shoes. (That’s about as dressed-up as I get at the lake, usually to head for burgers and a beer at the only bar/grill in a 30 mile radius.) 

    Like green or pink chinos, though, it’s certainly not a look that everyone would go for.

    As far as the J.Crew Factory blazers go – I think I’ve expressed this before, but I’m disappointed that the numbered sizes only go down as far as 38. Perhaps the Factory suiting line will be popular enough that J.Crew releases a fuller range of sizes. I picked up the Factory cord blazer in a small, though, and I like it a lot. It’s not so much a blazer as it is a piece of outerwear, which is reflected in both the fit (slightly relaxed) and the material (very plush and warm – probably too warm for another month or so). It’s got suede elbow patches, woven leather buttons, and belted stitching in the back, so it’s definitely got a bit of British hunting jacket feel to it. I was a little nervous about the three-button stance, but it fits and looks like a two-button jacket when you use only the middle button. Definitely recommended if you can get it on sale.

    (Wow, that got long fast. Sorry guys….)

  24. Discount code LOVEIT works on all J.Crew and J.Crew Factory sale items right now. 30% off. That Thompson suit is back under $200, and the tweed blazer is $125.

  29. Is the trench belt considered a fashion faux pas for men or what?  I happen to think it looks a lot better with the belt, at least from the front.  From the back it looks a bit too feminine.

  30. Please help – can someone tell me how to tie the trench coat belt behind my back?  I had it that way when I bought it, but I don’t know how to get it there again.

  35. Thanks very much! Do you have those? How do they fit? I guess I can take them to the tailor to be taken in as I seem to have been doing for every other pair of pants I’ve been getting… 

  36. They fit true to size and have a nice, tailored look. I’m normally a 31×30. More like a 32×30 in my Levi’s, which IMO run slightly small. In brands like GAP and Banana Republic, which run slightly large, I usually go for a 30×30. I got 30×30 in the J.Crew trousers and I’m exchanging them for the 32×30 because they aren’t sized quite as generously as GAP.

  37. thanks – I’ll try that.  A few times I’ve seen articles suggesting you keep the belt but tie it behind, but then explain the best way to do it!

  39. The medium Express sweaters were a little too tight. I’m 6 feet 170 pounds, athletic build. Should I go Medium on the JCREW sweaters? I’m pretty sure if they are even a little roomier than the Express ones a Large will be too big.Help!

  40. I definitely wear a size 36s, so I was wondering if the ‘M’ Calibrate blazer would fit me? I wish they had a small.

  42. Damn… this is tough.  I don’t have an Express sweater from this year on hand right now, but I can tell you that the J. Crew FACTORY Medium is an even 20″ wide across the torso.  Fits my 165-170 pounds pretty damn close to perfect.  But everyone is different y’know?  I’m also closer to 5’9″-10″ than 6 foot.  So a medium might be a little short on you. 

  43. It might require a serious hack job by your tailor.  And the shoulders, which are the most important part, could hang too far off.  Ships and returns free with their new policy, so, might be worth a shot, even though it’s a long shot?

  47. I’m not skinny, but I’m a smaller athletic build– about 5’7” and 135 lbs. 
    I have ALWAYS had trouble finding decent tweed jackets, blazers, etc. for my size. I’m not disproportionate at all, but most of those clothes don’t get made for my target audience. Any help here, fellas? I love the Charcoal Tweed Jackets, but neither offer my size. 

  48. You might consider looking in the boys’ section. J.Crew is one of the few retailers that actually sells stuff like blazers and sport coats in boys’ sizes. There’s no shame in buying it if it fits (you’ll be the only one who knows, anyway), and frankly boys’ stuff is always tons cheaper for basically the same thing.

  49. I’m a 38S and tried on a Calibrate size M blazer and it was too big in the chest and shoulders.

  51. There’s these: http://dappered.com/2011/08/the-88-ships-free-wingtip-boot/

    I just ordered these: http://dappered.com/2011/07/in-person-the-florsheim-gaffney-wingtip-boot/

  52. Pretty sure that I saw those Totes umbrellas for $11.99 at my local ACME supermarket. And yes, they were Totes and not a knockoff – I’ll give it a closer look today if I remember!

  53. Agreed. I couldn’t wear the above shirt, though I admit it’s sharp during the fall.  It’s visceral.  I don’t even like using orange tabs on files.

  54. Not getting the 50% off the wingtips even when they get dumped into the shopping cart. Is this 50% off deal over? WELCOME10 code still works, though.

  56. J. Crew definitely doesn’t sell what I’m looking for in their boys section. I appreciate the assistance, however. Anyone else have any ideas?

  58. MIND TRICKS:

    Just received the mind tricks in… Black? I don’t know what this color is but it is definitely not black. It looks like an off grey dark brown. Definitely playing tricks on my mind. Can I make them darker with black shoe polish? Advice?
    Help would me much appreciated.

  61. Not polish, which is wax based, but creme, which has some dye in it.  I’d google up “shoe repair” wherever you’re at and find a local cobbler.  Take em’ in there and ask what can be done to them to darken them up.