What are you going to wear? Sometimes it’s good to look at a few suggestions then add your own tweaks and ideas. That’s what these are for. The equinox was weeks ago, but only now is most of the hemisphere starting to feel fall’s cooler weather. We acclimate, so fall will feel different depending on where you’re at, but most of us know that first day when it really, truly feels like fall. Just look around. If you don’t know what that feels like (say, you’re surrounded by palm trees and/or alligators), try this?
The Coat: Topman Trim Fit Trench – $59.97. ($150) Or, whatever trench you wear in the Spring. The advantage of blue, instead of tan, is that it looks a little more fall/winter-like. And if you were lucky enough to snag the H&M trench from back in August (it’s now sold out), now’s the perfect time to use it. Sizes are real limited on the Topman. It’s probably going to still be a little too warm for a wool overcoat, but if it’s not, Topman has a wool blend option for you as well. Ships & returns free through Nordstrom. UPDATE: annnnd the trench is gone. Got any leads on other navy or fall-ready trench coats? Leave those in the comments…
The Shirt: UNIQLO Slim Fit OCBD in Light Grey – $29.90. Yep. We’re going grey on grey. But there’s noticeable contrast here, and a bright white OCBD might look a little stark. If it’s too risky for you, try a light blue OCBD and you’ll be set.
The Blazer: B.R. Tailored Fit Grey Cotton Blazer – $179.99 ($198). A staple. Just because the clouds have rolled in a bit doesn’t mean you have to switch all your greys to charcoal. A medium to lighter grey blazer looks real sharp with jeans, and it also allows you to wear darker shirts (like chambray) underneath if you wish. Be patient and you should be able to pick this up for the low to mid $100s with codes, but you have to wait for one that doesn’t exclude blazers.
The Belt: GAP “Dipped Centerbar” Belt – $34.50
The Pocket Square: TheTieBar Crown Plaid Serene Blue – $8.00. Totally optional.
The Watch: Citizen Eco-Drive White Dial Chrono – $225
The Jeans: Levi’s 511 in Rigid Dragon – $36.99
The Shoes: Stafford Gunner – $55 – $65. Were you expecting brown? Lotta time to wear brown. We’re all going to wear brown. Feel free to mix in a little black this year. It’s just a little less friendly than all of that professorial brown we tend to put on and lace up this time of year. Full review here. Price right now has gone back up to $99, so it might be best to wait a few days for them to go “on sale” for around $70, and then apply an extra 15% or 20% off code.
The Gloves: Autodromo String-Back Driving Gloves – $125. A total splurge. But… wow.
What do you think about substituting navy cords for the pants in that look? And burgundy/oxblood boots?
Those Rigid Dragon 511’s bleed like crazy when you first get them. Definitely soak them before you put them on for the first time. That being said, they are easily my favorite pair of jeans at the moment. Also order a size up in your waist size and inseam. They run a bit small. I usually wear a 30×32 and exchanged up to a 31×32 due the the waist running small.
I finally splurged and bought the Autodromo gloves. They are worth every penny. Nice to see you include them.
You mentioned that a white OCBD might look a little stark. Is there anything wrong with stark contrasts in one’s look in general? Just curious.
The H&M trench is still available at some H&M stores in the Chicagoland area. I don’t know if they do sales over the phone but it may be worth a shot for someone who really wants to wear that trench. It’s got a heavier lining in it which “should” provide some layers.
I think a contrast between pants and boots is a good thing, so I’d definitely go with burgundy or chocolate footwear here.
that topman is gone, now 🙁
That’s a lot of scratch for a glove meant to keep your hands cool.
Citizen Eco Drive: for when you want an IWC Portuguese, but don’t have Frank Underwood money.
That’s a good looking pocket square. I wish Tie Bar would open pop up stores in major cities.
So…..black is the new black?
I think the dislike for black on this board is a little too high.
Well Joe, where you live? Here in Buffalo is not cold by any means. Dudes are like in t-shirts and stuff over here. Sometimes I even feel out of place wearing a blazer. I wish it was colder…I know where I live but still it is surprisingly warm.
I’m part of that palm trees and alligators group. I really, really miss fall. Even when I lived in Alabama we got more fall than we do here.
How do I get the Gunner down to $60-ish? With JCP4U it’s hovering around $80.
Gotta wait a few days for them to go on sale for $69.99 (or thereabouts) and then apply a 15% or 20% off code.
Price went up overnight.
Keep in mind new denim stretches around an inch in the waist after a dozen wears. If you can get the top button done, they’re the right size. Don’t size up too much, or you’ll be the new half of Kris Kross.
Blast! I will keep a lookout, then. I wouldn’t mind picking up another pair or two of beaters for the upcoming winter. Thanks Joe.
Starting to feel like fall here. Wore a chunky shawl carsigan today.
Note on the Dragons: they often get down to about $30. If you don’t need or really really want them right now, consider watching the Frugal Male Fashion subreddit for one of said sales (they’re obsessed.) That said, if you need them now, it’s probably not worth waiting to save $7.
Tell that to OJ and his Isotoners.
Alternatively, grab an IWC homage… you know, depending on how you feel about that stuff.
I’d say no. Frankly, I think Joe may be trying to offer the readers alternatives. I think everyone knows that a white shirt works in most situations; he’s just showing that there are other options that one can use to subtly change the look. Then again, I’m not Joe. (Or am I?) #diversificationgate?
I feel like the risk with a light grey shirt is it will look like you’re just wearing a dirty shirt, or a shirt you mistakenly ran through the wash with your new jeans.
A good way to balance the starkness of a white shirt in an otherwise dark outfit is to throw in a pop of white elsewhere. The white-dialed watch is a good way to go. You could also switch the black leather belt for a white cord belt, or trade the dark denim for off-white denim or chinos.
Denim does stretch. If you get those Rigid Dragons, they come at least a size too small. And as the namesake suggest, they are very rigid. Seriously do yourself a favor and go a size up. I’ve experienced very little stretch while wearing them constantly for the past 9 months.
My favorite jeans too. I buy a lot of the American Eagle slim fit as well, but the 511 is the perfect fit for me. I usually am 32/32 and went to 33 after trying in store for the rigid dragons. Probably should have stayed at 32. Oh well.
It’s possible that your original pair of 30x32s were cut wrong, undersized or mistagged. Levi’s has pretty terrible QA; rarely do two pairs fit the same.
By sizing up, you’re not really going to experience that stretch as you would have had you chosen TTS. To each their own though. Not everyone likes skin tight slim fits or billowy boot cuts, so you do you!
I’m *very* familiar with raw/rigid denim. It’s the only denim I wear (although I choose selvedge).
/fmf, ftw.
You need more warm colors for fall: (brown, burgundy, dark orange, etc) to offset the gray.
East Dane has the Bond Peacoat in Canvas (not wool) for less than $150. Could substitute it for a trench.
I’ll first respond in the same manner of your comment:
No. You don’t.
Now I’ll respond in a different way:
Warm colors for fall = hugely expected. Pretty cliche even. Yes, they absolutely work. Was the author of this post (that’d be me) going for something a bit different here? You bet. Hell, I even started with the standard brown blazer, brown boots, throw in some oranges and reds thing. But, that was going to be totally expected, and decided to go in a different direction to keep you guys on your toes, and even hinted at such in the post: “Were you expecting brown? Lotta time to wear brown. We’re all going to wear brown.”
There ya go.
I second this. Bonobos has one, but it’s substantially more expensive, even with the current 25% code.
Boy, if you’re Joe, monk straps are doing a number on your psyche.
Well done, this outfit is sharp.
. . . too soon.
Bond on a Budget. I like it.
Why splurge on the gloves you’ll wear a few times a year and not splurge on the jeans you could wear everyday?
¯_(ツ)_/¯
This outfit will make ya wanna jump, jump.
Long answer: Personal taste. The appreciation of the aesthetics of the gloves with the knit backs. The fact that they’ll be worn almost daily (for some) between now and April. Also, to many, the difference between a pair of levis and higher end denim isn’t worth the extra cost for the improved visuals or better feel, where as the difference between the string-back gloves and a pair of Macy’s sourced isotoners is much more different. Yet others will feel the opposite (like yourself)
Short answer: Do whatever you want to do. This is just a suggestion, and not worth questioning the logistics of. Can’t write for everybody. Won’t write for everybody. Won’t write for myself (site’s not about me), but will try and keep it varied.
Number eight equals sign equals sign equals sign greater than sign.
Am I doing this right?
Prob just one equals sign.
First time purchasing a UNIQLO Slim Fit OCBD. Joe what size do you recommend for 5’11” 180lbs?
Heh heh. You said “vein”
Oooh. You’re a marge. Large, or medium. Probably large. The arms on the OCBDs are real trim, so, you may have a hard time fitting into a medium.
John Molloy tested trenchcoats back in the 70s when he wrote Dress For Success, and reported that beige tested way, way better than black. Navy wasn’t mentioned. As for me, I’m stickin’ with beige. It has never failed me.
Never said there was anything wrong with Beige. Been using my BR trench for years, and still love it.
I’m kinda enjoying this new sassy Joe.
That makes one of us.
If everything is going to be constantly questioned and debated, why not provide the answers? Might have to write less/produce less content, but, hey, can’t a second guess be second guessed?
Uniqlo selvedge >> levis
I’m quite curious as to how one “tests” trench coats and how one color can “test” better than another.
Why ask this question?
5’11” 190 here. I wear a medium in all UNIQLO shirts and they fit really well. I just wish their medium jackets didn’t make me look like Chris Farley in David Spade’s jacket.
But I would honestly go for the mediums. Or, one of each. They are decently priced and have a fair return policy.
Do you have a link to it? Couldn’t find it on the website.
This is a great trench, so it’s a shame that it appears to be sold out. Personally, I prefer a topcoat length (for me, about at the knee) trench since I wear a suit everyday and it keeps more of me protected by the elements. I was lucky enough to be able to get mine from Brooks Brothers, but since you can’t always rely on getting their 40% off cards and having a ton of gift cards, do you know a place to get a more affordable, long trench?
it was sold out as well when i looked earlier today :-/
Hi Corwin, sale is back! Price $64.99, promos ranging from 15% to 25% off depending on how you meet JCP’s conditions of the sale – that’s anywhere from $48.75 to $55.25
Out the door for $67.64. Not bad! Thank you for the heads up.
He sent models around to different venues to see how they were treated when dressed one way, or another way. And showed pictures of men in different outfits and accessories to survey participants, asking which men looked more successful, which looked upper class or lower class, and the like.
The rules he came up with are timeless. They can be bent, but one breaks them at one’s peril. Readers of this site aren’t likely to break them very often, if ever.
Look for the book on ABEBooks or used on Amazon. It’s still worth reading, 40 years give or take, after it was published.
This looks like a great outfit! I’ve never purchased anything from Uniqlo, what does that OCBD shirt compare to in terms of fit/quality?
From the reviews and other member’s posts here, they do run small and don’t stretch that much. Just keep it in mind when you buy these. Absolutely worth the $37.