I'm sure you've noticed that all over magazines, TV and the
internet lately, the focus is on fall, fall, fall. We're starting to
think about football, Thanksgiving and all of the other terrific things
that autumn brings. This also means that you should start to think about
transitioning the items in your closet. Although the weather may not
yet feel cooler in your corner of the country, it will get there soon.
And you will want to be ready to approach the season in style.
When
it comes to men's fashion, the area where a lot of men fall short is in
assembling a wardrobe with variety. You'll notice that any time a male
celebrity is cited in the news for his great style, he has a visually
interesting, varied, and often colorful outfit. In putting together a
stylish wardrobe, you'll need to include elements of color, pattern and
texture.
If you are one who normally has a difficult time
assembling a wardrobe that you feel good in, start from the bottom and
work up. It can be a lot less intimidating to shop for shoes than other
items of clothing, such as pants and suits. Plus, depending on what
types of shoes you prefer, this can help to dictate the rest of your
stylish look.
A great shoe style for fall of 2011 is a brown suede
or leather derby shoe. This is shoe style is truly classic, and can
easily be dressed up or down. A good suede shoe will also add the
crucial element of texture to your outfit. Now, continue to build up.
Your wardrobe of pants should include dark wash denim, flat front
khakis, and corduroys. Cord is an excellent fabric for fall, and can be
found in all sorts of interesting colors. Don't be afraid to try
something different, such as olive green, burnt orange, plum, or
mustard. This would, of course, bring in your element of color.
Now
for your top half, an excellent and stylish look for fall is to dress
in layers. A look that is great for this fall is to layer a cardigan
sweater over a button down shirt or a ribbed cotton tee shirt. Are you
cringing at the word "cardigan" because it makes you think of Mr.
Rogers? Just look for a cardigan that fits snuggly and isn't bulky to
avoid looking dated. If you find a material, whether it is cotton or
wool, that bulges, place the sweater back on the shelf and keep looking.
If you are more of a jacket person, look for a cotton and wool sports
jacket, and a great faux or real leather jacket in a shade of brown,
camel, or reddish brown. These are staples that can be layered over
nearly any outfit.
As you shop for shirts, resist the urge to buy
the same plain tee shirt in a whole stack of different colors. Your
shirt wardrobe definitely needs variety. Plus, ties are an essential for
a stylish wardrobe, and you can't try out a variety of interesting tie
knotsif all you wear is tee shirts. Don't be afraid to wear a patterned
dress shirt with a tie of a different pattern. It will work as long as
the patterns are in the same color family. This goes for patterns such
as paisley and stripes; Glen-Plaid and polka dots; and even polka dots
and stripes, which was traditionally thought of as a faux pas. Just
anchor the look with neutral pants and perhaps a neutral colored jacket.
If you prefer to use pattern in a more subtle way, stick to just one
patterned element, such as an argyle scarf looped around your neck.
Remember,
the key to building a stylish wardrobe is to include color, pattern,
and texture. Don't be afraid to experiment with new fabrics and looks
this fall.
