That Dapper Chap takes us through his top ten essential items for AW14
The leaves are once again starting to turn their golden browns and reds, the nights are becoming darker and the wind is biting at our skin. So, with summer saying its goodbye we’re saying Hello to the autumn winter ranges that are being released by our favourite brands.
Marks & Spencer. Collezione Made in Italy coat £699, Collezione Made in Italy blazer £129, Collezione Made in Italy shirt £79, Collezione Made in Italy trousers £129, Autograph holdall £179
For me the new season is an ideal time to reassess and reorganise our wardrobes and to make sure we’re ready for the cooler months ahead.
As August moved in to September I laundered and packed away my shorts, summer shirts, and the majority of my T-shirts and replaced them with thicker long sleeved shirts and sweaters. I didn’t pack all of my T-Shirts as they will be essential for layering on those frosty mornings. It’s a good idea to invest in some good storage and pack your summer wear in vacuum sealed bags with fragranced drawer liners to keep them fresh, and store them under your bed or in the attic until the spring, and hey presto you’ll have plenty of drawer and closet space for your new collection.
But what do you need? Are the items you wore last autumn still good to wear? Do you need to buy any new items to keep your fall looks fresh?
Here we have ten essentials for this season, keeping the looks classic or adding a heritage feel. Build them into your current wardrobe and team them with existing items for a new smart or dapper look for the new season.
FOOTWEAR FOR FALL
One item that you should invest in is a good pair of boots. This season Chukka boots are a good choice. Choose a pair in suede or leather with a hard wearing sole. If you live in a wetter area chose some with a thicker sole to avoid those rain puddles.
Black and brown will be good and if you chose a smarter pair they will take you from office to bar and will also be good for those Sunday strolls in the park.
Black Suede Desert Boot by Next £48
Leather Toe cap Boot by Next £60
(Also see similar here: Sebago ‘Thayer’ Chukka Boot, Andrew Marc Men’s Greenwich Boots , BURCHFIELD CHUKKA & Ben Sherman Men’s Victor Chukka Boot Boots).
SOCK IT TO THEM
To keep your toes snug and warm in your new boots choose some wool socks. Cotton socks are great for keeping you cool in warmer weather but nothing beats wool for cooler times. Keep it colourful to add some personality to your look and go for something patterned too. Fairisle is still a very good choice and is appropriate for the season.
(Sock pictured above, from Left to right: Wool Socks by Marks & Spencer £10, Multicolour Boot Socks by Topman £3, Fairisle five pack by Next £12. Also see similar: ALEXANDER MCQUEEN skull socks, COMME DES GARCONS HOMME PLUS long sock, Nordstrom Over the Calf Wool Socks).
Check trousers with a roll neck sweater and single breasted mac. All from Next
PERFECT PANTS
Again wool is a great option but make sure that they are lined, particularly if you have sensitive skin as the fabric can be somewhat itchy. You can buy half lined i.e. from the waist to the knee or fully lined, right down to the lower calf.
Donegal tweed is good as it is a lighter weight fabric but still offers the warmth. A pair in navy or an autumn colour such as green, brown or brick red will look great dressed up with your boots and a smart shirt or just as good with sneakers and a sweater. If you’re on a budget Look for something versatile that can be worn with a variety of different items.
(Above from left to right: Donegal Wool Trousers in brown, rust and grey, all by Next at £45. Also see also similar ones here: 7 For All Mankind Straight Leg Chinos, AG ‘Matchbox BES’ Slim Straight Leg Pants , Rag & Bone Slim Fit Wool Blend Pants.)
SHIRTS
Checks and stripes are still big news in shirt patterns as is a micro pattern. Look for thicker cotton, chambray or brushed cotton as it will help retain the warmth. When choosing a shirt get something which is fitted and without bulk. You’ll want to layer it up, maybe with a t-shirt underneath and a sweater over it. Breast pockets with flaps and buttons will do nothing but give you instant ‘moobs’ as soon as you put that new sweater on, not a great look. (Shirts pictured above from left to right: Cotton striped shirt with contrast collar by Next £30, Checked shirt by Ben Sherman £60, Grandad collar shirt £24 by Next)
Collarless shirts are back in a big way and are great under a cardigan, waistcoat or sweater but not so much if you have to wear a tie for work.
(See similar shirts here as well: BOSS HUGO Slim Fit Chambray Check Shirt, and 7 For All Mankind Trim Fit Denim Chambray Oxford Sport Shirt).
SWEATERS
Image courtesy of House of Fraser
As I mentioned earlier fairisle is a good pattern choice for a heritage or a classic look. Plain colours will look smart and there are many vintage sleeveless sweaters available for a real vintage look. To keep it classic buy a wool mix thin knit sweater with a V neck that you can wear over a shirt and under a blazer without feeling too bulky. Again autumnal colours will be good where as navy will keep things smart and classic.
For something thicker look for a cable knit, like the ones worn by fishermen. This look has made its way back and it quite on trend. Wear with chinos and boots under a winter coat.
(Pictured above, left to right: Burgundy roll neck £22 at Next, Green cable knit sweater by Marks & Spencer £29 and Camel thin knit V neck £20 by Next. See also: Victorinox Swiss Army ‘Fair Isle Ombre’Fit Crewneck Sweater, Band of Outsiders Merino Wool V-Neck Two-Tone Collar & Cutter & Buck Wool Blend V-Neck Sweater Ballpoint ).
Colour block cardigan by Next £25
CARDIGANS
Again, essential for layering and back in fashion, they are not the sole of choice for your Grandfather. With cardigans the choice is never ending but I would recommend a slimmer fit and a thin knit as it allow more versatility when building it in to your daily attire allowing you to dress it up or down and layer it.
You may also wish to buy a thicker cardigan with a cowl or shawl collar, again very on trend. Wear over a brushed cotton shirt with a tie and under your new trench coat or more simply over a t-shirt and chinos and jeans.
(Also see similar ones here: 1901 Cardigan, BOSS ‘Deliberato’ Wool & Linen Sweater Blue Small , Comme des Garcons ‘Play’ Wool Cardigan with Heart Appliqué & Kane & Unke Textured Shawl Collar Cardigan).
COATS
A military style coat is a great option and is very on trend. While a lot of coats have their design roots in the military, the trench coat is a good example and a classic design. With its wide lapels for turning up against the wind and its belt and shoulder details it’s a great staple item. For a cleaner silhouette an Epsom coat is good and both will be appropriate for office over a suit or dressed down with jeans and a sweater at the weekend.
(Above from left to right top to bottom: Double Breasted wool coat by Hammond & Co at Debenhams £125, F&F Wool check coat £65, Wool Epsom coat £150 by Next, Crombie Coat by Burton at £90. Also see more, similar, coats here: Burberry London ‘Britton’ Double Breasted Trench Coat, Belstaff ‘Boxworth’ Jacket, Rodd & Gunn ‘Gilbert’ Tailored Fit Italian Wool Blend City Coat).
HATS
While a woolly hat or beanie isn’t a particularly dapper ad
ornment it will keep you warm. A tweed flat cap will look more stylish and will do the same job and also maintain that classic heritage look. A wool trilby is also an option for those not cocklaphobic.
(Hats pictured below, from left to right / top to bottom, are: Trimmed Trilby hat from Debenhams, Wool flat cap by Burton £16, Heritage checked cap by Debenhams £29, Fedora by Debenhams £30z. Also see these similar hats: Fender Black Wool Trilby Fedora with Pinstripe Band, Bailey Lord Tweed Flat Cap & KANGOL VentAir Cap).
GLOVES
A good pair of leather or tweed gloves is a must for any discerning gentleman. Keep it classic again with a pair of black or brown lined leather gloves. Try to buy a pair with a thinner leather so that they do not restrict too much movement and make sure the fit as snuggly as possible or they’ll fly off during that snowball fight.
For a more casual look you can get a pair of knitted patterned gloves. You’ll find that they often come in a set with a matching scarf or woolly hat.
(Pictured above, left to right/ top to bottom: Harris Tweed gloves at Debenhams, Leather gloves by John Rocha at Debenhams £38, Black leather gloves £22 at Next. Also see similar here: John W. Nordstrom Leather Gloves, Ted Baker London ‘Myglove’ Deerskin Gloves & UGG Australia Wool Blend Gloves).
BLAZERS
A good tweed or wool blazer is a must have. It is so versatile and enables you to curate a very dapper look, a very vintage look or a casual look. Wear it with your jeans, boots, sweater and woolly hat and scarf at the weekend or with dress pants, brogues and a shirt and tie during the week. Find one that fits well over a shirt but also over a thin knit sweater so you have that option to layer.
(Blazers pictured below from left to right:
Blue blazer by Next £80, Checked jacket by Hammond & Co at Debenhams £120, Khaki checked jacket by Next £99. See more similar blazers here: Wool-Blend Tweed Blazer, John Varvatos Star USA Brown Wool Blend Blazer , Wool Plaid Blazer.
So, now you should feel armed and ready for the season, boots and blazer ready and that flat cap hanging by the door for those wintery mornings. The main thing as you no doubt guessed it the ability to layer, trapping the warmth between your clothing while looking classily dapper.
Autograph coat £199, Autograph blazer £199, M&S Collection jumper £39.50, Autograph shirt £45, Autograph tie £19.50, Autograph suit trousers £84, Autograph shoes £55
HAPPY SHOPPING!
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