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Smart Menswear for Shifting Temperatures
Lighter layers and versatile staples will carry you through changing fall weather
(From left) Dress for the changing weather with layerable items like the L.L.Bean Men’s Maine Guide Zip-Front Jac-Shirt With PrimaLoft, Plaid in Dark Cinder/Black; the Gap Heavyweight Oversized Quarter-Zip Pullover in Charcoal Gray; Cole Haan Men’s GrandPrø Topspin Waterproof Sneakers in Navy Blazer-Raven; and the Quince Organic Waxed Cotton Barn Jacket in Dark Forest Green.
AARP (L.L.Bean, Gap, Cole Haan, Quince)
Key takeaways
- Warmer fall weather is driving demand for lighter, layerable clothing that works across seasons.
- Updated classics such as waxed jackets, shackets and polos offer versatility without heavy bulk.
- Performance fabrics in pants and footwear help men stay comfortable through changing conditions.
The onset of autumn used to mean it was time to hunker down for the long winter ahead once temperatures started to drop. Which meant it was time for some heavier clothes. But these days, Old Man Winter doesn’t seem to quite pack the punch that he used to. Consider that 2024 was the warmest year by a wide margin since global records began, in 1850, and it’s only trending up.
So as new clothes hit the stores this month, consider skipping winter woolies and instead searching for seasonless pieces that work year-round. They will be easier to layer up as needed, and easier on your wallet. Plus, you’ll have fewer seldom-worn duds lurking in the back of your closet. Here’s how to rethink your fall shopping strategies.
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(From left) Quince Organic Waxed Cotton Barn Jacket in Dark Forest Green; Banana Republic Factory Corduroy-Collar Quilted Jacket in Dark Trees; Kenneth Cole Men’s Wool-Blend Peacoat With Bib in Black.
AARP (Quince, Banana Republic Factory, Macy’s)
Choose a just-right jacket
Let’s face it, that heavy wool topcoat is rapidly becoming a thing of the past. Even if you live in the coldest Northern climes, you probably just reach for a weightless puffer when the temperature goes below freezing. But a man still needs a piece of sturdy, weather-resistant outerwear for daily utility and to pull a look together. The good news is that a raft of reliable menswear standards have been reimagined in lighter, more transitional weights to better suit the new climate.
Organic waxed cotton makes for a weatherproof outer layer, and a lightweight microfiber lining adds just enough warmth, with the Quince Organic Waxed Cotton Barn Jacket ($104, quince.com), in versatile forest green. The Flint and Tinder Waxed Harrington Jacket ($268, huckberry.com) fashions the popular golf windbreaker style in a drier finish, with weather-resistant cotton made in Scotland by heritage mill Halley Stevensons, a soft microflannel lining and a corduroy collar.
If you’re searching for a field jacket that’s sleek enough for the city, try the sharp black Banana Republic Factory Corduroy-Collar Quilted Jacket ($100, bananarepublicfactory.gapfactory.com), in machine-washable quilted fabric with the de rigueur corduroy collar and snap-front closure. The Kenneth Cole Men’s Wool-Blend Peacoat With Bib ($105, macys.com) updates another menswear favorite in the classic double-breasted peacoat in a medium-weight wool blend with a light poly fill. For more temperate climes, the Damivas Men’s Classic Lightweight Transitional Jacket ($69, damivas.store) offers a peacoat-inspired, lightweight transitional style that goes from the workday to the weekend.
(From left) L.L.Bean Men’s Maine Guide Zip-Front Jac-Shirt With PrimaLoft, Plaid in Dark Cinder/Black; Banana Republic Factory Quilted Shirt Jacket in Khaki Gingham; Bonobos Cozy Cord Shacket in Brown Olive.
AARP (L.L.Bean, Banana Republic Factory, Bonobos)
Swap in a stylish ‘shacket’
Men’s shirt jackets have exploded in popularity in the last few years, and it’s easy to see why they’ve become an on-the-go staple. “Shackets” span the seasons and are easy to throw on and layer up as needed. The multi-season L.L.Bean Men’s Maine Guide Zip-Front Jac-Shirt With PrimaLoft, Plaid ($250, llbean.com), in a striking black-and-brown check wool, is lined with warm PrimaLoft insulation to get you through most winter days, and it can be worn under a waterproof shell or jacket in colder weather. In rich olivey brown, the Bonobos Cozy Cord Shacket ($129, bonobos.com) features a comfy, textured fabric in a tailored style that can be layered over a shirt or under a jacket. The Banana Republic Factory Quilted Shirt Jacket ($90, bananarepublicfactory.gapfactory.com) sports a black-over-khaki check fabric that’s diamond-quilted and fully lined for warmth without bulkiness.
Upgrade to upscale sweats
Sweatshirts have moved beyond the athletic field and out of the gym, emerging in elevated versions for everyday wear. They offer warmth and an uncomplicated look, rather than sweaters that can read as slightly aging and fussy. The Vuori Beach Fleece Crew ($118, vuori.com) is made from plush brushed-back stretch fleece with 71 percent recycled content, featuring an easy, classic fit and a notably soft feel. The Gap Heavyweight Oversized Quarter-Zip Pullover ($63, gap.com) pairs the popular menswear style with a gutsy heavyweight fleece for a comfy oversized pullover. Garment-washed for a broken-in feel, L.L. Bean’s Men’s Sunwashed Sweatshirt ($75, llbean.com) is a zip-front cardigan that features a stand collar, a front chest pocket and two side pockets, in rugged French terry with a soft brushed inner surface.
(From left) Lands’ End Men’s Travel Kit Comfort-Waist Athletic-Fit Chino Pant in Khaki; L.L.Bean Men’s VentureTek Chino Pants, Standard Fit Straight-Leg in Classic Navy and Olive Gray.
AARP (Lands’ End; L.L.Bean, 2)
Stock up on feel-good fabrics
Chinos are a reflexive choice for most men, whether they’re going casual or more dressed up. As a bonus, new trouser technology has khakis accommodating year-round temperature swings. The Lands’ End Men’s Travel Kit Comfort-Waist Athletic Fit Chino Pant ($51, landsend.com) is crafted from a cotton/recycled polyester/spandex blend that cools in the heat and insulates in the cold. The Flint and Tinder 365 Chino Pant ($108, huckberry.com) lives up to its name every day of the year in a seasonless, midweight stretch cotton with a relaxed fit through the hip and thigh and a full, straight leg. L.L.Bean’s Men’s VentureTek Chino Pants, Standard Fit, Straight Leg ($100, llbean.com), constructed from an abrasion-resistant stretch fabric that’s also moisture-wicking and quick drying, will keep you comfortable in changeable weather.
(From left) Quince 100% Organic Cotton Ribbed Polo Sweater in Big Sur Green; L.L.Bean Men’s Premium Double L Polo, Long-Sleeve Without Pocket in Atlantic Blue.
AARP (Quince, L.L.Bean)
Pick up some perfect polos
There’s no better knit for year-round wear than the long-sleeved polo. Adaptable for wearing on its own or layering as the season dictates, the full-sleeve version can be dressed up or down, while the same soft cotton knit is breathable and always feels good next to the skin. The Lululemon Grand Standard Long-Sleeve Polo ($69, lululemon.com) has a roomy, laid-back look, but the double-knit fabric gives it a more structured appeal. Another winning choice is the L.L.Bean Men’s Premium Double L Polo, Long-Sleeve Without Pocket ($55, llbean.com), with a relaxed cut in supersoft cotton-piqué knit that allows air to circulate. The classic, easy shape of the Quince 100% Organic Cotton Ribbed Polo Sweater ($62, quince.com) delivers a gutsier texture in an all-season, seven-gauge knit for comfort.
Find the right footing
Year-round footwear needs to remain practical in any weather while also providing all-day comfort and delivering unbeatable style points. One option that more than measures up is Cole Haan’s Men’s GrandPrø Topspin Waterproof Sneakers ($175, colehaan.com), with a rubber outsole and sealed seams to keep the elements at bay. In sharp navy, they’re lightweight and flexible, with a removable footbed and extra cushioning.
For a more easygoing take on a classic, the Blundstone #2690 Aerocork Chelsea Boot ($225, blundstone.com) offers all-season lightweight comfort and durability in a water-resistant, supple grey suede. Slip-in convenience meets rugged wearability in the Sorel Ambler Waterproof Men’s Clog ($130, sorel.com), constructed in full-grain nubuck leather with robust traction in a trim silhouette.
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