When the leaves start to fall it’s time to review what we have in our closets for the autumn and winter seasons to come. Yes, that means you too, men! As a guy who works in the fashion business I have a pretty good eye for what works for the average man, as well as what he might actually wear. Of course, I dress up a little more frequently than most guys do because of my job but, at the end of the day, every male needs to be in the loop about fashion and style for fall. I’m going to dispense some tips about the looks that are easy to emulate - and those that can be achieved by any man, boy, guy or dude who wants to put a little style spin on his everyday wardrobe this fall and winter.

Each season at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, I attend the French sportswear brand, Lacoste’s runway show. They’re always innovative without being out of touch with their loyal customer base. Let’s take a look at a few of their clever combinations for autumn and winter 2014.

Tan is the new black. There I’ve said it. Guys in the know will want to have a tan jacket, or outerwear to get them through the fall and winter bluster. Tan, or camel, as it’s sometimes called, is a classic when it comes to menswear. Whether you go for a zip up in wool, like the one pictured above, worn with a black hooded jacket. Or, if you go for a traditional button-up topcoat like the picture shown at left, you just can’t lose in the style department. If you want to go full on with your fall fashion, go monochromatic like our model from the runway with his beige athletic separates that are just a few shades lighter than his coat. Note the knit hat - this is a mainstay during the winter months for athletes and non-athletes alike.

Lacoste also showed how to do a modern sweater in a graphic grid pattern. Here we see masculine tones of tan, beige and blackish-grey in the pullover he’s sporting. This sweater is worn with some dressier slacks in this photo, but it could just as easily be worn with your favorite pair of jeans. You might also pay particular attention to the square shape of the frame of his sunglasses, which is also a major trend for men’s accessories.

The sweat suit also received a sophisticated makeover from the French company. The dark grey color, along with the bands of black on the pullover sweatshirt signal a little bit of style without sacrificing the “comfort” that so many guys go for. Deep pockets in the slacks give you somewhere to put your stuff, too. 

On the other side of the spectrum for fall menswear we have designer Trina Turk. Turk is known for her vintage vibe and playful combinations of patterns, textures, and colors for guys and gals alike. Even if you think these menswear styles look a little over the top, the take away here is that contrast can be good thing. In both of these looks we see vintage-inspired suiting that has been accessorized with shirts, ties, and accessories that complement the tones in the patterns of the pieces. They DON’T match, but they DO coordinate. Like I always say, if it looks good to your eye, wear it!

So, there you have a few tips and tricks to help yourself, or any man you might know, get with the fall fashion program! Finding a key piece to add to what you already have in your wardrobe is always a fun experience at Goodwill All our menswear items are grouped by size and color to make it easy to focus on that item that could transform your look from zero to hero in a flash. Also keep in mind that your purchases and/or donations of gently-used clothing and accessories might just lend a helping hand to those in our community who need it the most.