Written and Produced by James Vincent

Autumn is the best time of the year to update your wardrobe. The change of seasons and the wild burst of colors exploding in the landscape can provide inspiration for some classic looks. By sticking to some classic – but never boring – looks, you can never go wrong no matter if it’s to work, out for an evening or just bumming around on the weekend. We re-visited some of our autumn posts to see and prove for ourselves just how a classic look never flies away with next seasons wind.

From our very first fashion post – https://menofvalue.com/2014/12/29/weekend-get-away-wardrobe-essentials/A classic houndstooth sport jacket – which should be a staple in every guy’s autumn wardrobe. Here – in a plaid variation – the warm browns and grays  announce it’s autumn. This updated houndstooth also has some nifty features like brown suede elbow patches and a matching brown suede collar tab that brings it to the fashion-forefront. It can be paired nicely with gray flannel trousers and any shirt/tie combo for casual business attire. But it can also make for a dressed down weekend – or evening look – paired – as here – with a jean shirt and khaki jeans. Take it a few steps further as an outerwear piece with a contrasting larger patterned brown scarf and gloves and it’s suddenly an autumn weekend look.

Sport Coat, Coppley; Khaki Jeans, Joe’s; Denim Shirt, Levi’s; Tee, H&M; Scarf, Polo Ralph Lauren; Gloves, H&M

Photography by G. Thomas Ward, thepeoplephotographer.com; Model, Krystian for Ford Models Chicago; Grooming, Ashley Condron; Styling, James Vincent https://www.tradeshowoffs.com/

A new suit for a new season is always a good idea. Here from our September 2016 issue –https://menofvalue.com/2016/08/31/pivot-fall-2016-keep-simple-slim-smart/ –  start with a good basic suit like this medium gray one from Tommy Hilfiger. This suit can take you from fall in its lightweight all season fabrication well into winter. Here, paired with a Hilfiger shirt and an updated  heritage brand  slim tie, it’s perfect for a formal office setting and can get you out into evening as well very handsomely.

Suit & Shirt, Tommy Hilfiger; Tie, Penguin; Tie Bar, Vintage.

*Photography, Alejandra Guerrero, http://www.alejandraguerrero.com/ ; Model, Anthony for Ford Models Chicago; Grooming, Ashley Condron; Styling, James Vincent, https://www.tradeshowoffs.com/ ; Shot On Location At Black Bull, Chicago, http://www.blackbullchicago.com/

Plaid jackets and suits are back in a big way and what better time to break one in than when you’ve got an out of town road trip planned. From our November 2015 article – https://menofvalue.com/2015/10/31/hit-the-road-fallwinter-2015-7-looks-that-will-propel-you-through-the-season/ – we found this proudly plaid sport jacket. It’s a loud, killer blue and brown number. And to make it your own – don’t stop with the plaid jacket – pair it with a shirt in a smaller plaid in the same colors but muted – and a vintage vest in one of the plaid colors. Throw in a splashy pocket square and a pair of distressed brown jeans and you’ve got a late afternoon casual business look that will take you into cocktails and dinner very nicely.

Sport Coat, Coppley; Shirt, Ben Sherman; Jeans, Joe’s; Tie, 14th & Union; Vest, Pocket Square & Tie Bar, Vintage; Belt, Perry Ellis; Wristbands, H&M.

*Photography, Alejandra Guerrero http://www.alejandraguerrero.com; Model, Tommy for Ford Models Chicago; Grooming, Ashley Condron; Styling, James Vincent https://www.tradeshowoffs.com/; Shot On Location At: Field’s Mini of Chicago http://www.miniofchicago.com

A guy can never have too many suits. Here – from our September 2015 fashion article – https://menofvalue.com/2015/08/31/six-looks-that-will-ease-you-into-fall-build-your-fall-2015-wardrobe-now/ – a four season crisp, light fabric, tailored suit like this will take you anywhere for the next year. Its fit is slim – which is still gonna be around for a while yet. You can wear it immediately and into the winter so get a good basic like this navy tone on tone mini-windowpane check. Then, don’t just wear a plain white or blue shirt – wear it with a bold patterned one like this blue and white wide stripe so it offsets the smaller check. Then introduce a larger patterned tie like this silk paisley and you’re in greater sartorial territory – especially after you pop in a multi-hued blue pocket square.

Suit, Coppley; Shirt, John W. Nordstrom; Tie; Enro; Belt, Mezlan; Pocket Square, Nordstrom Rack; Shoes, Model’s.

*Photography, Alejandra Guerrero http://www.alejandraguerrero.com; Model, Peter for Ford Models Chicago; Grooming, Ashley Condron; Styling, James Vincent https://www.tradeshowoffs.com/; Shot On Location At: Firefly Kitchen, Wilmette, IL http://www.ffkitchen.com

The past few seasons have seen the revival of the quilted “hunting” style outerwear jacket as a fashion staple and this season is no exception – as it was in our November 2106 article –https://menofvalue.com/2016/10/31/going-fall-fall-2016-wardrobe-essentials/ . These are versatile and wearable for many reasons. They’re comfortable, stylish and just made for layering. This jacket can easily be paired with jeans and a sweater – as here in the same tonal family. It would also look great with trousers, a vest and tie for a casual work environment.

Jacket, Marc New York; Sweater, Bugatchi; Jeans, Diesel; Belt, Levis; Boots, Bull Boxer.

*Photography, Alejandra Guerrero http://www.alejandraguerrero.com/ ; Model, Gregory for Ford Models Chicago; Grooming, Ashley Condron; Styling, James Vincent https://www.tradeshowoffs.com/ ; Shot On Location At: Pagoda Red, Chicago, https://www.pagodared.com

What is it about a fireplace hearth  that inspires dressing in earth tones? From our January ’16 issue –  https://menofvalue.com/2015/12/31/get-in-from-the-cold-winter-2016-essentials/ A herringboned sport coat is always an autumn weather classic – and here’s an update on that classic – with contrasting dark herringbone patches from elbow to cuff as well as the vest pocket. Skip the blue jeans for once and go with a shade of brown – here a medium caramel color – it dresses up the look just enough but not too much. Pick up a subtle tone in the herringbone – a deep burgundy here, for a sweater for added warmth and pair it with a loose vintage style tie and pinstriped shirt, you’re ready for work or for whatever the evening holds. Dress it down with a most usable knit cap and you’ll be ready for the fall and winter – but looking sharp at the same time.

Sport Coat, Gibson London; Sweater, Penguin; Shirt, Kenneth Cole Reaction; Tie, Tommy Hilfiger; Jeans, Quiksilver; Belt, Timberland; Scarf, Nautica; Hat, A. Kurtz; Boots, Penguin; Pocket Square, Vintage.

*Photography, Alejandra Guererro, http://www.alejandraguerrero.com; Model, Justin for Ford Models Chicago; Grooming, Ashley Condron; Styling, James Vincent,  https://www.tradeshowoffs.com/; Shot On Location At Frontier, http://www.thefrontierchicago.com

And finally, what about date nights at home when you’ve finally relented and said to yourself it’s just too cold to go out for dinner? This is also assuming you can convince your date to brave the cold just for you. Make it worth their extreme effort and greet them at the door in a most inviting, warm and snugly way – in a robe that’s big enough for the two of you. You will BOTH be glad that you did.

Robe, Penguin.

Photography, Alejandra Guerrero http://www.alejandraguerrero.com/; Model, Ryne for Ford Models Chicago; Grooming, Ashley Condron; Styling, James Vincent; https://www.tradeshowoffs.com/Shot On Location At: Roy’s Furniture Co., Chicago http://www.roysfurniturecompanychicago.com/