Fall Men’s Fashion: Season Patterns

Men’s fashion says that you can’t go wrong with simple and understated solids. Patterns, however, are a whole other level of style; any guy who can wield a patterned wardrobe automatically shows himself as a man of discerning taste. Whether it’s at work or in a casual situation, there will always be other guys in solid neckties, solid shirts and solid suits. Wouldn’t you want to set yourself above everyone else?

Stripes
Every guy’s got striped ties and office shirts in the closet, so this season’s trend aims at something a little more casual. Bold horizontal stripes – quite the style trend in spring – are being redone in the fall as strong blocks of color for a visibly masculine statement.

Sweaters are about to make a comeback in your daily wardrobe, so prepare one or two crewnecks with stripes in deep classic colors like navy or red. Pairing these with chinos is a good idea so that the shades and the pattern will really stand out. They’re just as useful when you start layering them under jackets and coats, giving a refreshing pop of color to wake up those neutral tones.

For a more business-minded wardrobe, style writers foresee the rise of variegated stripes, which are more casual (but more interesting) than the pin or chalk varieties. They’re good enough to wear on their own, but a solid (or solid-looking) necktie should be a suitable complement if you’re dressing up for work.

Plaid
One of the more intimidating patterns in men’s fashion, plaid is a very in print this fall. Now is the time to try plaid if you didn’t have reasons in the past.

Shadow plaid, which features crisscrossing lines that are just a couple of shades lighter or darker than the field behind them, is actually a very subtle pattern and is easy to match. It’s a great choice to consider for your first item because of its understatement, unlike high-visibility prints like the signature Burberry plaid.

Balance is the key to making a plaid look work. Solid items like a tee or turtleneck should help the pattern pop, while a bright, contrasting color palette – earth tones with a black shadow plaid, for example – will emphasize the outfit as a whole. Keep plaid the star of your outfit; you don’t want too many prints going on, else you might look like a mashup picnic blanket.

Tweed
While not a pattern itself, tweed fabrics have a characteristic flecked appearance that’s very appropriate for the season – and for business. The textile carries a very formal and traditional vibe that keeps you right on trend for that refined, put-together look of the ideal modern (and style-conscious) man.

Because of its strong character – and the defined tailoring that usually comes with it – tweed suits make the perfect complement for the bright, bold pieces that are becoming all the rage this season. Investing in a good tweed suit (or, at the very least, a tailored jacket in the fabric) means hitting two style targets in a single stroke.

Tweed’s sobriety and masculinity balance out all of those bold, flamboyant pieces. Have you ever wanted to wear that bright blue tie or loud pink shirt to the office? A tweed jacket in slate gray or tobacco brown gives you that opportunity, dressing up and adding a touch of macho factor to your look. The man dressed in the 3-piece tweed suit above is a perfect example! If you like his tie then you may also want to have a look at this Wine red patterned silk tie.