7 Men’s Fall Fashion Essentials

This fall is all about refined basics recalling the cool American style of Paul Newman, Steve McQueen and James Dean. While many of the pieces this fall will have been constructed using the same methods and materials as the clothing they are inspired by, the fit is certainly updated for the modern man.

These 7 essentials your debonair editors have picked highlight the best of the season and can be worn all together or with just about anything else in your wardrobe. This season encourages you to use your clothing, to break it in and wear it out, to make it your own and wear it for a lifetime. Each of these pieces are made to last and even more, to channel that effortless style of the classic American man.

This burgundy check button-down shirt from Steven Alan is an integral part of any fall wardrobe and a must have for layering under sweaters, jackets and yes, Patagonia down vests. Roll up the sleeves on those odd Indian Summer days and be comforted that the Steven Alan craftsmanship will ensure years of use. ($180.00)

A good pair of denim is essential no matter what season, but perhaps none more important than in the fall when nights get chilly and you’re forced to trade in the shorts. These APC New Standards are incredibly popular for a reason: they’re made with heavy raw denim straight off the loom, so it’s you doing the breaking in and not some guy wielding a sandblaster at the factory in Taiwan. Get ‘em and you’ll thank us next Spring when you have a pair of perfectly broken in jeans. ($150.00)

Yvon Chouinard started Patagonia in 1970 after realizing he could make outdoor equipment lighter, warmer and more durable than the other guys. Since the day it began, Patagonia has been doing just that and this classic down vest is testament to the years of research and development (mostly in places you and I have never even heard of, nor would ever want to visit, think: the top of Anna Purna). The vest is a perfect layering piece to throw over a long sleeve shirt, ensuring your innards stay warm all day. What if the temperature suddenly climbs above 60F? Well this little guy packs into it’s on pocket, small enough to stash in your girlfriend’s purse. ($150.00)

Randolph Engineering has been the official sunglass supplier to the military for decades, meaning every Navy flyboy before and after Maverick have worn a pair. We figure, if these are good enough for the guys the government trusts with $30 million planes, they’re probably good enough for us. ($100.00)

“The G Series comes full circle” is what Canon says about its brand new G11. All we think is this could be the best camera since, well, the G10. Canon has installed its new DIGIC 4 image processor, the same they use in their much larger (and more expensive) DSLR models, which for everyone but the professional photographer means a must buy for taking on those fall weekend excursions upstate. Foliage anyone? ($500.00)

When Victorinox wanted to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the Swiss Army knife, they decided to go back to the original designs made way back in 1870 by Karl Elsener. The knife isn’t quite the multi-tool wonder like it’s sibling the SwissChamp, but has everything you would need for everyday life, be it at the office or on a day hike. We often wonder however about things like the SwissChamp, since when did you need a bag to carry your pocketknife? ($450.00)

Alden boots are about as classic American as you can get, they’re sturdy, comfortable and durable enough for every day use in the city (because lets face it, the city can take a much greater toll on your shoes than any trail in the woods). They’re made with welted leather soles and an all natural leather upper that over time will conform to your feet, plus you can take comfort in the fact that despite the economy, these boots are still made in the same factory in Massachusetts. ($395.00)