2020 Men's Fall Fashion Trends
The 10 styles that will amp up your wardrobe.
Since the world has already experienced its fair share of drama this year, men's fashion for fall 2020 brings a pared-down focus on quality essentials.
High on sophistication, this year's fall fashion trends are anything but boring. In fact, they offer the perfect opportunity to indulge your adventurous side if that's what you're yearning for. Color? Check. Prints? Yep. Dramatic silhouettes? You bet.
Ready to meet the cooler weather with upgraded style? These are the looks to welcome into your wardrobe with this fall.
Suiting with a vibrant twist
The suit silhouettes are still as sharp as ever, but fall 2020 sees a more exuberant palette than past years. Watch for brightly colored pieces in emerald, ochre, and orange. Suits and jackets in these hues—made from warm, textured corduroy or wool flannel—can transition from the not-so-corporate office to more social affairs. Wear them with Fair Isle or cable-knit sweaters, or print button-downs in windowpane or tonal camouflage shirt patterns. To break up the color, opt for neutral-hued trousers.
Prints on everything
Photorealism, camouflage, reptilian—prints in all their forms dominate trendy men's fashion this season. Start with shirts in floral or landscape prints that land just shy of aloha shirts. Or look for fluid, swirling patterns evocative of pop art or 1960s tie-dye. You can wear them with your vibrant suit (see above) or—for the adventurous—pair them with print trousers. Animal prints are also back in a big way, but wear them with warm neutrals like tobacco or khaki to soften the look.
Statement monochrome
If you like your attire on the more dramatic (or monochromatic) side, you're in luck. We're also seeing a return to the complete counter to patterns and color: head-to-toe black or white. The texture is where the interest lies, whether it's matte or marled fabrics or those with sheen and gloss.
For black, think vampire-inspired trendy men's style, incorporating lace, brocade velvet, and baroque finishes. On the opposite end of the spectrum, an all-white look is an unorthodox choice for fall—and that's the whole point. Choose a jacket in an unexpected silhouette or fabric, like a shawl collar in velvet, and matching trousers. If you're not quite ready to commit to complete monochrome, add in black wool pants and a crisp, white banded-collar shirt, and infuse a pop of color (even fluorescent) with accessories and contrast stitching.
It's all in the (workwear) details
The workwear aesthetic is a still strong influence for fall outfits, but it has evolved slightly. That flap pocket you usually associate with cargo pants? Look for it on shirts and coats as well. Head-to-toe dressing also fits this trend, by matching a work shirt and pants rendered in a more luxurious fabric (think: mid-century gas pump jockey but make it fashion). Pull on a short Eisenhower jacket when things start to cool down, and keep accessories to a minimum with a strong, tonal belt and simple boots.
Fuller silhouettes
Volume is key to men's style this season. Down jackets appear to engulf the wearer. Long coats are loose and draped. Pants are full and extra long. Start with an oversized sweater and an untucked patterned shirt over wide-leg pants. Then add a roomy, retro overcoat in tweed or herringbone for a layered look that projects confidence.
Texture everywhere
Always key to fall, this season texture embraces its softer, natural side, manifesting in fuzzy wool sweaters and merino knit shirts. Donegal flecks add homespun texture, while leather-like or dull metallic finishes provide a grittier aesthetic, but balance is key. A voluminous hand-knit cardigan or crewneck is a great place to start. Wear it with thick, cotton trousers in a soft, suede finish and keep the shirt crisp and neat.
Baring it all
Transparent fabrics might seem counter-intuitive for cooler temperatures, but somehow they still work. Seek out shirts constructed in transparent, organdy-like or sheer-knit fabrics that leave little to the imagination, or that feature cutouts to let skin or inner layers peek through. Wear a breezy, see-through oversized shirt over an opaque tee or tank top, with a pair of fuller, neutral trousers that create a nude effect (but bring a jacket, just in case—it is fall, after all).
Brand awareness
Logomania picks up where it left off for spring, but it's a little more sedate. The oversized or repeated-logo design motifs that have dominated social media are still important, but toned down a touch. Look for T-shirts with minimalist, socially conscious messages, or sweaters with intarsia graphics. We like wearing the look with denim, but then dressing it up with a jacket or coat in a classic menswear fabric like wool or tweed.
Sophisticated accessories
The return to a dressier, tailored spirit means accessories have also gotten an upgrade. While statement sneakers aren't going anywhere anytime soon, this is the season to invest in boots. Keep an eye out for black boots with a sheen and unexpected touches like transparent heels or contrast stitching, or brown boots with textured leathers and chunky soles for an upscale, outdoorsy vibe. For carrying around your essentials, ditch the backpack in favor of chunkier bags with lots of room that can be easily stuffed under an arm or thrown over a shoulder. And as for headwear, embrace the return of the bucket hat and opt for a statement-making print or an elegant textured finish.
Style with social conscience
What we also love about this year's fall style is that it channels the zeitgeist—emphasizing sustainability, social messaging, and grassroots activism. From streetwear to suiting, there's a renewed emphasis on brands that don't just make great clothes that will last, but who also take a stand on the global issues that matter.
