Fall Layering Tips for Men

Layers aren’t just for warmth, they’re for style, too.

Detail shot of men’s layered fall outfit

Find your new favorite must-haves with personal styling.

As we approach a new season and start to feel a chill in the air, it’s only appropriate to talk about layering tips for fall. Not just for warmth, but for style, too. We’ve selected three categories to think about when pulling together an outfit with layers. Master one at a time—or, if you’ve got the hang of it—feel free to combine them all.

Think proportionally

Your choice of fall outerwear matters, especially when working with a longer coat. If your topcoat hits between your mid-thigh and knees, you’ll want to keep the outfit underneath relatively formfitting. Reach for slim or slim-straight pants and sweaters without much bulk, then tie it all together with sleek boots or cool sneakers. The clean, straight lines will make you look taller, and let your coat be the star of the show.

Pro tip:

Always ensure your topcoat is longer than your sport coat or layering jacket. See a more casual way to pull off this look, below.

Layering proportions quick tips

Start with a long-length statement coat or jacket.
Keep inner layers fitted and shorter than the outer layers.
Low-key footwear will help keep the look streamlined.

Be mindful of color

Stick with one statement piece per outfit. That might be your favorite pair of flashy sneakers, or in this case, a great mustard bomber. But that’s not to say you can’t add more color elsewhere. We’ve layered two simple tees under the jacket, choosing to stick to neutral shades of grey and navy to balance out the pop of color from the bomber. A simple pant, like these burgundy chinos, grounds the look.

Pro tip:

Classic prints are an easy way to add more color to your look. Below, we’ve styled a layered outfit that incorporates a plaid shirt.

Layering color quick tips

Choose one brightly colored piece to be the star of the show.
Layer on complementary colors that balance out the look.
Add a few neutral pieces to bring everything together.

Try varying textures

Overlapping textures may be the less obvious way to layer, but it’s still a very visible way to mix things up. For a classic workwear look, you really can’t go wrong starting with a crisp, white shirt. Balance out the polish of the shirt with rustic-looking fabrics and details like a knit tie or selvedge denim. As far as sport coats go, choose one with visual texture in a windowpane check or a plaid. And with all that going on in your outfit, it’s best to stick with a smooth leather shoe.