There is something rather satisfying about September. The mornings are a little crisper, the evenings begin to draw in and, after the relative chaos of summer, life starts to find its rhythm again. And for the well-dressed man, it is also the perfect excuse to take another look at the wardrobe.
Not necessarily to buy a completely new one.
In fact, quite the opposite.
The smartest autumn wardrobe is built around a handful of dependable pieces that can earn their keep. Shirts that can be worn solo or layered. Trousers that work just as well away from the office. Knitwear that can be thrown on when the temperature drops. And a good pair of shoes capable of navigating that increasingly blurred line between smart and casual.
It is less about following the latest trend and more about getting the foundations right.
Brook Taverner’s latest guide to the new season takes precisely this approach, highlighting some of the key pieces that can make the transition from summer into autumn a rather more stylish affair.
1. Start with a shirt that earns its place
The humble shirt remains one of the hardest-working pieces in any man’s wardrobe.
The trick for autumn is choosing something with a little more substance and character than the lightweight cotton shirts that have carried you through summer. Look for interesting textures and fabrics that can be worn on their own while the weather remains relatively kind, but equally comfortably beneath knitwear, tailoring or a jacket once things turn colder.
Brook Taverner’s Regular Fit Air Force Blue Cotton Needlecord Shirt ticks plenty of those boxes.
The needlecord texture gives what could otherwise be a straightforward blue shirt a little more personality, while the cotton construction keeps it comfortable enough for a full day. Wear it with chinos and loafers for the office, or leave the tie and tailoring at home and pair it with denim at the weekend.
That is the kind of versatility a September wardrobe should be built around.
2. Find trousers that can escape the office
There was a time when chinos occupied a rather specific position somewhere between jeans and formal trousers.
Thankfully, those days are gone.
A well-cut chino is now one of the most useful pieces a man can own, particularly when the brief is smart enough for Monday morning but relaxed enough for Friday evening.
Brook Taverner’s Regular Fit Bolt Teal Italian Fine Twill Stretch Cotton Chinos offer a welcome alternative to the seemingly endless parade of navy, beige and stone.
The flat-front design keeps things neat and contemporary, while the fine twill fabric provides a little more refinement than your average chino. There is also stretch in the cotton and a comfort waistband, which is exactly the sort of practical detail you appreciate after a long day.
And then there is the colour.
Teal is distinctive without being difficult. Wear it with a pale blue or white shirt, a navy crew neck and brown leather shoes, or take things in a more relaxed direction with knitwear and suede.
The point is simple: your trousers should work harder than your commute.
3. Get serious about knitwear
September is when knitwear comes into its own.
It is not quite cold enough to reach for the heavy winter coat, but there are mornings when leaving the house in nothing more than a shirt suddenly feels rather optimistic.
This is where the trusty jumper earns its place.
Brook Taverner’s Rooth Blue Chunky Lambswool Crew Neck Jumper brings some welcome texture to the autumn wardrobe while providing warmth without the bulk of heavier winter knitwear. The blue is equally useful, sitting comfortably alongside navy, grey, denim and the more earthy tones that naturally creep into an autumn wardrobe.
For something a little more sophisticated, however, the roll neck remains difficult to beat.
Brook Taverner’s Navy Cashmere Roll Neck Jumper, made from 100% Mongolian cashmere, is the sort of piece that can instantly make an outfit feel more considered. Keep it simple with tailored trousers and loafers, or layer it beneath an unstructured blazer for an effortlessly smarter take on autumn dressing.
And unlike some seasonal purchases, good knitwear has the advantage of looking better when it becomes familiar.
4. Finish the look with the right shoes
Finally, there is the footwear.
The arrival of autumn doesn’t mean every man needs to immediately reach for heavy boots. There is still plenty of mileage in smarter, lighter footwear, particularly during those transitional weeks when the weather can’t quite decide what season it is.
Boat shoes are particularly good at occupying that smart-casual middle ground.
Brook Taverner’s Loake Sardina Light Blue Suede Boat Shoes offer a softer, more relaxed finish, with a suede upper and durable rubber sole making them a practical choice for everyday wear.
The light blue is also a refreshing departure from the usual brown or navy, working particularly well with chinos, lightweight trousers and denim.
The September rule
Perhaps the most useful approach to the September wardrobe is to resist the temptation to overcomplicate things.
You don’t need an entirely new wardrobe simply because the calendar has changed.
Instead, look for pieces that can work together, layer easily and move comfortably between the different demands of modern life. A textured shirt, a versatile pair of chinos, quality knitwear and a dependable pair of shoes can provide the foundations for considerably more outfits than their individual price tags might suggest.
Because good menswear isn’t really about having more clothes.
It’s about having better options.
And as we head into autumn, that’s a pretty good place to start.
