10 Autumn Wardrobe Upgrades That Make A Real Difference

The difference between a good autumn wardrobe and a great one comes down to the quality of the garments within. A pair of boots or piece of outerwear might look the part, but the true test is whether you’re still leaning on that piece several years down the line. If you buy the best version you can afford, the likelihood of that being the case increases.

This is always at the front of our mind when we’re shopping for something new. How can we upgrade from the offset instead of buying the same thing again later? In autumn, when your clothes and footwear have to work harder against cold temperatures and wet conditions, it’s arguably even more important to consider.

So what upgrades should you be making this season to get the most mileage and enjoyment out of your autumn wardrobe? From investing in a proper coat to spending more on shoes built to last, these are the things we’ll be funnelling more of our hard-earned money into this season.

Buy A True Transitional Jacket

Peregrine

It’s too late in the year to rely on an unlined overshirt but still far too early to be reaching for the parka. Still, plenty of men seem determined to muddle through autumn in one or the other, perpetually either slightly too hot or too cold, and never truly comfortable.

A proper transitional jacket bridges the gap. What’s more, with proper layering (or a deliberate lack thereof), it can carry you through winter and summer’s cooler days too.

A classic wax jacket, such as those perfected by Barbour, is one of the best examples, offering weather protection, a roomy cut for easy layering, and timeless good looks. Plus, it only improves the more you wear it.

Invest In Layering-Specific Pieces

Wax London

Gilets, down liner jackets, rollneck sweaters – these are the types of garments that make layering interesting, adding depth to outfits and letting you tailor your insulation to whatever the weather decides to do that day.

They’re worth spending on because they make getting dressed more versatile, and they’re surprisingly adaptable, as you can stack them or strip them away to handle both warm and cold weather.

To get the ball rolling, we’d suggest shopping for an unlined gilet in a textured fabric, such as boiled wool. Look for one with buttons or a two-way zipper so you can wear it open at the bottom for ventilation and keep the layers underneath visible.

Universal Works, Kestin and Wax London have some great options. Get yourself a down liner jacket like those sold by Taion and Danton while you’re at it.

Upgrade Your Scarf To Cashmere

Luca Faloni

A scarf is one of those things that’s easy to cheap out on. After all, how different can one rectangle of fabric really be from another? Quite different, as it turns out. Upgrading from scratchy synthetic fibres or basic wool to proper cashmere is one of those small changes that makes a massive difference.

It’s softer, lighter and warmer than regular wool, meaning you get plenty of insulation without having to wrap half a sheep around your neck. Go for something relatively plain in a colour that works across your wardrobe – grey, camel, navy or charcoal are difficult to get wrong.

Look after it properly and a good cashmere scarf will last for years, which makes the admittedly lofty initial outlay much easier to justify.

Don’t Settle For A Lesser Overcoat

Velasca

An overcoat is one of the biggest autumn-winter purchases you’ll make, so this is not the place to cut corners. Cheap versions might look convincing on a hanger, but lightweight fabric, a poor fit and a high synthetic content soon become apparent once you start actually wearing them.

Spend more and you’ll generally get better wool, more substantial construction and something that hangs properly rather than flapping around in the breeze.

Look for a roomy cut with enough space for knitwear or even a light jacket underneath. Raglan sleeves also help keep things relaxed and versatile.

For colour, charcoal, navy and camel are the safest bets, but dark brown is a particularly strong option if you want something slightly less predictable and on trend.

Buy well and you could still be pulling the same coat out of storage 20 autumns from now.

Quartz < Mechanical

Doxa

A proper mechanical watch is probably one of the most significant gifts you’ll ever buy for yourself, but it’s something you’ll have for life. There’s nothing inherently wrong with a battery-powered quartz movement, but there’s something about the intricate engineering involved in producing an automatic movement that just makes it that bit more special.

Our first piece of advice is to buy something versatile so your investment goes further. It’s hard to beat a simple dive watch on a bracelet in terms of sheer versatility.

Second, you don’t have to blow your retirement fund to get a good one. Seiko famously has some excellent options for well below the £500 mark, while Doxa produces, in our opinion, one of the most handsome dive watches under £1,000 in the Sub 200. You can also buy vintage.

Prioritise Fit

We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: find a good local tailor or alterations shop and befriend them. If you’re anything like us, your wardrobe is probably overflowing with pieces you never wear because they just don’t quite fit right, and one of the most cost-effective upgrades you can make is to fix that.

It doesn’t matter how much a garment costs, how well made it is or whose name is on the label – if it doesn’t fit properly, it will never look right. So, before you do anything else, make sure you’ve got that part dialled in.

And Fabric

Second to fit is fabric. Cheap materials might present themselves as a good deal, but they’ll reveal their true nature over time. Scrimp on poor-quality synthetics and the difference will be obvious – if not by the awkward sheen, then in the way the garments lose their shape over time or degrade quickly.

Instead, buy pieces made from the best-quality materials you can afford, and prioritise natural fibres over synthetics. Think cashmere, flannel, heavyweight cotton and merino rather than polyester, nylon and acrylic.

Spend More On Shoes That Will Last

Myrqvist

Footwear is one area where spending more can genuinely pay dividends. Cheap shoes are often built to be worn until something fails and then thrown away, whereas a properly made pair can be repaired, resoled and kept in rotation for decades. They’ll generally look better as they age too, particularly if you opt for good-quality leather or suede.

Look for stitched rather than glued construction – Goodyear welting and Blake stitching are good things to have on your radar – and stick to classic styles you’re unlikely to tire of. A pair of sturdy derbies, loafers or leather boots will work with almost anything and only get better with wear.

Paraboot, Tricker’s, Kleman and Red Wing are all worth a look.

Good Denim Doesn’t Come Cheap

Iron Heart

We’ve all owned those jeans that look great for six months before the knees go baggy, the fabric thins out and the whole thing starts feeling a bit sorry for itself.

Good denim is different. It’s heavier, better constructed and designed to improve with wear rather than simply deteriorate.

You don’t necessarily need to disappear down the raw-denim rabbit hole, memorising fabric weights and debating the merits of different Japanese mills. Just look for something substantial, preferably made from 100% cotton, with solid hardware and a fit you’ll still want to wear when the next trouser trend rolls around.

Brands like OrSlow, FULLCOUNT, Warehouse & Co., and Iron Heart make some of the best. Yes, they’re expensive, but divide the price by a decade of wear and suddenly the maths starts looking considerably friendlier.

Go For Gore-Tex

Montbell

If you want a waterproof jacket, stop mucking about trying to save money and just get yourself a proper Gore-Tex one in the first place. This stuff is designed to stop water droplets from passing through while still letting sweat vapour escape. The result is that you stay bone dry in wet weather.

Yes, other fabrics do much the same thing, but do you really want to waste hours and hours researching outdoor gear? The fact is that Gore-Tex has proven its worth over decades of hard use, so why shop around?

Check out Nanamica and Veilance for a good blend of performance and aesthetics.