Every autumn I find myself remembering one particular realisation about seasonal dressing: that British men are at their sartorial best when the clocks go back. After months of playing seasonal dress-up roulette every time you leave the house (Is it warm enough for shorts yet? Am I going to be the idiot in sandals?
Is today the day it inexplicably feels fifteen degrees colder?) there’s something comforting about September arriving and suddenly knowing that you’ve got it sartorially sorted once again. Autumn is like our comfort zone wardrobe-wise. Everything falls into place.
Rich colours. Layers.
Fabrics designed to keep you insulated when the weather is permanently stuck on “misty with a chance of rain”. ! [im1979_The Perfect British Autumn Wardrobe Capsule The image](http: //joewears.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/im1979_The Perfect British Autumn Wardrobe Capsule The image__094ebb1e-75c4-47be-bf42-f6454977742b_1.jpg “im1979_The Perfect British Autumn Wardrobe Capsule The image”) The proof is all in the clothes.
Fabrics like tweed, waxed cotton and heavyweight wool practically beg to be worn when the mercury dips. As do colours like forest greens, burgundies, mustard, and those perennial British winter favourites: dark blues and navy. Hell, even our national addiction with ‘getting out for a good walk’ feels more rational when the weather isn’t quite warm enough for you to spontaneously burst into a puddle of sweat after half a mile.
Bottom line: if you’re British and it’s autumn, you’ve got every reason to dress well. ! [im1979_The Perfect British Autumn Wardrobe Capsule The image](http: //joewears.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/im1979_The Perfect British Autumn Wardrobe Capsule The image__094ebb1e-75c4-47be-bf42-f6454977742b_2.jpg “im1979_The Perfect British Autumn Wardrobe Capsule The image”) I came to this conclusion a good eight years ago. It’s the reason this time of year fills me with excitement. I spent that miserable summer desperately hoping the weather would warm up enough to warrant wearing my linen shirts and lightweight trousers.
Then one morning in September I put on a light knit over an Oxford shirt, rolled up my jeans and slipped into a pair of boots. It was like I’d stumbled across my capsule wardrobe without even trying. Autumn, British style; perfectly engineered for me. ! [im1979_The Perfect British Autumn Wardrobe Capsule The image](http: //joewears.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/im1979_The Perfect British Autumn Wardrobe Capsule The image__094ebb1e-75c4-47be-bf42-f6454977742b_3.jpg “im1979_The Perfect British Autumn Wardrobe Capsule The image”) The overriding theme with these kind of clothes is versatility.
Layers, basically. September through to November are all about building your own personal micro-climate and being prepared to add and remove layers as necessary. Just as the British autumn day can fluctuate from chilly to pleasantly warm to straight-up cold within the space of an hour, your autumn wardrobe should be just as flexible. ! [im1979_The Perfect British Autumn Wardrobe Capsule The image 094ebb1e-75c4-47be-bf42-f64](http: //joewears.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/im1979_The Perfect British Autumn Wardrobe Capsule The image_094ebb1e-75c4-47be-bf42-f64.jpg “im1979_The Perfect British Autumn Wardrobe Capsule The image 094ebb1e-75c4-47be-bf42-f64”) Let’s start with the obvious; raincoat.
I don’t care how breathable your technical shell jacket is; if it’s raining in Britain in the autumn you need a waxed jacket. It’s a British sartorial rite of passage at this point. OK, so the Barbour may have been appropriated by Beormerville types and their dads in recent years, but it’s everywhere for a reason.
Mine is an aged Beaufort jacket that I picked up from a vintage shop in Manchester. It was about half the price of a brand new equivalent and already perfectly broken in with a lovely patina from years of wear. The previous owner had even recently rewaxed it, so it had all the character of an old jacket without the sod-all flexibility that new-waxed Barbour gives you. ! [im1979_The Perfect British Autumn Wardrobe Capsule The image](http: //joewears.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/im1979_The Perfect British Autumn Wardrobe Capsule The image__4312900a-cc88-457d-ac7f-cab5849578cd_0.jpg “im1979_The Perfect British Autumn Wardrobe Capsule The image”) If Barbour’s aren’t your thing then there are plenty of excellent alternatives.
Private White V. C. do an excellent wax cotton jacket that’s made in Manchester and comes in a much slimmer cut if that’s more your style. Percival’s waxed coaches jacket is also good for a more modern option that doesn’t scream “…and then we went off to shoot pheasants”.
I’ve even spotted perfectly serviceable ones from Wax London on the high street, though you’ll have to rewax them more often as the coating doesn’t tend to be as generous. The overshirt. Otherwise known as a shacket.
Words can’t describe how much I love these things. Basically a heavier-than-shirt, lighter-than-jacket hybrid. They’ve become my go-to for when it’s too nippy for a plain shirt but not quite waistcoat weather.
Heavier cotton twill is my material of choice; lightweight enough that you can still wear it tucked-in if you want to, but heavyweight enough to provide an extra layer. Fast fashion joints are really getting in on the act at the moment too, which means you can often grab a decent quality one without paying an absolute fortune. I’ve had mine from Universal Works for around five autumns now. ! [im1979_The Perfect British Autumn Wardrobe Capsule The image](http: //joewears.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/im1979_The Perfect British Autumn Wardrobe Capsule The image__4312900a-cc88-457d-ac7f-cab5849578cd_1.jpg “im1979_The Perfect British Autumn Wardrobe Capsule The image”) Next up are knitwear options.
We all know about the John Smedley crew neck in merino; autumn incarnate. Team with those S holmes duck brogues you’ve had since university and you will 100% be that guy walking around thinking you’re Alan Fletcher. But you will look incredible.
Doesn’t have to be Smedley by any means; Uniqlo do a pretty respectable take if you don’t want to drop half a weeks rent on a jumper. For something with a bit more texture, go for a lambswool cable knit. Traditional cream is great, but go bold with the colour if you’re feeling adventurous.
Mustard and burnt orange work brilliantly and give your outfit some extra depth. Margaret Howell do a fine version, but Albam and Community Clothing do great ones too at half the price. Scarves also autumn into this category.
Cashmere ones from Johnstons of Elgin if you’re treating yourself, but Aldo Commodities do a nice wool blend one that works brilliantly for the price. That said, getting a beautiful cashmere one is worth the investment if you can swing it. ! [im1979_The Perfect British Autumn Wardrobe Capsule The image](http: //joewears.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/im1979_The Perfect British Autumn Wardrobe Capsule The image__4312900a-cc88-457d-ac7f-cab5849578cd_2.jpg “im1979_The Perfect British Autumn Wardrobe Capsule The image”) Don’t sleep on the humble crew neck either. Flannels are great for adding some extra texture to an outfit, as well as keeping you warm on those ‘freshening up’ days where it’s just a little too chilly for a plain shirt.
The John Smedley one I mentioned earlier is about five years old now and still looks brand new; expensive? Hell yes. But it’s lasted longer than about twenty cheap alternatives I’ve purchased since.
If you’re on a budget, Uniqlo do some surprisingly good merino knits. On that note, how about a good old fashioned cardigan? You know.
One of those cozy wool numbers that your grandad used to wear. Don’t knock it til’ you’ve tried it. They’re fantastic for throwing over your shirt when it gets cold, but won’t make you sweat if you strip back down to your shirt and jeans around lunchtime.
Gap do some great value ones that look fantastic and surprisingly wearable. Drake’s do lovely shawl collar number that actually fit quite well too, but at £150 a pop you really need to be sure you’re going to wear it that much. Speaking of shirts… ! [im1979_The Perfect British Autumn Wardrobe Capsule The image](http: //joewears.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/im1979_The Perfect British Autumn Wardrobe Capsule The image__4312900a-cc88-457d-ac7f-cab5849578cd_3.jpg “im1979_The Perfect British Autumn Wardrobe Capsule The image”) When it comes to shirts, there’s something about that slightly heavier cotton shirt cloth that just screams autumn.
Plus it’s damn near indestructible when you’ve got all those wool layers you’ll be living in. I’ve tried every price bracket from J Crew to handmade American specialists and I’ll be honest with you; for shirts that you’re just going to chuck on day in, day out, the £70-£90 mark is probably where its at. Everything above that price is diminishing returns; Asket, Uniqlo U and Arket all do great ones that won’t break the bank.
Tailored for London do a fantastic shirt but they’re handmade so expect to pay a bit more. Similarly, Drake’s do lovely ones but you’ll be better off buying one of their excellent jumpers with that kind of budget. If you’re dressing down go for a long-sleeve heavyweight t-shirt or henley.
I’m in love with this Portuguese brand La Paz at the moment. Simply put; the cotton they use is the softest I’ve ever felt. Not only that, but the fibres seem to relax with each wash; getting softer and more flattering with age.
Community Clothing do a similar heavy interlock tee that’s another autumn favourite of mine. They’re expensive as hell but built like bloody tanks and made in the UK. As for trousers; heavyweight denim.
It’s nice to finally wear jeans that aren’t verging on winter weight after five months of torrential British Summer. Go dark blue and opt for a straight fit or slim/tapered. Blackhorse Lane do fantastic jeans that are built to last; I’ve had my E8s for around four years now and they’ve developed one of the nicest fades I’ve seen, and show no signs of letting up even after winters of near daily wear. ! [im1979_The Perfect British Wardrobe capsule](http: //joewears.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/im1979_The Perfect British Wardrobe capsule_edited.jpg “im1979_ The Perfect British wardrobe capsule”) Corduroy.
Another fabric that is 100% autumn. Grab a pair in burnt orange, bottle green or even chocolate brown. Go for a wider wale if you can; Flip forbid you end up with trousers that look like they’ve been nicked from your headmaster’s closet.
Drake’s and Albam do great ones, as does Massimo Alba if you’re feeling particularly boujee. If you want to dress up a little, flannel trousers are your best bet. Super versatile and work with shirts, knitwear and everything in between.
Been bangin’ on about the Anglo-Italian ones recently; pricey as hell but they fit like a dream and are made from ridiculously high quality fabrics. If you don’t mind getting them tailored (highly recommend) Uniqlo do a wool-blend pair that are absolutely brilliant for the price. Footwear.
Where’s your autumn/winter wardrobe really comes into its own. Our illustrious Clarks Desert Boot is great throughout the year; but there’s something about the weight of that suede that makes it perfect for autumn. I have a pair in sand that go with everything from jeans to chinos.
Just make sure you get your shoe shine bag out every now and again; they’ll last you years if you look after them. For when the heavens open, chelsea boots. There’s nothing worse than laces getting soaked and painful feettennis on a miserable Monday morning.
Invest in a pair of R. M Williams if you can swing it; they’re the gold standard but a bit spendy. Loake do a solid replacement at about a tenth of the price.
You could even get away with ones from Drake’s. Just remember to treat the leather before the rain starts; there’s nothing worse than having soaked boots cling to your feet all day. If you can brave the cold go for a classic pair of Derbys.
Tricker’s make the granddad shoe of choice; their Stow boot is an institution.
I’ve resoled mine twice and they’re still bullet proof. Solovair are also pretty decent if you want something more affordable.
Ditto Dr. Martens; they take a beating and look amazing when they’re seasoned. Finally; beanies.
Get a neutral coloured beanie and thank me later. Not only do they keep you warm when you’re rushing out the door but Johnstons of Elgin make some amazing cashmere ones if you’re feeling fancy. As mentioned previously, Albam do a great wool one that won’t break the bank.
Community Clothing also do a nice ribbed beanie too. And that’s it! Roll round those seasons with confidence knowing you’ve totally got this.
See you on the other side.
