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My Fall Aesthetic, Part I

by Aug 22, 2017
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It’s a question I’ve been asked often, and frankly, it’s a question that’s often met with the answer, “Well, how much time you got?” Some questions deserve not just answers, but clarifications that need to be expounded upon so the inquiring mind is completely satisfied with the information in front of them.

“Will – what’s your fall aesthetic going to be this year?”

You see, it’s just not that simple. Which is why we’re going to dedicate the next twelve weeks to really nailing down what a fall aesthetic means to not only me – but you as well.

When you think of autumn, you think of the following: craft beers, crackling and colorful leaves, Joe Fox and Kathleen Kelly in New York City, layers, scarves, backyard football. Nothing new here. But when you think of what to wear this fall? Well, that’s when you need to take it a step further.

Today, we’ll begin with some preliminary guidelines. Nothing major, just a basis that we’ll work with plowing forward. If you need to use a composition booklet to take notes, feel free to do so. Putting pen to paper is a lost art that should be cherished.

Exhibit A: Early Fall

Fall vibes.

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As you can see from the foliage in the background of this photo, Cory Matthews and Mr. Feeny are surrounded by several trees that seem to be in the mid-to-late stages of the season.

Cory – young and spry – is still wearing shorts and a tee-shirt. This is completely acceptable given the temperature in Philadelphia around this time of year. Sure, nights will be cold, but he’s been riding his bike around the neighborhood probably trying to stop Shawn Hunter from blowing up even more mailboxes with cherry bombs. It’s not about the clothes themselves as much as it’s about the colors. Red, yellow, black, teal, all paired with navy shorts that may or may not have pleats.

I’m going to say this one time and one time only (plus about a hundred times moving forward) – I’m all in on pleats this season. Write that down. When you see pleats this fall, you think of me. Pleats are the new wave and you’re either in or you’re out. Cory? He’s in.

Mr. Feeny, on the other hand, is dressed much more conservatively and appropriately. A denim overcoat paired with a forest green plaid sport shirt is simply breathtaking. The windowpane nature is an autumn staple. Perhaps purchased from Brooks Brothers or Brooks Brothers Outlet given that Mr. Feeny is working on a teacher’s salary at this point in his career. The sleeve roll on the denim? Yeah, I gasped too when I saw it.

The vibes of this photo are simply beyond. From the filter used (which we’ll get to next week) to the composition, it encompasses everything you remember from those fall days after school. When you’re wandering down this road that we call “aesthetics” wondering what we’re doing, know that you’ll always have a friend that’ll stand by you much like these two.

Exhibit B: Recreation

Chandler and Monica.

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When you lose your true north while trying to nail down your fall fashion, you need to use the football episode from Friends as your home base. It truly has everything.

Case in point: Chandler and Monica.

These two go together like a Bell’s Two Hearted Ale and a basket of chicken wings. Each don a pair of oversized sweatpants with an oversized crewneck sweatshirt. Again, these are absolute musts.

Chandler is going with a much more conservative look – non-descript logo-less apparel outside of his backward hat which appears to be that of The New York Football Giants. As we saw before with Mr. Feeny, he rolled the sleeves up perfectly to maximize his range of motion while throwing and receiving. A real veteran move that Monica’s obviously taken a liking to. His sweatshirt, again like Mr. Feeny, is hunter green. I love it so much that I legitimately want to throw up.

Monica, on the other hand, is in gameday mode. Giants sweatshirt, a pair of give-up heather grey sweatpants, and her hair tied back with an elastic headband. If I were a single man at a bar nursing a hangover while watching the Detroit Lions, I’d offer to buy her an amber ale. We’re not sure – it could be the first day of the rest of our lives.

The scene for these two is, again, what truly makes the photograph. After all, if you’re not taking photos of your fit, you never truly got a fit off to begin with. The leaves act as their oriental rug while the backdrop of a New York City park is their sanctuary. Perfectly executed on all fronts.

Exhibit C: Bar Attire

Tag the crew member you're most thankful for.

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Perhaps the most important aspect of your fall wardrobe is what you wear to the bars. There’s simply nothing else to do at night during the fall besides drink brown liquids while layering up. Sure, these two are at a Thanksgiving meal cheersing some cider, but their fits are transcendent.

Much like pleated pants, it’s time to accept that you need to invest good money into a fall jacket. It’s what separates the commoners from the tastemakers. Leaf-covered sidewalks are your runway, and a fall coat is your statement piece.

Shawn appears to have gone with the conservative brown coat, unzipped. Always leave it unzipped (that is, unless your stroll through the park turns a bit nippy). Given that Shawn came from a modest upbringing, we’re going to assume he didn’t drop the money Cory did on his coat. He likely went with L.L. Bean’s Original Field Coat in waxed cotton. It compliments his earth tones well which is really all that matters. Just because this is under $200 doesn’t mean that it lacks in quality – it doesn’t have to be expensive. Shawn’s a working class guy from a working class family. But he also crushes his look.

Cory, on the other hand, went with another option. Say it with me now: f-o-r-e-s-t g-r-e-e-n. It’s difficult to say, but it looks like the waxed material of the coat is completed with some corduroy trim. While this isn’t a revelation, it’s utter perfection. Any sort of waxed canvas during the months of September through November is welcomed. Cory, because his father owns an outdoors store, likely went with a more expensive option that his dad picked up for him at cost. A classic Barbour Beaufort® Jacket or a Filson Cover Cloth Mile Marker Jacket, the more rugged choice. I chose the latter, and yes, it’s been working wonders.

Fear not if your aesthetic isn’t quite on point. That’s why we’re here. It’s only August, after all, and we’re simply in the preparatory phases. What we do in late summer echoes in autumn. See you next week.

Take these suggestions to heart, and find more by shopping The Touching Base Collection on Man Outfitters.

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