By now, you’re probably already used to me writing about seasonal essentials, sharing lists of the best quality pieces, talking about the versatility of specific items and regularly sharing new finds in my “Things I Like This Month” column. Sometimes I’m asked about specific pieces, and whether I think they are something one truly needs, and there is no simple yes or no answer, as style is very personal - not everything works for everyone. The most important thing is to find the pieces you like and feel good in, and then figure out what to pair them with so you look even better.

So, with the start of a new season, I decided to create something a bit more personal - What I Enjoy and Will Be Wearing This Season.

I was recently thinking about how we change over time, and how our opinions, taste, and style evolve. Even if we keep the same pieces, we don’t wear them the same way every season, and what was our favorite item last year might not get much wear this time. As we change, even if just a little, we also want to try new things - so we get new pieces, incorporate them into our wardrobe, and then find new ways to wear them. So let me share which pieces I’m excited about this season.

Military Jackets

It’s very clear how much I like military jackets, and luckily there are enough different styles to be able to wear a military jacket every season. If you live somewhere warm, a jungle jacket could be enough all year, but in places with more than one season, you need at least two styles - a jungle jacket or HBT overshirt for warmer days and a field jacket for colder days.

I would say I like all of these styles, but I like some more than others. For many years, I believed that the M-65 is the superior field jacket. It’s the most modern version, with over 20 years of changes and updates compared to jackets made in the ’40s. So technically speaking, it is superior, but when it comes to style and personal preferences we’re not always 100% rational.

And then there’s also the fact that I won’t be wearing this jacket to the battlefield, so if I prefer the style and details on the M-1943, it doesn’t really matter that it isn’t as functional and practical as the M-65. What makes the biggest difference for me, is the pointed collar and lapel on the M-1943, which make it a lot more elegant compared to the stand collar on the M-65. The M-1943 also has buttons to close the jacket instead of a zipper, and all these details make it easier to wear even with smarter looks and tailoring. The M-1943 is also boxier because it's designed to be worn over a full military uniform, providing a bit more room for layering, which is very practical in colder months.

The only thing I prefer on the M-65 is the color, they used a lighter shade of olive, which I think looks nicer and is more wearable and versatile compared to the darker brown used on the M-1943. If you’re looking for one, you can always search for vintage, or check my list of The Best Quality U.S. Army Field Jackets available.

Suede Footwear

I know, you’ll probably say, “But you wear suede loafers all the time!” and that’s true - suede loafers are definitely the style I wear the most. I currently really enjoy wearing the beige suede Penny Loafer 01 from GRDS that I got this spring as a more affordable alternative to my Alden LHS Penny Loafers, since I wear loafers all year round. They were a bit tight at first, so I hadn’t worn them much, but then I reached for them more at the end of summer, and they stretched after just a few wears and are now perfect. I really like the shape and the proportions, and the details are just right. They are also a bit more rugged than Aldens, so they work really well with all types of very casual outfits.

Now that it’s colder and I’ll be wearing sportcoats more often, I look forward to wearing tassel loafers more as well. But I think no other footwear says autumn more than suede chukkas and Tyrolean shoes. I almost forgot that I have a pair of Kleman Padrors in brown suede, which work really well with both more casual outfits and smarter looks - they just pair so well with autumn fabrics (which we can say for all brown suede footwear), and I look forward to finally wearing them again.

When I want something less chunky, I go for a more classic autumn choice - chukkas. There are plenty of nice options out there, in all shapes, from very casual, like Astroflex, Drake’s, or Berwick, to more elegant versions from Crockett & Jones, Edward Green, Cheaney, TLB Mallorca, or Carmina. If you’re looking to get a new pair of chukkas, I’ve made a list of the Best Quality options available.

Dark Indigo Jeans

I wear ecru and light jeans all year long, and even though there might be more people who consider dark indigo the most versatile, I don’t agree with that. I believe dark denim becomes more practical during colder months. They are a perfect choice on a gloomy autumn day or when it rains, and they pair really well with tweed sportcoats and knitwear, as well as military jackets and mac coats. Even though I have a couple of pairs, I’m still on the hunt for “the one” with a perfect fit for my body type - a high rise and straight leg that fits well around the hips and thighs, with enough room from the knee down. There are a few great options that look very well-proportioned, and I hope to get the chance to try them soon: Superstitch Paris, Fortela, Allevol, Momotaro, Dawson Denim, Bryceland’s, Blackhorse Lane, Big John, Natalino, 3sixteen, and TCB - these are the ones that seem most likely to fit the way I want them to. I also already made a list of the best high-rise, straight-leg jeans in ecru and light blue wash.

Colorful Socks

Pedemeia Organic Cotton Ribbed Socks in Yellow

I really enjoy adding a pop of colour to neutral outfits with colorful socks. I think this small, colorful detail adds a nice personal touch and you usually have a couple of different options that work with a particular outfit, so you can pick one based on how you feel that day. Then, the next time you wear the same outfit, you might pick socks in a different color, which can change the whole look. I prefer ribbed socks because of the textured lines that make the whole outfit more elegant, and I usually wear the knee-high version so they don’t slip down when I walk. I currently swear by the 100% Cotton Fil D'Écosse and Merino Wool versions from Pedemeia. You can also check out the Best Quality Sock Makers or read How to Find the Right Balance Between Value and Price in Socks.

Lightweight Knitwear

When I start seeing people in knitwear, it means I have to accept that summer is over. And sometimes, when it gets colder than usual at the beginning of autumn, I’ll just wear more layers rather than taking out the heavier knitwear that I’m “saving” for winter.

Lighter knitwear is very easy to wear because it works with everything. I especially like it because it pairs really well with tailoring. If you want to wear something nice but not look too smart, just swap a shirt for knitwear - a polo, crewneck, or rollneck all work well with a sport coat, and even with a suit!

But each of these styles creates a different vibe. I have to admit that I struggle to make knitted polos really work with tailoring in autumn and winter, so I usually just stick to crewnecks and rollnecks, it depends on the weather and the occasion.

I already got the Malloch’s Natural Easton Merino Crew Neck Sweater, and it’s wonderful, but there are currently a couple of other great options I have my eyes on, like this Natalino Cotton Crew Neck Sweater or the Brushed Wool Polo Collar Jumper from Harley. Also, this lovely Brown Merino Wool Turtleneck from Poszetka, the Benny Wool-Cashmere Polo from Berg & Berg, the V-Neck Sweater or Cardigan from Rubato, or, if you want something very special, the Cashmere Light Aran Sweater from Inis Meáin.

For more knitwear options, check out Malloch’s, J. Press, H. N. White, Poszetka, Drake’s, William Crabtree, Colhay’s, Berg & Berg, Rubato, Inis Meáin, Gloverall, Bryceland’s, and Horatio London. I also made a list of the best-quality crewnecks and rollnecks available.

Padded Vests

I’m not really sure why, but I love a nice vest. Especially thicker padded vests, but unfortunately, here in Vienna they’re not really that useful, because they’re too warm for most days in autumn and not warm enough for most days during winter.

But I really like the new Fortela x Rocky Mountain Featherbed Vest they released for this autumn-winter season - especially the orange, burgundy, and navy versions. Western-style pearl snap buttons are a chef’s kiss detail on the orange one. And I always say that a vest is a piece of outerwear you’ll probably wear the least, so don’t be afraid to go with a bolder color than you usually choose for outerwear. If I had to pick one, I’d go with orange!

I believe a mid-weight vest (like this one from Fortela or this one from Lavenham) is probably the most versatile, as you’ll probably get the most wear out of it. I prefer to have some type of collar on a vest that I use as outerwear. But I also like thin, light vests that can be used as layering pieces under coats or jackets, and I just got the Lavenham Thornham in Ochre. To be honest, I got it mainly to wear as a mid-layer - under a coat or jacket. It fits me really well, it’s perfect under a jacket, but because the fit is so good, and also because it’s not too cold yet, I’ve actually worn it just with a sweater more often than my other vests. It works really well when you need something light to keep you warm or protect you from the wind, so it’s been my go-to outerwear for running errands. But since colder weather is just around the corner, I’m sure it will get more wear as the mid-layer I got it for.

Another great option is from Coldbreaker. They’re made from wool, so the aesthetic is a bit different, but I know a lot of people really like them, and they’re probably the most affordable quality option out there.

If you’re looking for more options, here’s my list of the best-quality vests available.

Bandana, Neckerchief, or Scarf

Poszetka’s Pocket Square (40cm) worn as bandana

During warmer months, I usually wear the top 2–3 buttons of my shirt open, so my neck is more exposed, and most of the time it doesn’t feel right wearing a bandana when so much skin is exposed. It works much better with just a t-shirt. But in autumn and winter, when we want to protect our neck, it’s a perfect opportunity to wear these beautiful accessories. If you want to add just a little bit of color or texture around your neck, you can hide the bandana under the sweater and make only the top part pop out a little - I find this works particularly well with smarter looks and even with tailoring. And with more casual looks, just wear it completely out, or, if we are talking about scarves, put it around the collar of your outerwear. I think this looks really cool, but it doesn’t work for everyone. Drake’s lookbooks are a good source of inspiration. Nice scarves and square scarves are relatively easy to find, but bandanas will take more time, so here are a couple of options - Drake’s, Fortela, Poszetka, Serà Fine Silk, Speciale, One Ear Brand, TCB, Samurai Jeans, Kobashi Studio, and Snail Brand Bandana.

Cowboy Boots

When I was younger, I made fun of cowboy boots, I thought they were outdated and character-like, unless you live in Texas. But I guess I got wiser and more open-minded with age, learned a lot and also that my style and taste have evolved and changed. As I mentioned above, it is part of life that our preferences and style change with different chapters and seasons in life. At the moment, even if it doesn’t really seem like it, I’m in my era where Westernwear is one of my main inspirations. It might not influence my personal style that much, but it’s something I really appreciate and enjoy, and I came full circle with cowboy boots. I won’t be only writing about them, but I finally decided to try them! I have to admit that I still have some doubts, but my idea is to wear them mostly with my M-1943 field jacket, but I especially want to make them work with smarter looks and tailoring, so expect to see that on my Instagram feed soon!

I prefer what I would say is a slightly sleeker style of cowboy boots, like the Cormac boots from Barbanera. But I also like the Gardian Boot from La Botte Gardiane. Even though these look a bit bulkier in product photos, they look much better on feet. It’s a similar situation with the 8060 Pecos Hawthorne Muleskinner Boots from Red Wing Shoes - they look way better on feet! These three seem like the best options for EU folks, but let me know if there are any other options available here. Of course, the most authentic cowboy boots are made in the USA, and the best makers are Tecovas, Lucchese, Rios of Mercedes, Boot Barn, or Zephan Parker.

Hunting Jackets

I was hesitating whether I should title this one Waxed Jackets, or even just My Barbour Jackets, but this might not be fair, because, yes, I love my Barbours, but it’s the style of these jackets that makes me like them so much. And even though most of the jackets in that style aren’t waxed, this doesn’t change how much I like them - it just changes how practical they are. I love the style of a hunting jacket because it’s a very unique mix of rugged fabrics and classic sartorial elements, which works very well with smarter looks, tailoring, but also very casual clothes. And because it’s so versatile and works with almost everything, I usually pick it when I don’t want to think too much about which outerwear to go with - I just need to pick the color. My favorite in that style is a Barbour Bedale - the proportions and the length just work best for me, even though I have to admit that for the last year or two I’ve been thinking about also getting a Beaufort, for days when I want to wear something a bit longer that’s not a coat, or for windy, rainy days when I want a bit more protection. There are some other great options, like the one I have from FOB Factory, or Drake’s, Fortela, De Bonne Facture, Anglo-Italian, Berg & Berg, Private White V.C., Kaptain Sunshine, The Anthology, or William Crabtree, or just check out my list of the best hunting jackets available.

Since I enjoyed putting together this list, I will probably do it again in a couple of weeks, just before winter arrives. Let me know if there are any pieces or combinations that you particularly enjoy wearing in autumn, or if there are any pieces that you wear differently compared to previous years.