Building Your Fall Wardrobe? Pull From the Men

The way we see it, many of this fall’s wardrobe ideas for men and women are remarkably similar. There is the statement coat, which can serve as an instant fix-me-up (er … cover-up) for almost any outfit. There are upgraded sweats (always cool when worn under good outerwear), new laid-back backpacks and, as always, reimagined staples. This selection is geared to the menfolk, but, ladies, you might want to get your hands on some of it, too.

Coats, Put One Over on Them

A statement coat is an easy garment for making your mark. Many of the new topcoats for fall are relaxed and slightly oversize — some in rich colors, some in all-over plaids. Pull them on over casual jeans and khakis, or wear with more dressed-up tailoring. Sartorially speaking, it should be good to know that even in your least pulled-together state, a good coat has your back — and your front.

Because Guys Don’t Overthink Dressing

For all of the shirts and jeans in the shops, Alexander Drexler knows it’s still hard to find the perfect ones. After all, Mr. Drexler — whose father is the J. Crew chief executive, Millard S. Drexler — has retail savvy in his blood. With his Alex Mill label, which has its debut this fall, he has created a collection of key pieces, understanding that men like to find the right fit and fabric and buy more of the same. There are oxford shirts, straight-leg five-pocket jeans and T-shirts (the uniform) in a variety of fabrics and washes — and with the kind of subtle details that set a new label apart. Oh, and everything comes in kid sizes, too.

Too Good to Confine to the Gym

You don’t need to be Kanye to pull off the sweats, in slim cuts and nice fabrics, that are showing up this fall, all of them as suited for painting the town red as painting your bedroom red. Phillip Lim’s much-anticipated collection for Target includes these sweat pants, left, which look supercool with a leather jacket, backpack and slick sneakers. Todd Snyder, known for his smart tailoring, has a new collaboration with Champion, for which he rejiggered archival Champion pieces, like this sweatshirt with a chest pocket, in grays and oatmeals. Among other elevated sweats for fall, and not including those with a Bieber-esque drop crotch, are styles from Theory, Acne and Band of Outsiders.

Nothing to Carry? Find Something

A backpack, made over minimal and modern, is the bag of the moment for both sexes — and reason enough to look forward to fall. Look for leather options from the likes of Alexander Wang, Phillip Lim, Marc by Marc Jacobs and Givenchy. This satin style designed by Raf Simons for Eastpak, available in purple and navy as well as wide graphic stripes, is eye-catching but not overplayed, and comes at a nicely reasonable price.

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