The Best Fall Clothes for Men, According to Men’s Health’s Fashion Director

Whether you’re on a chilly morning run, or just lounging around the house, this longsleeve merino crewneck is deceptively soft and warm. It provides all the warmth of a heavy jersey sweatshirt in a much lighter weight package. Plus, merino wool has superior breathability and moisture regulation.

Smartwool is a brand that puts fabric first and foremost, which means high performance and even higher durability. This merino crewneck will keep your body heat locked in as a base layer on a hike, and show off your hard-earned gains on a night out.

Waffle knit thermal shirts have such a rich history that they will never go out of style and look great with a massive range of looks. Buck Mason makes an excellent reproduction of the military surplus models that made the style iconic in the mid-twentieth century. Try it under a leather jacket or over your favorite flannel shirt.

Every guy could use a good heavyweight long sleeve tee. Abercrombie makes one of the best and most affordable options we’ve come across. We like to wear this under a wool sweater, or has a pared down alternative to a hoodie.

Patagonia built this long sleeve tee for endurance activities, with excellent moisture and body heat regulation. It is an excellent base layer for endurance activities like long distance hikes and chilly weather cycling. Sweat disappears quickly and washing is a breeze thanks to a super fast drying design.

A modern take on long underwear, this tee has a stretchy compression fit that wears comfortably under pretty much anything. It locks in body heat really well for such a thin fabric, which makes it really effective as a stand-alone shirt for outdoor training.

Found: the rare button-down shirt that can handle the elements. Aztech Mountain’s Loge Peak thick flannel, reinforced at the elbows, even has a flippable magnetic collar that can turn into a turtleneck.

This flannel from Todd Snyder has a secret ingredient that is typically found in summer button down shirts. It’s Viscose that has been blended with cotton to make a silky soft and light fabric. This wears more like a dress shirt than a lumberjack uniform, and looks extra sharp with a tie.

With two button-flap chest pockets, a boxy fit, and a goes-with-everything black and white plaid, this flannel shirt from American Eagle is a cold weather staple. And at this price point, we can’t think of a reason not to pick this one up.

The Alaskan Field Guide Shirt from Filson is your grandfather’s flannel, and we mean that in the best way possible. Everything we love about this top—the warmth, comfort, durability, and functionality—revolves around the burly cotton twill fabric. Like a good pair of jeans, it will just get better with age.

Uniqlo teamed up with J.W. Anderson for a capsule collection, and made an incredibly versatile flannel shirt. It has a single patch chest pocket, which gives a slightly dressier look than traditional double pockets. It is a perfect piece for cold weather layering.

Bright, bold plaid shirts are easier to pull off than you might think. J.Crew’s Seaboard shirt, for example, adds just enough color to jeans and a navy topcoat. Any well rounded winter wardrobe needs an accent piece like this.

L.L. Bean’s durable knit flexes with you,and is made entirely of superwarm (but breathable!) wool. The bird’s-eye pattern looks extra great under a parka or even your office jacket.

Think of this mockneck sweater from Ralph Lauren as a refined alternative to a quarter-zip. The speckled texture and slightly chunky knit blend perfectly with an oxford shirt and corduroy pants. Don’t worry about a scratchy wool feel because this sweater is made with nylon and silk for a smooth touch.

Even though this sweater has a chunky look, the waffle knit makes for a loose and slouchy drape that is incredibly comfortable. Wool and cashmere are blended for a soft feel, breathable warmth, and long lasting durability. This is your new grab-and-go sweater.

Another piece from the Uniqlo x J.W. Anderson capsule, this full-zip cardigan has a refined look, yet a relaxed feel. Zip the neck all the way up for extra warmth, or leave it open for a collared (and dressy!) effect.

J.Crew is a heavyweight in the field of cozy fall sweaters, and this bird’s-eye crewneck is as classic as it gets. It is a great pattern to layer under a denim jacket or peacoat. Dress it down with some joggers and running shoes, or up with dress pants and loafers.

A thin merino wool crewneck sweater is a business-casual and semi-formal essential for the fall and winter. Banana Republic offers one that fits just right, half-way between slim and classic. Wear it with a pair of dark jeans, or suiting slacks with dress shoes for an easy and put-together look.

This is hands-down the most luxurious shirt-jacket we’ve ever worn this year. This cashmere beauty looks and fits like a boxy two-pocket shacket in a brown buffalo plaid. But the fabric is so buttery soft, and has a beautiful texture up close.

Try a modern take on the shirt-jacket with this tech infused version from Lululemon. The polyester fabric is stretchy, sweat wicking, and quick drying for athletic performance. But this piece is better suited for long days at the office and long nights around a campfire.

This fuzzy shacket from Vuori is the closest you can get to wearing a blanket in public without getting odd looks. The boxy fit and snap front wears like a coat, and the simple plaid is an instant style upgrade for any outfit.

Heavy twill button down shirts like this come with nearly endless styling possibilities. The simple two-pocket design and neutral tan color can carry an outfit with jeans and t-shirt, or make a clean base for a down vest, plaid scarf, and wool beanie. There are no wrong answers here.

More jacket than shirt, this sherpa-lined top from Faherty is as warm and cozy as a sleeping bag. The high pile fleece provides tons of insulation and cushioning, and the cotton-wool exterior is soft to the touch. Hang this one by your front door because you’re going to want easy access to it all fall.

Canada Goose’s puffer traps heat with real down and (get this) packs up easily into pocket-size if the weather warms up. Cold snap? Throw the vest over a heavyweight sweatshirt for extra warmth.

As the name suggests, this down vest from Uniqlo is extremely lightweight and thin. At the same time, it is really well insulated. Add a layer to warmth under your jackets and blazers, or over your hoodies and sweaters.

Big puffy vests are a cool retro look that never go out of style, re: Marty McFly. American Eagles makes a cinnamon brown option that is neutral enough to go with just about anything in your closet.

Lululemon’s Navigation down vest is wind and water resistant, making it ideal for cold weather runs and long mountain hikes. Tuck your phone and keys into a convenient inner zip pocket located on the mid-chest to keep them secure.

If warmth is your primary concern, this is the vest for you. Land’s End packed this puffer with real down at 600 fill power, which—trust us—is very effective insulation. Throw it over a cable knit sweater for an easy fall look.

Fall Style Hack: keep a packable vest in your work bag or vehicle for unexpected temperature drops. Tommy Hilfiger makes a great option with a high zip neck and two small hand pockets.

Yes, Nobis’s duck-down-filled parka can keep you toasty in arctic conditions. But it’s also reversible. One side is outdoor-ready camo, the other an office-appropriate solid.

The Langford Parka is literally designed to survive Antarctica, so it’s plenty warm enough for anywhere in the lower forty-eight states. Cargo space is another benefit to this heavy duty winter jacket, with four exterior and three interior pockets.

Puffy is an understatement for this parka. It is a streamlined version of North Face’s heaviest duty jacket, made light and flexible enough for your everyday errands. The high-zip neck is especially useful when the winter winds pick up.

Columbia’s Marquam Peak Parka stood toe-to-toe with jackets that cost more than twice as much in our testing. Weather resistant fabric, very effective insulation, and ample cargo space make this one of the best value options out there.

Arc’teryx’s Atom Hoody is a heavy hitter: Its insulated midlayer keeps you warm in sub-zero temps, its nylon shell is wind- and water-resistant, and it weighs in at just under a pound.

The Patagonia Windshadow parka does everything you need a winter jacket to do. The DWR treated shell is fully waterproof and has strong wind resistance, which is especially effective when the high-zip hood is cinched down with an easy access drawcord.

Patagonia’s Point Peak pants offer high end performance both on and off the trail. The fabric is durable and water resistant without compromising breathability. Ample stretch means that the slim fit is both stylish and functional on the move.

What looks like a common chino, is actually an ultra flexible tech pant from Banana Republic. Upgrade your office performance and everyday comfort without anyone being any the wiser.

Durability and weather resistance are the key features of this high performance tech pant. Leave this one for venturing out in adverse weather at home and tackling outdoors adventures.

This jogger from Smartwool is built from a hightech, wool based fabric that is weather resistant, breathable, and warm. It is a great casual pant for the coldest part of the year, and styles just like any other jogger in your wardrobe.

Eddy Bauer’s straight leg trail pant is water resistant and sporting inset zipper cargo pockets. This is a great piece to have on hand when cold rain comes around, whether you’re running errands or hiking trails.

What’s so special about this rugged cargo pant from Stone Island? It’s where the materials come from. Recovered cotton is used for the fabric and pigments pulled from recycled materials is used for the dye. The stylish straight leg fit and comfortable drawstring waistband are great for everyday wear.

Ted Stafford is the Fashion Director of Men’s Health. He oversees all style and fashion content for the brand, and also styles their fashion stories. His active lifestyle informs his passion for translating great designs into real-life style, a favorite part of his job. Prior to joining Men’s Health he worked at GQ magazine and Calvin Klein