The Phia Edit: Everything Men Are Wearing This Fall

Men are wearing broken-in outerwear, soft knits, relaxed trousers and sturdy boots this fall, in a palette of brown, olive, charcoal and cream. Each grid starts from one question, what would a man actually reach for on a cool morning, and the answers run from jackets and knits to trousers and boots. Start with the jacket, because it sets the tone for everything under it.

Quilted shirt jackets and field jackets from Moncler, Vince and Diesel work over almost anything in a man's closet. Pick a length that stops at the hip and a color close to his trousers, then let the knit underneath do the talking. A jacket that looks lived in on day one is the whole point.

The knitwear from Moncler, Theory and Vince is cut slightly roomy, which is how the fall silhouette is meant to read. Cardigans and zip-neck sweaters layer under a jacket without bulk. Choose wool or cashmere blends in muted tones and the sweater will go with every trouser in the next grid.

Corduroy, chino and straight-leg denim from Frame, Ksubi and Vince give the outfit its ground. Finish with the boots and loafers from Ferragamo, Gucci and Versace, which are polished enough for dinner and sturdy enough for a long walk. Keep the trouser hem clean over the shoe and the outfit holds together.

We would skip anything with a loud logo in this edit. The fall look relies on texture and proportion, and a big graphic fights both. It is also not the right moment for skinny denim, which looks dated next to the wider cuts on these pages.

Fall dressing rewards patience. Buy in the order the weather asks for each piece, check how every item sits with the ones you already own, and return anything that needs a special outfit built around it. A closet that works on a Monday morning with no thought is the real measure of success.

If you take one thing away: buy the jacket and the boots first, then build the knits and trousers around them.