A Guide to Dressing in the Fall
Throughout the American Northeast, the autumnal winds are beginning to welcome nature and humanity alike. Here in the Mohawk Valley, I welcome the disposing of our sultry summer with vigor. Indeed, fall is so magnificent at its vibrant crescendo that I dare say not even the Muses of Olympus can sing of its beauty aptly. For such a special yet ephemeral span, it is only fair to meet the occasion in our appearances. Thankfully, this can easily be accomplished in our choice of clothing. Although it may seem daunting for a college student (especially one from a STEM school) to spruce up their wardrobe, there are a few easy ways to seem more put together as we hail the new season.
The most fundamental way to elevate your appearance without necessarily modifying what you wear is by being more conscious of color selection. We are entering a period where the intensity of summer is beginning to mingle with mitigating climatic forces. Thus, it would seem appropriate to reflect this by choosing what we wear. When people think of hues associated with autumn, they are quick to conjure imagery of warm-colored foliage creating canopies that cascade over the landscape. While a palette of rich reds, oranges, and yellows is indeed suitable for the season, incorporating these colors too indiscriminately may result in your comparison to an oak tree.
To dress for the season while avoiding this, you need only appeal to the ultimate axiom: everything in moderation. For instance, if you wear a red sweatshirt, navy chinos or jeans may make the outfit more appealing than it would with pants in a quintessential fall shade. However, if you would prefer to avoid overindulging in colors, there are neutral shades that also convey the mood of autumn effectively. While I acknowledge that black is popular due to its ubiquity and unassuming nature, my recommendation would be to avoid it on account of the contrast its steadfast grimness arouses against a season of transformation. Instead, light brown may be a more optimal choice, as it is equally subdued yet paradoxically lifelike.
In terms of clothing choice itself, there are some fall-friendly items worth looking into that can be incorporated into virtually any style. Sweaters are the most noteworthy piece, and there are several varieties of the timeless garment that vary on formality. If you wish to stick to the casual end of the spectrum, solid-colored cotton pullovers on top of a T-shirt are probably the safest way to do so. On the dressier side, cable-knit cardigans and V-necks are both great choices for wearing over a button-down or flannel shirt, and can easily replace sports coats in the semi-formal professorial outfit. Finally, we have our middle-of-the-road option, a merino wool crewneck. The tightly woven knit of this fabric makes it both smart and casual, and its lightweight properties make it a perfect base layer when the weather may or may not call for a light jacket on top. Additionally, they can be dressed up or down, as it is acceptable to wear these sweaters both with and without a collared shirt underneath.
As someone who takes pride in his appearance, I can say without a doubt that fall is my favorite season to dress for. The palette and fabrics evoke toasty nostalgia, and I cannot help but smile after putting on an outfit that radiates the essence of autumn. I encourage everyone reading this to consider incorporating at least one of these ideas. Not only will your appearance improve, but I believe - without necessarily knowing you - that the way in which you carry yourself will exude more confidence.
