4 cool men’s outerwear trends to shop for this fall

One of the many reasons we look forward to the men’s Fall/Winter Fashion Weeks is to check out the myriad men’s outerwear trends for the upcoming seasons. Proper outerwear is arguably one of the most crucial sartorial investment pieces for anyone in the Northern Hemisphere, but also one of the best tools to elevate your wardrobe in a stylish yet practical way. Form meets function in the perfect winter coat or jacket: it will—obviously—make cold mornings bearable and also make or break your look.

But what are the trending styles for this fall? This year’s trends are all about classic and timeless styles that will add to the longevity of your wardrobe. These staple coats and jackets are often reminiscent of retro looks with a modern twist, and thread the line between ageless and contemporary.

If you’re in the market for a new cold weather ally, here are four of our favourite timeless men’s outerwear trends for Fall 2024.

Spanning from womenswear to menswear, the oversized bomber is decidedly on the way to becoming Fall 2024’s must-have jacket. Padded, voluminous designs have dotted the FW24 runways for both women and men, making the bomber an enduring staple in anyone’s wardrobe.

The bomber jacket caught the attention of mainstream fashion in the 80s after serving as a military and subculture staple for decades and has been going strong since. The endorsement from movie stars like Steve McQueen and Marlon Brando has transformed the utilitarian bomber into a cultural icon.

Today, the bomber jacket is a casual, versatile, and, most importantly, warm Fall/Winter staple that will make getting dressed in the morning much easier. The classic bomber is made of shiny nylon in either military green, navy blue, or black, but modern colourways and tactile fabrics like wool are also trendy for 2024. Pair it with jeans and sneakers for a casual yet suave look or baggy slacks for a more polished and sophisticated vibe.

Alpha Industries is a historical brand for bombers that has since become iconic; Stüssy, Études Studio, and Ami are other brands to look out for.

This British menswear icon was born out of naval necessity in the 15th century, while the modern version we all know and love today was perfected in the 1930s. Synonymous with both the great countryside outdoors and adventurous motorcycle culture, the waxed jacket is a transitional weather staple through and through.

Whether you go for the classic four-pocket waxed cotton field jackets or the more modern—albeit slightly less utilitarian—cropped blousons and minimalist pieces, the waxed jacket’s rugged exterior and paraffin coating do a fantastic job shedding water and keeping you warm and dry during the unpredictable fall weather.

Brands like Barbour and Belstaff are synonymous with waxed jackets, and offer classic and timeless takes on the style, perfect for retro aesthetics as well as proper outdoorsy, country life. Waxed blouson styles, on the other hand, are perfect when paired with casual and modern pieces like denim and hoodies.

Fleece has never been cool—until today. A few years ago, you wouldn’t have been caught dead wearing fleece, just like you had sworn off dad sneakers, massive denim shorts, and socks with sandals. Once only seen on hikers, bird watchers, and teachers on field trips, these days fleece can be found on streetwear fanatics as much as at the après-ski lodge. In 2024 ugly is the new chic and the pile fleece is now a a versatile must-have that will keep you cozy all autumn long.

The main perks of fleece, pioneered in the 80s by Patagonia, are its incredible warmth paired with its almost weightlessness. Basically, fleece replicates the warmth of wool—arguably nature’s best—without the downsides of the natural fibre: itchiness and almost unbearable heaviness when wet.

The revival of fleece can be attributed to the recent uptick in nostalgia for 90s fashion, as well as its versatility. Olie Arnold, Mr Porter style director, told FashionBeans: “Fleece jackets are perfectly suited to the current outerwear trend and are easily incorporated into a streetwear look alongside tapered cargo trousers and hiking boots. Alternatively, layer your fleece over a winter-weight shirt with your favourite pair of slim-fit jeans or chinos for a relaxed weekend look.”

Colour-blocking, oversized, minimal, or chunky, the pile fleece can do it all—even as a vest.

As well as being leather’s lowkey cousin, suede is known as a typically autumnal material. In 2024, though, suede is set to have its biggest year yet.

This newfound love for suede is another genderless trend that has been populating women’s and men’s runways alike. This fall, fashion is steering towards rich and luxurious textures and suede fits the bill. Suede is also perfect for transitional weather, both in spring and autumn: it can be paired with wool knits now that the temperatures are dropping, and with breezy shirts once warm weather comes back around.

A suede jacket is very much an investment piece that will live in your capsule wardrobe forever, so expect to splurge on it. The most important thing is to make sure you pick the right design: bombers, jackets, shackets, and blousons are all valid and stylish options.

Suede’s high-maintenance reputation might seem intimidating, but looking after it is easier than it looks. Your new jacket might already been treated with a waterproof coating, but if it hasn’t do it yourself before the first wear. If you get wet, let it dry and then use a soft sponge to carefully remove any water stains. To keep your jacket in shape, hang it up and keep it away of direct sunlight. Use a suede eraser and brush for tiny scuffs and markings, but take it to a specialised dry cleaner for larger stains.

Original text: Kayla Kuefler
Updated text and content: Emma Trimboli