For an autumn weekend, a man does best to choose a polo or knitted top, a chino or trouser in a warm earth tone and a cardigan or light jacket that you can wear open. That way you look relaxed, but polished enough for a brunch, a shopping round or a visit to friends. Simple pieces in colours that combine with each other make choosing easier. In this article you will find three complete outfits and a short guide to the combinations that give you the most in September and October.
What makes a weekend outfit polished?
The difference between casual and sloppy lies in three things: fit, colour and material. A polo that sits on the shoulders and is not too long, trousers that end neatly at the ankle and shoes that are well kept make more difference than the brand or the price. Also, do not choose too many colours. Two to three shades from the same family make sure everything goes together, even when you grab an outfit in a hurry.
In autumn a fourth point comes in: layers. The morning is fresh, the afternoon sometimes still mild. A polo with a cardigan or light jacket over it covers both moments.
Outfit 1: Saturday in town
A soft polo, a beige trouser and a cardigan that you wear open. This is the outfit for a morning at the market, a coffee and some shopping. The Julian in cool grey is made of 84.3% cotton, 10.9% silk and 4.8% linen. That combination gives the polo a calm, polished look without becoming formal. Combine it with a trouser in warm khaki, such as the Vincent in khaki, and you have a simple, autumnal whole. Vincent contains viscose, polyamide, polyester and elastane, so there is some stretch in it.
As an extra layer, a cardigan in beige fits. The Maximilian in beige is made of 100% wool, a material that naturally holds warmth, handy for the cooler mornings of October. Wear a coat over it when it rains.
Outfit 2: Sunday lunch with family
A touch smarter, without a shirt. Choose a polo in a deeper colour, such as the Montgomery in brown. This polo contains 49.5% modal, 43.8% polyester and 6.7% elastane. Modal is a soft fibre that wears comfortably during a long lunch. Combine it with the same khaki trouser or with a dark trouser, and add loafers. Brown and khaki are close together and create a warm, calm look.
Outfit 3: a walk with a stop at the cafe
For an afternoon outdoors you want relaxed clothes that can take a knock. The Atticus in navy is a polo made of 70% cotton, 25% polyester and 5% elastane. The elastane gives a little stretch when walking. Wear it with a chino and casual sneakers and bring a cardigan or jacket for when the sun goes down.
The combinations at a glance
| Moment | Top | Bottom | Layer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday in town | Julian, cool grey | Vincent, khaki | Maximilian, beige |
| Sunday lunch | Montgomery, brown | Vincent, khaki | Maximilian, beige |
| Walk and cafe | Atticus, navy | Chino in a neutral shade | Cardigan or jacket at hand |
Colours for the autumn weekend
Navy, brown, khaki, grey and cream are easy colours for an autumn wardrobe. If you want to add one colour, choose olive green or burgundy, preferably in a shirt or sweater rather than in a trouser.
- Navy and brown: a classic pair, especially with leather shoes.
- Grey and khaki: calm and a little lighter than navy.
- Cream and navy: polished and bright, even on a grey day.
What if it rains?
In September and October a weekend can easily turn wet. A coat that you can close, a pair of shoes that can handle a puddle and an umbrella in your bag are then enough. Choose clothes that are not sensitive to stains: dark shades and melange fabrics hide splashes better than cream and white. Suede needs extra care in the rain. If necessary, choose a shoe that copes better with wet weather. Let wet clothes dry according to the care advice and avoid direct heat if that is advised against.
A simple rule for autumn
The number of layers depends on temperature and material. That feels relaxed and prevents you from having to haul clothes around during the day. Choose layers that you can easily put on and take off when the weather changes.
A short checklist for your wardrobe
- Two polos or knitted tops in different colours that go with the same trouser.
- One trouser or chino in a warm, neutral shade.
- One cardigan or light jacket that you can wear both open and closed.
- One pair of shoes in which you can walk for an afternoon and still arrive looking polished.
With this base you can put together several weekend outfits.
Shoes and accessories
A weekend outfit calls for shoes you can wear all day. Loafers are a good choice with a polo and trouser. On a Sunday in town, choose casual sneakers in a neutral colour instead. Take a look at the range of loafers or the casual sneakers. A belt in the same colour family as the shoes keeps the combination calm.
What to look for when buying
A weekend wardrobe does not have to be large. Start with a polo in a neutral colour, a trouser and a jacket, and add one piece per season. That way you gradually build a set of clothes in which everything goes together. All polos are in the men's polos collection, the trousers in men's trousers.
Shop the look
Julian: polo, cool grey
Vincent: trouser, khaki
Maximilian: cardigan, beige
Montgomery: polo, brown
Atticus: polo, navy
Frequently asked questions
Can you wear a polo with a trouser at the weekend?
Yes. A polo with a trouser is a polished, relaxed combination that suits almost any weekend moment, from brunch to a visit.
Which colours go together in autumn?
Navy, brown, khaki, grey and cream combine well. Choose two or three shades from the same family for a calm result.
Which shoes do you wear with a weekend outfit?
Loafers or casual sneakers in a neutral colour. Make sure they are clean and well kept, because that stands out more than the brand.
