People may call spring a season of change, but fall is also a time when everything quickly shifts and becomes drastically different in a short span of time. It sometimes seems like just hours after Labor Day, everything from the weather to everyone’s moods changes noticeably, and you need to make sure you’re adapting to your autumn self and not simply holding onto your summer self all year-round...even though that’s what you might want to do.

If you’re looking for some suggestions about how to be fall-ready, look no further…

Change The Messages You’re Putting Out There

Remember, who you are in the fall isn’t who you are in the summer, in part because you’re probably not devoting quite as much time to hedonism and partying as you were during the warmer months. Summer is all about day drinking by a pool in Fire Island wearing next to nothing (if anything at all) and staying out far too late with friends, while the next season is more about getting back to work, focusing on your goals, and preparing to spend time with family...oh, and finding yourself someone to cuddle with throughout the colder months, if that’s something you’re interested in.

So, with those ambitions in mind, it’s time to start sending different messages to the world, and there’s no better place to start than with your wardrobe. You don’t have to go crazy, but those who see you across the bar or at a friend’s party should quickly understand who you are and what you want. Don’t make them work too hard to know!

Daftboy's Chill t-shirt is everything you need to immediately deliver the notice that you are ready to settle down and spend some evenings doing nothing by Netflix and chilling with the right man. That’s what cold nights were meant for, right? This is probably in stark contrast to the less subtle Harness and Pup threads you were wearing just a few months ago...but he can see those come spring, if he’s still around.

It’s Finally Time For Second Layers

Shorts and flip flops are certainly fun to wear, but if you’re anything like me, you’re a sweater and jacket type of guy, and thus fall and winter are really made for you. Any kind of second layer in the summer can be brutal on most days, so it can be tough to pull an awesome outfit together. That task becomes much easier come September, and the options are limitless.

Between sweaters of all kinds (if you haven’t worn a cardigan in a while, may I suggest you make 2018 the year you do so?) and my favorite, the blazer, there’s so much more you can reasonably play with in the cooler time of the year, and you should take full advantage of that. In fact, a sweater or jacket changes some of your summer faves into autumn highlights, so you don’t need to go out and get an entire collection.

Accessorize!

Just as is the case with sweaters and jackets, summer doesn’t really lend itself to accessories. Sure, jewelry always goes, and sunglasses can make anybody look like a rockstar, but beyond that, what else is there to add a little extra flair to a boy’s look in June?

Fall and winter don’t have that issue, and accessories take on new meaning during this time of year. They aren’t just for show, they actually serve some function this time around! Scarves are a must, and you can’t go wrong with them. Gloves will come into play later on in the year, and you can play around with more traditional, warmer ones or those made of leather that are extremely stylish.

You might not have thought about it, but hats can also work with many of your best cooler-climate outfits as well. When the snow is coming down, you may want to opt for knitwear, but don’t be afraid to stick with a more traditional, always-sexy ball cap. They will still keep the snowflakes off your head, and while they’re not quite as toasty, sometimes you need to suffer just a little bit for fashion.

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