Small Bite 008: Everything I've Worn Too Much This Fall
My default uniform when nothing else felt right.
Welcome to Small Bites. What I’m not entirely sure what Small Bites will entail, it will begin as a place to ruminate on something that may not be fully-fledged out and/or something that doesn’t command a full 1,000 words dedicated to it. A place to inspire some conversation in the comments. Will it remain that? Perhaps. Could the name change at any given moment? Again, that’s a possibility.
I used to look forward to fall, but now I really look forward to fall. When I first moved to Austin in 2015, I began writing a tongue-in-cheek column called “My Fall Aesthetic” where I’d attempt to annoy readers with overthought style selections that I’d mimic throughout the colder months. These days, however, fall didn’t hit Austin until mid-November which meant my internal clock was all over the map.
Now that I’ve had enough time to determine what my staple items have been, I thought I’d compile a list that I could look at next year during the first crisp morning.
Here’s everything I’ve worn way too much during these colder months.
Every Other Thursday Cashmere Knit Crewneck
This has become my go-to sweater for lounging around the house, going to dinners, traveling, and the list goes on. Years ago, my wife bought me a sweater from Frame that became irreplaceable at the time. Unfortunately, I had one-too-many spritzes on vacation and left it behind at a restaurant only reachable by boat near Positano. Now, however, my affinity for this sweater has outweighed my memory of the one last at sea.
FrizmWORKS Royal Hunting Jacket
A new item in the rotation that’s proven to be an immediate favorite. While barn coats are more popular than ever this year, I simply wanted something lighter that was more wearable every day than my waxed Filson jacket that can become too heavy in many situations. This is a bit cropped so it gives biker jacket, but it’s also extremely flattering at the same time. With tons of pockets. Tons.
Abercrombie 90s Straight Jean
While I can’t speak to the quality of these jeans from a menswear perspective, I can say that I’ve worn these more than I ever dreamt I would. Growing up and even into my mid-30s, I never really wore jeans all that often. I’ve had a huge hesitation to buy expensive denim (for fear I won’t wear) but I’ve also just always skewed toward chinos. These have completely surprised me in their cut, comfortability, and wearability.
Gumtree Golf & Nature Club Socks
Socks used to be a throwaway item for me until I actually upgraded my fall sock rotation last year. When Gumtree did a recent fall release, I decided to add these into the rotation solely for golf purposes. What I’ve found is that they’re thick but comfortable (and wearable literally anywhere). The script is low-key enough that it doesn’t immediately turn you into Fun Sock Guy, but it’s crisp and cool enough that it’s not just a pair of ratty Stances.
Kuiu Elements Vest
An item that I’ve worn endlessly during the colder months over the last couple years. While I did completely swagger-jack my friend when he purchased it, I’m still glad I did it. Has the grease and product from my longer hair stained the collar a bit? Sure. Did I also embroider an orange Grateful Dead bear on the right chest? Also yes. But it’s a vest that’s not too thick, not too expensive, and extremely versatile when it comes to temperature.
Vampire Weekend Tour Tee
We went to the final Vampire Weekend show from their recent tour and I felt compelled to buy something from it. While the photo above does the actual t-shirt very little justice, it’s printed on a Comfort Colors blank that’s much more pigment-dyed-feeling than the computer-generated image you see here. The graphics are huge on the front and back — but as someone who tries to keep most logos to a minimum, sometimes it gives me the edge I need. And yes, I realize liking Vampire Weekend is the opposite of edgy.
Blundstone Chelsea Boots
You always find out what’s really important when you are packing to leave town. And when faced with the decision of bringing these boots to snowy Michigan versus some others in my arsenal, it was a no-brainer. While they’re a bit thin for everyday winter boots, they really shine when you need to step out on a cold day for a few Guinness. Or, you know, a hike.
Editor’s Note: This is not a paid post from any of the above companies and I don’t stand to benefit from any sales made through this post. That’s how you know it’s real.