Style Tips Real Guys Can Learn From New York Fashion Week

From the catwalk to the sidewalk, here's how to step up your game based on what we've seen this week.

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denim

Denim Jackets As A Layer

Where We Saw It: J. Crew

Your jean jacket is more versatile than you think. Throw it on under a blazer as a shirt jacket, or under a heavier coat for extra insulation.

Image: WWD

topbutton

Buttoning The Top Button

Where We Saw It: Levi's

Screw a tie. Button the top button of your shirt for instant cool guy cred. Leave your shirt untucked to keep things casual, like this look from Levi's.

Image: WWD

winther

White Pants In The Winter

Where We Saw It: On The Street

Forget the old labor day rule and freshen up a look with a pair of white pants. This guy is really killing it with the camo slip-ons and camel coat to add the perfect contrast.

corduroy

Corduroy Sportcoats

Where We Saw It: Band of Outsiders

Channel Wes Anderson and that one college professor that always managed to bang the hottest students in a smart, well-cut corduroy sportcoat. For just enough prep in your look, pair it with a wool crewneck sweater and oxford buttondown shirt. Keep it casual with a pair of slim jeans and your favorite beat-up kicks.

Image: WWD

twotone

Two-Toned Outerwear

Where We Saw It: Robert Geller

One color is boring. Step up your winter coat with two tones. We've seen a lot of topcoats and parkas that utilize a dual tone. While the parka is more casual, you can't beat the warmth of a wool topcoat, and it'll also go well with a suit jacket as it does with a hoodie.

Image: WWD

parkas

Parkas Over Everything

Where We Saw It: J. Crew

Throw a parka on over anything. It's not like North Face snorkel jackets ever went out of style, but put them outside of the context of jeans and Jordans to turn any outfit into something worthy of being in a '90s rap video.

Image: WWD

scarves

Blackwatch Scarves

Where We Saw It: On The Street

It seems like every other editor and blogger rocked blackwatch plaid this season. Yeah it was big on blazers, but most guys don't want to drop that kind of moolah on something like that—it won't get a lot of wear. Stick with a blackwatch scarf. It goes with pretty much anything and gives you instant style cred.

leathersleeves

Leather Sleeves

Where We Saw It: Public School

The varsity jacket's trademark leather sleeves have gone all over the place, from reinterpreted denim jackets like this one from Public School to alligator leather on gray topcoats like the one we saw at Simon Spurr. They're a good way to set yourself apart and insert a little rebellious attitude into classic pieces.

Image: WWD

brownmoto

sweatpants

The New Sweatpants

Where We Saw It: Shades of Grey By Micah Cohen

These aren't the Big C sweats your familiar with. The silhouette's been changed, the fit's improved, and the hems are ribbed — for your stylish pleasure. Thankfully, the rise on the coolest sweatpants we've seen for next season are regular and not drop crotch. Rock 'em on the weekend with a cool bomber like this dude. You can wear them with your Jordans or Doc Martens. Take your pick.

Image: WWD

scarves

Graphic Scarves

Where We Saw It: Gant by Michael Bastian

Plaids, stripes, and solids are cool, but graphic scarves are where it's at. This particular one from the Gant by Michael Bastian collection is a cheeky take on the piano key necktie. Michael Bastian's mainline includes one that's depicting a weiner dog stretched out through the length of the scarf. Just have fun with it.

Image: WWD

graphicsweater

Graphic Sweaters

Where We Saw It: Jeremy Scott

This "Bartman" sweater by Jeremy Scott is just plain dope. Think of these things like an awesome graphic tee for colder weather. Whether you cop one from a streetwear brand or designer label, just be sure it fits right. You also can't go wrong with a classic American flag sweater from Ralph Lauren.

Image: Style.com

colorblock

Color Blocking Done Right

Where We Saw It: Levi's

Okay let's get things straight: too many bright colors means you're trying too hard, but these orange pants are balanced out by the dark jacket and muted gingham shirt. Take note, as bold colored pants are a style risk that hasn't gone away yet.

Image: WWD

fleece

Fleece Outerwear, Minus The Fraternity

Where We Saw It: Gant by Michael Bastian

Your Patagonia Retro-X jacket gets a facelift this season from designers like Patrik Ervell and Michael Bastian's collection for Gant. The pile texture is all over the place it seems, and when done right, as in not worn with mesh shorts and pair of adidas Slides, channels more of a Japanese streetwear vibe than a "I never left college" look.

Image: WWD

sneakers

Tailored Pants and Sneakers

Where We Saw It: General Idea

This look has been getting a lot of love from the Complex Style team. A pair of slim-fitting wool pants or chinos and the right pair of Nike Free Runs or New Balances are pretty much a big middle finger to the fashion world. For all the talk of switching to proper shoes over sneakers, sometimes you just can't beat comfort...and as seen here, it's a look that actually works.

Image: WWD

hats

Caps From Premium Fabrics

Where We Saw It: Patrik Ervell

Caps made from materials like leather and suede will definitely up your game while giving you something familiar. Designers like Patrik Ervell and Native Son channeled Don C. with these sorts of caps, and brands like New Era and Supreme have been offering similar styles for a minute.

Image: WWD

camopants

Camo Pants

Where We Saw It: On The Street

Camo pants. Get yourself a pair. If you're not bold like this dude and mixing up three types of camo, wear them with a black parka or bomber jacket and boots, mid-top, or hi-top sneakers. Thank us later when you get shot for someone's street style blog.

Image: Monsieur James

bastianhitops

High Class Hi-Tops

Where We Saw It: Michael Bastian

Instant way to add some street cred to an otherwise preppy look? Switch out the boots for a pair of hi-top kicks. This look from Michael Bastian is otherwise really conservative: striped sweater, collared shirt, olive paratrooper pants, but the flashy kicks add a much-needed element of surprise. Of course, it helps if your sneakers are from Raf Simons, Alejandro Ingelmo, or Martin Margiela.

Image: WWD

tonal

Dressing Tonal

Where We Saw It: N. Hoolywood

Let's talk about going tonal. All-black everything is not your only option, although it's not necessarily a bad thing. Our editors loved the N. Hoolywood collection, especially for the way they layered navy blue. Notice how the colors of the coat and pants are similar but still noticeably different, and the shirt has dark blue stripes to contrast with the color of both the pants and the coat. That's how you do it right: paying attention to the little things like color so that the big picture looks awesome.

Image: WWD

tourjacket

Satin Tour Jackets

Where We Saw It: Public School

Ryan Gosling's character in Drive made it look badass, and before then these '70s outerwear staples were all over rock stars. Satin jackets aren't essential to a wardrobe, but they are a nice outerwear alternative to have, whether you opt for this one from Public School or decide to cop a vintage version, or a satin varsity-style jacket, you can easily get a headstart on this trend.

Image: WWD

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