The Best Fall Essentials for Less Than $100

Hands down, fall is the best season of the year. Sure, summer and spring are “fun in the sun,” and winter brings its own snowy, mystical flair. But with fall, you’ve got bright, leafy colors lining the trees, festive holidays, and fun outdoor activities that never get old (i.e. apple picking). Best of all, fall is low-key the perfect opportunity to flex your style game, and there really is no better time to dress comfortably in layers without looking like the Michelin Man. That incoming chill, which is ever-present now that November is here, allows you to diversify the colors, patterns, materials, and fits in your rotation.

To ensure that you’re fully prepped and primed for the rest of the season, we’ve assembled a list of must-cop fall essentials that won’t break the bank—a major key before the notoriously expensive winter holiday season. From hoodies and jackets, to accessories and hats, these inexpensive items will keep your style on swole and your wallet lean and mean.

Here, we present our list of 12 Fall Essentials that cost less than $100 each.

Scarves are underappreciated. Plain and simple. The sheer purpose of a scarf—to keep the jugular warm—becomes crucial in the winter. In the fall, it serves a similar function, but the cool (not yet frigid) climate provides the chance to don something colorful and imaginative. Keep it classic and monotone, or as we prefer, go the fun and flamboyant route of Gosha Rubchinskiy’s Mix Check Football Scarf to make a loud yet stylish statement.

Buy it now at Union.

Fun fact: The Swatch Group is the largest watchmaker in the world. That really shouldn't come as a surprise since they've been leaders in the casual watch industry since 1983. Our personal favorite for fall is the stylish and affordable Swatch Black Rebel. The sleek, black monochromatic design has a comfortable silicone band that makes it feels as though you aren't wearing much of anything at all. It’s a perfect accessory to the all-black-everything streetwear aficionado who is constantly on the go.

Buy it now at Swatch.

Layers, dude. The key to brisk weather is layers. People sometimes forsake extra clothing because they’re dreaming of summer days, or the fits feel too clunky. Enter the A.P.C. Long Sleeve Pocket Tee. With a clean silhouette and breathable cotton, the shirt was born ready for the limelight, but can also serve as a base layer undershirt on particularly cold days. Its versatility means the tee is ready for any kind of fall weather, so it’s a great piece to have in your rotation.

Buy it now at End.

Rain is a top fashion foe. Rain does not care what you think of it. So the question becomes, how do you stay looking fresh without getting soaked? The RAINS Classic Jacket can help with that. Its lightweight, water-repellent polyurethane and polyester mix and welded seams protect you from the elements. Plus, the wide range of color options allows you to select the fit that best complements your style. Our personal favorite is the “Moon” colorway above. Whatever you choose, conquer the rain with this casual silhouette.

Buy it now at RAINS.

Sweatpants have broken down the barriers of the sartorial divide, and are no longer considered the lazy man’s fits. They are a must-have in the fall, as they provide warmth and comfort, from the gym to a night out. Reputable brands like Stussy produce spiffy sweatpants that can be worn for nearly any occasion, and their cotton fleece sweats are no exception. No frills, just a dope look. So embrace the continued elevation of the sweatpant this fall until they become a boardroom staple.

Buy it now at Stussy.

Are knitted hats now equal parts form and function? Not in all cases, but in this day and age, you definitely don’t have to sacrifice one for the other. Especially when said knitted hat is a double-layered, multi-color thermal piece like Noah’s Waffle Beanie. It’s heavy duty for warmth, ribbed to prevent stretching, and comes in an assortment of fashionably relevant colors. Oh, and it’s made by one of the hottest brand’s on the planet.

Buy it now at Noah.

Fall is definitely Layering Season™, but unfortunately, it’s also synonymous with footwear wreckage. Luckily, Jason Markk is aware of the common casualties and is all about stymieing the stigma with its high-powered Repel Spray. The liquid and stain repellant solvent helps keep remnants from the elements off of your precious kicks. So traverse city streets and don’t get too tight if someone steps on your sneakers. Jason Markk will make sure they’re fine.

Buy it now at Jason Markk.

With classic chinos, sometimes you have to choose between formal and casual. But why should you need to compromise? COS Cotton Twill Chinos can easily be dressed up or down, as the fit is universal thanks to the back patch pockets and taper toward the ankle. The cotton twill fabric will keep you warm, but it also won’t cook your legs like wool on seasonally balmy days. Versatility is king when it comes to trousers, and COS may have the crown.

Buy it now at COS.

It’s no secret that in fashion, details are crucial. A dropped shoulder here, a curved hem there… It’s those types of features that separate a good fit from a great one, like John Elliott’s Classic Curve Tee. Elliott is a pioneer in the “new basics” movement that’s taken shape in the last few years, prompting many others to follow suit. Only Elliot does it better with his keen eye for those intricate details. You could construct an entire fall wardrobe based on John Elliott’s collection, but if you’re just looking to give his garb a try, the Classic Curve Tee is a good place to start.

Buy it now at John Elliott.

In this wild and crazy world, it seems as though people are broken down into two distinct groups: sock lovers and sock haters. The haters need not apply, but the lovers? Well, N/A NYC’s Forty Eight Socks should excite you. Built for comfort and support, the ribbed calf sock has mesh-knitting for breathability, a reinforced heel and toe, and a terry knit bottom. This pair's nod to Future with playful “Past” and “Future” stitching on the front and back has our co-sign.

Buy it now at N/A.

Like Drake, Noah knows how to make certified hits. That’s why even something as simple as its Melange Wool Hat grabs the brand’s second spot on this list. It just looks so clean. Ball caps become scarce in the fall as people start reaching for knitted hats, but this 100% wool cap is definitely capable of making it through the season and clear into winter. Real talk, you’ll want to wear it year-round because, I mean, c’mon. It’s Noah!

Buy it now at Noah.