Online Shopping Picks: The Best Men’s Boots for Fall

Editor’s note: To start your seasonal shopping, check out these men’s style picks.

Fall boots? Yes, we're looking in that direction today. Karnes Alpine Hiker by Johnston & Murphy. Ivy Blazer by Grayers. Blue Oxford by JackThreads. Silver knit tie by Banana Republic. Mod Watch by Timex x Todd Snyder. Glasses by Frameri.

Fall boots? Yes, we’re looking in that direction today. Karnes Alpine Hiker by Johnston & Murphy. Ivy Blazer by Grayers. Blue Oxford by JackThreads. Silver knit tie by Banana Republic. Mod Watch by Timex x Todd Snyder. Glasses by Frameri.

There are few times of the year I love more than fall — if you’re a devout reader of this blog, you certainly know that. Now, is it too late in the fall season, per se? I think not. We’ve got time before Thanksgiving, certainly. And as far as the weather goes, it’s finally the perfect time to get that fall style wish list in order, and it’s about time to get a full rotation of stylish men’s boots rolling. Not that there’s anything wrong with a sharp pair of leather sneakers, but the crisp breezes of fall lend themselves to staples that get a lot of play on The Style Guide during this time of year — everything from selvedge denim to classic chambray shirts to boots (and boots … and more boots).  So if you aren’t yet satisfied with your boot collection, or you find yourself looking to add another pair (or two, or three), we’ve got your shopping picks below. Keep in mind, these aren’t necessarily full-on functional boots that you’re going to want to stomp through the snow with  — that comes later this season. They are, however, boots that are equal parts sharp and stylish, casual and a bit more crisp. None of those are bad things to look for when shopping around, ehh? See how to style your boots via Instagram or over on the good ole Twitter-sphere.

#1. Thursday Boots Black Wingtip Boots — $200

The latest introduction from a brand that consistently delivers.

The latest introduction from a brand that consistently delivers.

Yow-za. Right? From durable suede chukka boots  to concert-ready moc toe boots, the team at Thursday Boots keeps expanding its arsenal in stellar fashion. The brand’s latest release — which just dropped last … Thursday (wink, wink) drives the brand forward even further. It’s a heck of a sharp wingtip boot done in sleek black. Even your author — who normally favors brown leather wingtip boots and the like — would consider taking these for a spin. The beauty of a sleek black pair of boots is that they’ll still work with garment-dyed chinos or blue denim  … or heck, sand chinos … no matter the day of the week.
Frank & Oak
#2. Johnston & Murphy Karnes Captoe Boot — $198

A lug sole, brogue captoe detailing and a sharp tan calfskin upper -- all big bonuses.

A lug sole, brogue captoe detailing and a sharp tan calfskin upper — all big bonuses.

The folks at Johnston & Murphy are doing big things as of late, from opening a new menswear-only shop in NYC to continuing to release excellent footwear staples for the season. The Karnes Captoe Boot is among that standout set of durable, style-forward and affordably priced boots, with hand-stained calfskin leather and brogue captoe detailing. Plus the charcoal wool ankle collar is a neat touch that adds comfort and seasonally appropriate texture. Wear these with jeans and a wool blazer or your favorite V-neck sweater and a classic chambray shirt for versatile style.

#3. CAT Footwear Sutter Boot $210

A rich shade of burgundy in oiled full-grain leather -- an excellent fall boot.

A rich shade of burgundy in oiled full-grain leather — an excellent fall boot.

From checking out the brand’s boots at Governor’s Ball this past summer to checking out their current crop of fall footwear offerings, this #menswear writer has been mighty impressed at what he’s seen from CAT Footwear. The Sutter Boot continues that upward streak in handsome fashion, crafted from oiled full-grain leather and featuring a rich burgundy color. The rubber outsole and Goodyear welt add plenty of durability — these are just the right boots to pair with grey flannel trousers and a navy peacoat to head to the office this fall and winter, seriously.

#4. Chippewa Original 6-Inch Service Boot in Crazyhorse — $269.95

Dependable, durable and surprisingly versatile -- that would be the 6-Inch Service Boot, folks.

Dependable, durable and surprisingly versatile — that would be the 6-Inch Service Boot, folks.

Chippewa Original means nothing but business when it comes to rugged, durable boots — picking ’em up through Huckberry means you can throw in some dependable accessories, too. The Service Boot plays off real working man’s boots, with a Goodyear welt and leather laces for both durability and long-lasting style. Yes indeed, these guys are a classic pair of fall boots, one that wouldn’t look out of place with slim selvedge denim as you head to a weekend coffee date. And lest you worry they aren’t quite versatile enough, you can still team with slim charcoal trousers and an elbow-patch cardigan for a bit of old-school office style.

#5. Wolverine 1000 Mile Boots in Black — $360 (Available via East Dane)

All-black everything -- and still highly wearable.

All-black everything — and still highly wearable.

Perhaps it’s just me, but I certainly do love a pair of rich brown leather boots — for their versatility, their sharp looks, you name it. Now, that being said — the above boots aren’t brown. A shock, I know — but crisp black boots (particularly the Original 1000 Mile Boot) are both a nice change of pace and an essential in a guy’s footwear rotation. They’re going to offer a slick contrast to everything from blue selvedge denim to olive chinos, and they’re going to do so while providing long-lasting durability. Even if you find yourself reaching for black boots over brown, that’s an underrated option to have on-hand for everything from crisp fall weekends to busy fall days at the office (or the classroom, or on campus — you get the picture, yeah?).
Huckberry

So, in reviewing the above #menswear picks, you might have noticed something missing. Perhaps Chelsea boots are more your thing? Check out this fall style suggestion, for starters. Maybe you’re a guy who loves stylish chukka boots? Knock yourself out.  The right pair of fall boots should mix durable style with rich seasonal colors and the ability to pair with durable denim, flannel trousers, olive chinos — and that’s just the start, ehh? Buying quality — like those pricey-yet-durable Chippewa Original Service Boots — can definitely pay dividends, too. If you think I missed any picks on this list, let me know over on The Style Guide Facebook page — it was tough to get to just five, I tell you what!

Happy shopping, and check back on Friday for our weekly #menswear news recap,

-Beau

#OOTD: The Best Way to Wear A Henley This Fall

Editor’s note: You’ve surely seen this hashtag lots of different places, including on Instagram. But how does that carry over to real life? The #OOTD will take one great item and put together a versatile, stylish outfit around it. Look for past features here.

So it’s not exactly the middle of summer anymore, is it? That’s a strange sensation if you’ve been used to dressing for the heat or packing up stylish beach gear. But if  you’re anything like this #menswear writer, you relish the chance to dress for seasonal transitions and break out some of your favorite seasonal style staples. We’re talking pieces that are rugged and refined, ready for casual wear or able to be worn with a bit more tailored style in mind. And in the case of this week’s #OOTD, we’re looking at an outstanding piece for a seasonal transition — the ever-reliable slim long-sleeve henley.  With its athletic-minded origins and rugged good looks, a great henley certainly works in the summer as well as the in-between period between summer and fall. But particularly when it’s made with marled fabric and plenty of quality and comfort, it’s the ideal early (and middle, and late) fall style piece — think of the below #OOTD as a weekend workhorse look. To get your mind right when it comes to stylish henleys, check out last year’s picks for the best men’s henleys for fall — and know that we’ll have a similar feature coming on this site in the weeks ahead. Oh, and how exactly should you style this durable staple? We won’t drop any hints up here — scroll below to check out the #OOTD, join in on the men’s style conversation at The Sty le Guide’s Facebook page, and check out this guy’s Instagram for daily style tips.

Best men's henleys for fall

Just one way — but perhaps, the best way — to wear a henley this fall.

The Henley: Flint & Tinder Marled Long-Sleeve Henley, $62  — So, the henley shown here is a bit more expensive than you might be used to paying for a basic layering piece. But the quality, fit and styling potential is top-notch, and given the fact that it’s part of a slew of new additions to the Flint & Tinder product line, you should definitely pick up this slim henley.

The Coat: Old Navy Canvas Coat, $69.94 — It might initially be too hot to wear a canvas coat atop that henley, but know that when it gets slightly chilly and you need a crisp top layer, this rugged canvas coat is the perfect finishing touch.

The Chinos: JACHS NY Grey Bowie Fit Stretch Cotton Chino, $89 — Why go with chinos here as opposed to slim, dark denim? They lend the look a bit of high-low style appeal, and the fabric and slim fit are nice positives.

The Boots: CAT Footwear Russell Boot, $150 — Boots that blend different fabrics and textures (like wool and leather) with a sturdy ankle boot, moc toe combination are the perfect way to nod toward the chillier temperatures of fall — not to mention the rugged-refined vibe of this outfit.

The Socks: Flint & Tinder Inventor Socks, $17.98 (Three-pack) — If we’re going with a Flint & Tinder henley, might as well go with crisp, stylish and comfortable Flint & Tinder socks, ehh?

The Watch: Timex x Red Wing Waterbury Chrono, $158 — The Timex x Red Wing Heritage collaboration is a certified Style Guide favorite, and it’s the perfect mixture of toughness and style to offset the other fall-appropriate pieces in this #OOTD.

The Belt: Anderson’s Stretch Woven Leather Belt, $195 — If you want a belt that’s going to work as hard as you do, last forever (truly) and add some subtle texture to this overall look, the Anderson Stretch Woven Leather Belt is the way to go.

The Everyday Carry: United By Blue Lakeland Laptop Bag, $119.98 — Looking for a durable, dependable bag to haul around your laptop? This United By Blue laptop bag merges function and fashion, and it does so while promoting a good cause (the brand removes one pound of trash from oceans & waterways for every item sold).

Are you ready for some fall weather yet? Hopefully so. Dressing for the transitional period between the heat of summer and the chill of winter can seem taxing if you’ve grown used to wearing that short-sleeve chambray shirt for months on end, yet reaching for the right pieces can make it an enjoyable task. A marled henley is an essential for the colder months, and when mixed with dependable boots and refined chinos, it can work in even more style situations. On top of that, sharp socks that add a pop of color play nicely off dressy touches like that textured leather belt and rugged leather watch. And if it gets truly cold in the weeks ahead, you can always add a crisp shawl cardigan to this same ensemble. Have questions or more suggestions for the #OOTD series? Shoot me a note on Twitter.

Make room in your closet for a great henley — and stay stylish in the meantime!

-Beau