Category: Fashion Styling

The colder it gets, the more room there is to play with outfits. In autumn and winter, whether it’s inner layers or outerwear, there are countless categories to choose from — naturally opening up endless styling possibilities. Beyond the usual “base layer + jacket” formula, the colder seasons also allow for layering, which helps emphasize depth and create different dressing moods. Now that autumn and winter have arrived again, the final installment of this series is here as promised.

When it comes to style, I believe everyone has their own unique taste and aesthetic. The outfits I share might not suit your body shape or vibe; you might even feel completely indifferent to them — and that’s perfectly normal. But what I genuinely hope is that my sharing doesn’t become a “standard answer,” but rather a spark that inspires you. If I can offer you some ideas about color, coordination, or key pieces that help you better understand and shape your own style, that would be the most meaningful thing to me.

Principles of Fall/Winter Outfits

The most obvious difference between late-autumn/winter clothing and other seasons is thickness. Generally, people choose shirts, knitwear, and hoodies as inner layers, while outerwear includes heavy jackets, coats, padded jackets, and down jackets. The most common—and also the most basic—way to dress is “inner layer + outerwear + pants.” A slightly more challenging approach is layering multiple inner layers or multiple outer layers paired with one pair of pants, which is the layered-wearing method.

Basic Styling Methods

When it comes to the basic “inner layer + jacket + pants” outfit, there’s a popular saying on Xiaohongshu: “If the top is simple, the bottom shouldn’t be simple,” and sometimes the saying is reversed. The idea is that only one part of the outfit should be “not simple.” Personally, I’m skeptical about this rule. It’s not wrong—actually, it’s a perfectly safe styling consideration. But in reality, the opposite combinations—whether both top and bottom are simple or both are not—can also look great, as long as they’re well-coordinated. It’s just that having one simple piece makes things easier. Next, I’ll break down the everyday basic styling principles by level of difficulty.

Easiest: One Simple, Two Not-Simple

Fashion is subjective, so defining “simple” is tricky. Let’s assume solid-colored, pattern-free items are simple pieces, and everything else is not-simple.

• The easiest method:
  A solid-color simple inner layer + solid-color pants, paired with a not-simple jacket.
• One level up:
  A not-simple inner layer + solid-color pants, paired with a simple jacket.
• Two levels up:
  Not-simple pants paired with a simple inner layer and simple jacket.

In short, under this styling logic: if you don’t want to go wrong, choose a simple inner layer; if you want the best result within the “rules,” choose not-simple pants.

Moderately Difficult: All Simple

Learning outfits from Uniqlo’s lookbooks is a good idea, since the outfits are mostly solid-colored basics and look very easy to coordinate. But I think this varies from person to person. A fully simple outfit may seem effortless to style, but it also means the clothes offer almost no additional shaping or visual support to your body. It places higher demands on your body shape, looks, and even skin tone. Take me for example—I’ve encouraged myself countless times to buy a “minimalist” outfit from Uniqlo or MUJI, but I’m always discouraged before leaving the fitting room.

So my suggestion is: light-colored “all simple” outfits are often easier to pull off than dark-colored ones. If you want to try a full minimalist look, start with an all-light set and add one dark jacket.

Very Difficult: All Not-Simple

No doubt, an outfit where every single item is not-simple is the hardest combination of all. Unusual colors, bold patterns, and standout materials—all are challenging to pair. So here are two suggestions:

When you want to go in this direction, follow the style of an idol you like and try to recreate their outfits.

A more practical suggestion: prioritize bold patterns or cuts instead of bold colors.

Highly unconventional colors are demanding on both face shape and skin tone, while bold patterns or silhouettes are relatively easier to manage. In the worst case, you’ll just look like a stylish street kid—and honestly, that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

Layering
Layering is challenging because it really tests your ability to control a sense of depth in an outfit. Even something as simple as a shirt layered under a crewneck sweatshirt can create very different vibes depending on how much of the collar is exposed. The countries best at layering are probably the UK and Japan, so if you’re really into this style, you can check out magazines from those two places.

Japanese outfits often love layering pieces, and autumn and winter are exactly the seasons where layering shines the most. For everyday wear, it’s especially important to pay attention to how you manage the sense of depth. I recommend a basic layering rule: treat the collar area as the core element that highlights layering, combining wide collars, collarless pieces, and lapelled jackets. Once you’re comfortable with this style, you can experiment with more advanced techniques, including layering with differences in length or with contrasting colors.

But remember, don’t fully cover the layer underneath, or it’ll look abrupt and stiff. Whether it’s the color, material, or something else from the next layer, as long as something is visible, it works. Ultimately, no matter how you layer, the goal is to see different levels on your body—and material and color are the easiest ways to showcase that. In daily life, it’s all about trying things out. The more you experiment, the easier it becomes to discover your own layering style.

Materials Suitable for Autumn and Winter Clothing

Autumn and winter garments tend to be thicker, which makes the differences in material texture much more noticeable. In this part, I’ll focus on materials and recommend different types of clothing so you have more options when shopping.

Cashmere/Wool
Cashmere and wool are very familiar to most people and are among the most popular materials in autumn and winter, especially for sweaters and pants. Cashmere sweaters are lightweight, warm, elastic, and resistant to wrinkles. Other than being a bit troublesome to wash, they basically have no downsides. Unlike previous years, many fashion and casual brands are now offering more wool items, including shirts, sweaters, and trousers, which meet the needs of everyday casual dressing.

Wool casual trousers and dress pants are particularly worth mentioning. They’re durable, stretchy, and usually have very straight silhouettes that nicely flatter the legs. When properly cared for, they don’t deform easily, making them great winter staples. Many fashion influencers recommend pairing wool dress trousers with an overcoat, showing just how popular this category has become in recent years.

Additionally, cashmere and wool are extremely versatile in autumn and winter and pair well with almost anything. Using wool sweaters or cashmere trousers as part of your outfit helps elevate the overall texture and sense of style.

Corduroy
Corduroy is actually a composite fabric, usually woven from materials such as cotton, polyester, or wool. Its surface features dense, soft ridges with a certain thickness, making it particularly suitable for fall and winter. Compared to regular cotton fabrics, corduroy adds more visual texture, which works especially well for minimalist outfits.

Common corduroy pieces include shirts and pants. Shirts typically have a structured silhouette, making them suitable for wearing alone or layered over a knit sweater. Pants on the market seem to come most frequently in khaki tones and work well for a preppy style. Overall, corduroy—with its unique texture and aesthetic appeal—is both practical and stylish for fall and winter looks. Whether you prefer a casual vibe or a retro mood, corduroy performs exceptionally well and can easily create warm yet distinctive seasonal outfits when styled thoughtfully.

Leather
Leather garments are a key part of fall and winter wardrobes thanks to their warmth, durability, and unmistakable texture. The leather used in jackets and pants that most people purchase tends to fall into three categories: cowhide, sheepskin, and synthetic leather. Each type differs in characteristics and price. From the perspective of individual pieces, the easiest to style is the leather jacket (including blousons and outerwear), followed by leather boots, and lastly leather pants, which are usually the hardest to pull off.

Leather jackets commonly use cowhide or sheepskin. Both are highly durable and elastic, making them great for outerwear. Cowhide tends to be thicker and tougher, offering excellent longevity and the ability to “break in” over time. It has great wind resistance and a structured appearance, and while its price is high, the cost performance is also excellent. Sheepskin, on the other hand, is typically softer and more delicate, making it suitable for jackets with a more body-hugging silhouette. It has become increasingly popular in fashion design in recent years—especially among many Japanese streetwear brands, where sheepskin is being used noticeably more frequently than before.

Synthetic leather differs from the two natural types. It’s usually made from plastics such as PVC (polyvinyl chloride) or PU (polyurethane), sometimes combined with other materials. It offers better waterproof performance and allows much easier color and texture control, enabling a wide range of styles and visual effects. Unlike natural leather, which tends to come in a limited color palette, synthetic leather can be produced in a rich variety of hues and patterns to meet different styling needs.

Duck Down / Goose Down
Duck down and goose down are common insulating materials for fall and winter. Both offer excellent warmth, but they differ in several details—the most obvious one being price. Goose down is warmer than duck down, so it’s naturally more expensive. For example, goose-down jackets from Li-Ning often cost upward of 3,000 RMB per piece; even during discount seasons, they usually remain around 2,000 RMB. The second major difference is loftiness. Goose down clusters are typically larger and fluffier, giving goose down better insulation at the same weight. For instance, in a Beijing winter, a duck-down jacket usually needs more than 300g of filling to feel very warm, whereas goose down can achieve similar warmth with around 250g.

If you’ve ever shopped for down jackets on Taobao or in livestreams, you’ve probably heard sellers emphasize the “New National Standard.” In short, the new standard requires that at least 80% of the filling in down products must be actual down (excluding feathers). High-quality down jackets can reach 90%. Just pay attention to this percentage when you shop.

Fleece
Fleece is actually a synthetic fiber fabric—essentially polyester. The polyester fibers are woven into a dense, fuzzy structure and then brushed to create a soft, wool-like surface, which gives fleece its name and characteristic texture. The brushed fibers trap air effectively, providing excellent insulation. Its warmth is close to wool, yet it’s much lighter than many natural fibers.

In the past couple of years, many outdoor brands have shown a strong preference for fleece items. They’re easy to maintain, durable, and look good. Other than not being windproof, fleece doesn’t have many drawbacks. Choosing a fleece jacket in fall and winter can significantly enhance the visual warmth and cozy outdoor feel of your outfits. If you want to create a warm, relaxed, and slightly lazy vibe, fleece is a must.

When the economy is booming, people tend to pursue trendy, eye-catching designs. When the economy declines, they quickly shift toward durability and practicality. In reality, material and style complement each other—certain designs simply require specific materials to convey their intended texture and visual effect. Instead of treating them as mutually exclusive, it’s better to consider both. Fall and winter garments are generally thicker, so when choosing materials, it’s important to factor in how the design affects comfort and visual coherence. Only then can you achieve outfits that feel both effortless and stylish.

Outfit Combinations: Start with One Item You Already Own

When writing the Double 11 menswear guide, a reader mentioned that they hoped I could recommend outfits based on specific scenarios, considering styles, fabrics, and more. I thought it was a great idea. But after thinking it over again, I realized that scenarios are too complicated — and if you add aesthetic styles on top of them, things become even harder to explain. So although I genuinely appreciate the suggestion, I decided to use a simpler and more direct approach: starting with any item you already have on hand.

In the summer edition, I mentioned that when putting together an outfit, we can begin with the category in which we own the fewest items and build the rest of the outfit around it. In the fall and winter, the items we usually own the least of are heavy jackets, overcoats, padded jackets, and down jackets. However, compared with other categories, these pieces are much easier to match — starting with them is almost the same as not needing to match anything at all. Given that, it makes more sense to start with shirts and pants. I’ll consider both material and style to give you a more practical reference.

To improve the clarity of the imagery, the outfit combinations in this section use Gemini-generated background replacements applied to real clothing items. However, because I may not have suitable photos for every single piece, some examples may be demonstrated without real images — thank you for understanding.

Shirts

Shirts are extremely common all-season items. As inner layers — whether worn alone or for layering — they pair well with a wide variety of outerwear and fit many different styles. I categorized several types of shirts you might have in your wardrobe and will offer some pairing suggestions you can use as reference.

Basic styles: solid / striped / plaid shirts

The most basic and commonly owned shirts are solid-colored, striped, or plaid. Their materials are usually cotton blended with polyester or other synthetic fibers.

Solid Color Shirts

For solid shirts, I recommend choosing earthy or warm neutrals, such as off-white, cream, or light khaki. These colors are generally less picky about skin tone. For me personally, pure black or deep-colored shirts tend to make my skin tone look duller, so I don’t prefer them. With solid shirts, the cut becomes even more important — I recommend shirts with a more structured, oversized silhouette for better shape and presence.

For light-colored solid shirts, I especially recommend pairing them with dress pants or jeans. Dress pants in a matching color family work especially well; if you want to enhance the sophistication of the outfit, consider upgrading to wool trousers — they not only elevate the texture but also provide warmth. When pairing with jeans, try to avoid shades that are too light. Washed blue, classic denim blue, and vintage dark blue-black washes are all good choices. In terms of fit, avoid skinny or slim cuts; go for wide-leg or curved-cut (“弯刀”) silhouettes. Also try to avoid designs with too many pockets — anything with strong streetwear motifs — as they tend to clash with the clean style of a shirt.

The outerwear that pairs most naturally with shirts are sturdy work jackets or overcoats. Work jackets are extremely effortless to style; dark colors are the most versatile, and you can choose designs with contrasting leather collars to create texture contrast. For overcoats, camel and black are usually the easiest to match with shirts.

Striped Shirts

Striped shirts are a bit of an unfamiliar territory for me. Personally, my ability to pull off stripes is quite low, and I don’t have many good-looking striped pieces in my wardrobe. So for striped shirts, I only have one suggestion: preppy style. A simple vintage striped shirt paired with a cardigan and a classic pair of jeans or dress pants is already enough.

Plaid Shirts

Wearing plaid shirts as outerwear can sometimes make you look a bit older, but as an inner layer for autumn and winter, they’re definitely versatile and reliable. First, I recommend choosing warm-toned large-check patterns, which highlight a relaxed vibe more effectively. Second, it’s best not to pair them directly with only an outer jacket—instead, layer a cardigan of a similar warm tone over them. This enhances warmth and also works great as a standalone outfit for going out. Finally, if you want to achieve a softer, cozier look, pair them with a short coat and light-colored dress pants. If you prefer something slightly more street-casual, pair them with a long coat and jeans. Holding a coffee cup in hand will instantly boost the overall vibe.

Advanced Option A: Knit Shirts

Compared with spring and summer, autumn–winter outfits place greater emphasis on texture because clothing tends to be thicker, and choosing the right material significantly enhances the quality of each piece. Naturally, items with better texture require more thoughtful styling too.

A few years ago, I bought a cotton knit shirt and found it incredibly useful as a fall–winter item. This type of shirt feels and looks very similar to a sweater, fitting perfectly with the texture-driven vibe of the cold seasons. Yet since it’s cotton, it can be machine-washed and ironed, making maintenance much easier. It can absolutely serve as an advanced shirt option for autumn and winter.

I think knit shirts are also great for layering. If worn as an outer layer, you can add a turtleneck underneath. If worn as an inner layer, add a fuzzy cardigan on top. For bottoms, simply choose suitable dress pants or jeans depending on the occasion. For outerwear, both coats and down jackets will work fine, as long as they’re not overly sporty.

Advanced Option B: Denim Shirts

Wearing a denim shirt on its own is easy, but making it look stylish is a bit tricky. Based on my experience, if you want a tougher, more rugged vibe, it’s best to pair denim shirts—regardless of their color—with dark denim jeans to avoid a top-heavy look. If you prefer a softer style, pair them with warm-toned casual pants. As for outerwear, whether you’re going for rugged or gentle, leather jackets are always a great match. On top of that, you can finish the outfit with a pair of versatile German-trainer sneakers or classic yellow boots.

Sweaters

In autumn and winter, sweaters are naturally essential wardrobe staples. When it’s not too cold, you can wear a warm inner layer and use the sweater as an outer piece. When temperatures drop, pairing a sweater with a coat or down jacket gives you both warmth and style. So, sweaters are basically pieces that work well both dressed up and dressed down.

Basic Style: Solid-Color Sweaters

The easiest and most universally flattering option is the solid-color sweater (even small patterns are fine—if the overall look is one uniform color, you can treat it as solid for styling purposes). Solid-color sweaters pair well with virtually any type of pants, whether exaggerated or simple, and they also work with either coats or down jackets.

With that in mind, I’ll recommend two combinations I’ve been loving this year. One is a solid-color sweater + warm-toned casual pants + coat. The other is a solid-color sweater + dark denim jeans + down jacket. The first is great for sunny days out, and you can add a scarf when it gets chilly. The second works perfectly for commuting, school, or casual outings—it’s a look you can comfortably wear from Monday through Saturday.

Advanced Option A: Turtlenecks

I’m sure everyone has bought a turtleneck before, but why is it considered an “advanced option”?
Because it’s picky—picky about the wearer and picky about what you pair it with. If you’re not careful, it can make your neck look shorter and your skin less bright. I personally can’t always pull off a turtleneck well either, and I’ve found that a good solution is to layer a loose-fitting knit over it—whether it’s a pullover or a cardigan. Adding an outer layer to a turtleneck creates more visual depth, and when you’re indoors without a jacket, you won’t look awkward or too bare. On top of that, pair it with casual dress pants and a coat, and you’ve got yourself a solid outfit for both commuting and going out.

Advanced Option B: Cardigans

I’ve already mentioned cardigans in both the knit-over-turtleneck combo and the shirt-plus-knit combo, so you probably already know how to wear them. In my opinion, cardigans are one of the most atmospheric pieces for fall and winter. Pair them with sweaters or shirts to create a warm, cozy, or collegiate vibe. One more reminder: it’s best to choose light-colored, loose-fitting cardigans. Dark ones can easily make you look older if not styled well, and fitted ones lean too heavily toward businesswear.

Sweatshirts

For many guys, sweatshirts are probably something they wear for three out of four seasons. They come in tons of styles, they’re easy to pair, and having a few in the closet covers most situations. However, there’s one issue people often overlook: sweatshirts can make you look messy if worn poorly. When using sweatshirts in your outfits, keep these two points in mind:

• Dark, plain crewneck sweatshirts can make you look 20 years older—I personally avoid them in everyday outfits
• Crewnecks are easy to buy and come in many styles, but in terms of fit, “wide rather than long” is key. If it’s a longer cut, consider pairing it with a short jacket.

Basic Option: Solid-color Sweatshirts

Once you have a basic solid-color sweatshirt, pairing becomes effortless.
If it’s a colored sweatshirt, I recommend styling it with an outerwear piece in the same color family but in a different shade, plus pants with some contrast.
If it’s white or beige, almost any outerwear and pants will work.
For hoodies, you can pair them with a coat in a matching color. And some of the sporty, yoga-style solid sweatshirts also work great with outdoor jackets.

Advanced Option A: Bright Hoodies

In spring and fall, sweatshirts are often worn on their own, so most people have at least one or two bright or boldly patterned hoodies. For these more eye-catching hoodies, I recommend pairing them with a varsity jacket. Casual varsity jackets usually feature ribbed cuffs and contrasting color details—they’re already visually striking, and pairing them with an equally lively hoodie screams youthful energy. Personally, I think it’s totally fine to choose a boldly designed varsity jacket as your signature piece—when you want to look energetic and vibrant, it’ll make you stand out instantly.

Advanced Option B: Textured/Waffle-knit Sweatshirts

Ever since waffle-knit fabrics suddenly became popular, the market has been flooded with waffle sweatshirts and similar textured pieces. These usually come in warm tones—white, beige, and earthy shades. Compared with the plain crewneck sweatshirts most people wear, waffle sweatshirts naturally have a “lazy, relaxed” vibe. The only thing to watch out for is avoiding overly patterned pants or jackets—keep the whole outfit clean and simple. In late fall, you can wear a waffle sweatshirt with light-colored denim and a denim jacket. In winter, just swap the denim jacket for a long coat or a puffer jacket, and you’re good to go.

Pants

I’m someone who absolutely loves buying pants—I always feel like I have nothing to wear and need to restock, to the point where my wardrobe is nearly full. Because pants take up half of the visual space in an outfit, they’re also a perfectly legitimate place to start when putting together a look. If you ever feel stuck choosing a top, you can simply begin with a pair of pants instead.

Basic Style A: Regular Jeans

Straight-leg, solid-color denim—regular jeans—can pair well with almost anything. When you’re rushing to work, throw on a light-colored sweater or sweatshirt and add a jacket that contrasts with the pants. On weekends, when you want to look more put-together, try pairing them with a long shirt or cardigan to create differences in color and layering, then add any outerwear on top. Regular jeans rarely go wrong. The only thing you should avoid is dressing head-to-toe in a single denim color (unless you have idol-level looks). Some degree of contrast is always better.

Basic Style B: Regular Casual Pants

A lot of people don’t like wearing jeans and find them uncomfortable, so casual pants often become their go-to. Most casual pants have a straight, slightly loose silhouette and are easy to style. In autumn and winter, I highly recommend choosing corduroy or wide-wale trousers. On that foundation, pair them with a sporty sweatshirt and finish with a shell jacket. Another practical option is to match athletic-style sweatshirts with low-saturation outerwear or down jackets—this combination also works really well.

Advanced Style A: Wool Trousers

I’ve mentioned wool trousers several times already, so I won’t repeat too much here. Simply choose a knit sweater or knit shirt, pair it with wool trousers and a coat, and you’re set.

Advanced Style B: Leather Pants

When people think of leather pants, they tend to picture rock musicians or motorcyclists—tight leather pants are common in those circles. But for everyday wear, looser fits work much better. Leather pants usually come in black or dark tones, so a loose, light-colored sweater works perfectly on top. From there, I recommend adding a shiny black down jacket as the finishing touch. With that, you’ll have a winter “cool guy” outfit ready to debut.

Chart Summary

Epilogue: Dressing Warm Can Still Look Great

I often hear people say that in autumn and winter, you end up throwing on a big black puffer jacket anyway, so every outfit looks the same. But I don’t think dressing warm necessarily means looking bad. Not to mention that many puffer jackets and coats nowadays manage to be both lightweight and warm, and high-quality inner layers can also help keep you warm, so you don’t have to rely on overly bulky outerwear.

Autumn and winter come with plenty of wardrobe options, making them the perfect seasons for experimenting with outfits. It might feel troublesome at first, but once you grasp some basic techniques and start trying more combinations, I believe you’ll quickly find the styles and pairings that work for you. Dressing well is all about trying—once you try enough, it becomes second nature.

I hope that this winter, your outfits bring you a bit more joy, help you shake off the boredom of the cold season, and give you the good mood you need to face what is rumored to be a very chilly winter ahead.