Via The Sartorialist.

From the comments, it seems the gentleman works at Ralph Lauren. He’s got that look down. The trick is in the fit and the very dressy dark denim. Casual doesn’t have to mean un-tailored.

Lately, I’ve been feeling very casual; as you can tell from the picture above. I suppose it’s the in-between weather. My heavier suits are a joy to wear when the temperatures are in the 50ºF and below range. But these days that start out around 40ºF and end up flirting with 70ºF can be confounding to your daily wardrobe plans.

One word, Benjamin…

Layer.

In the photo above I am once again wearing clothing purchased a few years ago. It’s all cas (pronounced “cazh.” As in “Dress code? Dude, it’s totally cas.”) But I mean it to denote both casual and blended with cashmere.

The herringbone jacket is by a company called Oliver and was purchased at Peter Blair during an end of the season sale. I wasn’t sure I could make a pumpkin spice coloured sportcoat work. It’s become a fall favourite. The sweater vest is B-Squared, charcoal cashmere. Sleeveless sweaters are very good layering pieces for these early fall days. Especially if you don’t take off your jacket. If you do, you run the risk of looking a little too “Jimmy Olsen, cub reporter” in my opinion. The navy tie is also B-Squared and is woolen knit. The trousers are Ralph Lauren cashmere (maybe 7%) blended with wool and carded to give them a nice soft, flannel-like hand. They are a houndstooth black and tan with a rust overplaid that plays nicely off the sportcoat and the houndstooth patterned shirt. Ancient Allen Edmonds Sandford model shoes round out the day’s choices. With the addition of a hat, it’ll be just warm enough for walking the three blocks to pick up my daughter. As the coat does not have surgeon’s cuffs (working button holes) I will be forced to take it off to carve the pumpkin this afternoon. But that will be in the privacy of my backyard.

Consider adding luxurious fabrics to your daily wear and don’t be afraid of a little colour to brighten up your fall.

I have a failsafe uniform for those casual evenings. I always feel appropriately dressed in it — not over dressed, never underdressed. At the risk of being thought a one-trick pony, I highly recommend having several mix and match pieces that will see heavy action through the coming party months.

Here is mine:

Sweater: Black silk cable knit (and getting ready to be replaced, soon. But where to find another? Until then here are a couple of offerings in other yarns.)

The Spencer Sweater in Wool by J. Crew

Cashmere Cable Knit Sweater via Sierra Trading Post

Ivory, grey pencil stripe, or white shirt. (The classic pinpoint button down works well here as the collar holds up under the sweater or I use the collar bones to help prop up the collar points.)

The Sloane Model Shirt by Ralph Lauren Black Label

Flat front super 110’s worsted wool medium grey or charcoal trousers. If you must buy clothing this season, buy a pair of flat front grey trousers, they are genius. Mine are the Todd model by Zanella.

Zanella's Todd Model Trouser via Nordstrom

Incotex's Luxury Wool Flat Front Trouser in Black and White via Sierra Trading Post

Belgian shoes, Venetian or penny loafers. In black. It’s night.

Mr. Casual in Calf by Belgian Shoes

Gravati's Suede Loafer via Zappos Couture

A. Testoni's Penny Loafer via Zappos Couture

Opt; neckerchief in black and tan, or black, white and red. For the colder evenings.

Ralph Lauren's St. James Spots Silk Square

With no time to dress or a need to travel light, my uniform gets me through any number of situations. After all, if a variation of it is good enough for this guy…