39 Wallet-Friendly Ways to Upgrade Your Fall Style

You needn't drop a bag to stunt on everyone you know this season.Courtesy of Abercrombie & Fitch, Backcountry, Banana Republic, Gap, J.Crew, L.L. Bean, Mr Porter, Uniqlo; Design: Emily HanhanThere is no muse more important for the burgeoning menswear enthusiast than the prospect of fall. If you find yourself among the many folks daydreaming of corduroy blazers and chunky socks, then you're at the right place. The only issue, really, is that fall goods aren’t cheap, and even the most ardent fans' passion can be tempered by terrifying price tags. That doesn’t mean you can’t upgrade virtually any facet of your wardrobe on the relative cheap, though. In fact, quite the contrary—you just need to know where to look.It's fair to say we have a knack for those sorts of things, so we thought we’d round up some instant fall upgrades, all of them $150 or less. And while, say, socks at that price point aren’t the hardest to source (although one could argue that discernment is even more necessary, considering the competition), trying to find yourself a jacket, sweater, or footwear under that threshold can be a bit of a chore. Just scroll on down and check out what we’re feeling this fall, and specifically the things our wallets will feel less.The Affordable Fall Upgrade Hit ListThe Vintage RugbyBanana Republic Archive Reissue Striped Rugby JerseyRead MoreThe Emotional Support FlannelGap Relaxed Flannel ShirtRead MoreThe Low-Pro Puddle StompersL.L. Bean Bean BootRead MoreThe $100 HarringtonUniqlo Wool Blend Harrington JacketRead MoreThe Furtively Funky SweaterStüssy Wave Knit SweaterRead MoreThe Less-Boring ThermalBig Rock Candy Mountaineering Gradient ThermalRead MoreThe RugbysBanana RepublicArchive Reissue Striped Rugby JerseyRugby's are having a justifiable moment—they're comfortable, the collar elevates them above more casual fare and they're a bit more fun than your standard polo—and this archive reproduction from Banana Republic might be better than any on the market, regardless of price. And the best part about one that's a little more subdued, palatte-wise? It'll go with every pant you can throw at it, plus nearly every goofy winter shoe they've come up with thus far.BeamsWide Fit 7-Gauge Rugby Knit Polo ShirtThe FlannelsThe way Gap runs out impeccable plaids on super soft flannels, it'd be easy to imagine that the selection process was one of the easiest things to do in all of menswear. After all, they have roughly a dozen every season worth wearing threadbare. But, dear reader, there are so, so many bad plaids out there. Gap, however, only picks good ones, and this one is the sort that will make you resent most modern flannels, and it won't even run you $50.Banana RepublicStandard-Fit Lightweight Brushed Flannel ShirtPortuguese FlannelLago Button-Down Cotton-Flannel ShirtThe DenimAbercrombie & FitchRelaxed JeanAbercrombie & Fitch's contribution to the wide world of wide jeans is undeniable, and for those of us who like a bit of room between fabric and leg, we're forever grateful. However, it's the new, slightly—slightly—slimmer Relaxed Jean that's headlining the vaunted denim selection this season. It's not too baggy, not too slim, with a straight leg that looks great with just a touch of break.Levi's505 Regular Selvedge JeansThe ShoesUnless you're consistently trudging through snow, there's no real reason to have calf-climbing boots, especially when the low-profile Bean Boot exists and it costs just $100. The chunky rubber sole grips like mounting puddy, there's ample ground clearance to keep slush, snow, rain and the like out—unless you're clomping through opaque puddles, which is on you—and the rubber toebox is one of the hardiest in the game.TimberlandAuthentic Three-Eye Lug Handsewn Boat ShoeAdidasTerrex Anylander Leather Mid Climaproof Hiking ShoesThe WorkshirtsJ.CrewWallace & Barnes Cotton Herringbone WorkshirtSome shirts are no-doubt headliners, the kind you wear with intent, the sort you break out when you want to make an impression, even if it's just a small one. Then there are others that live on a hook by the door or over the back of a chair and get worn basically every day in some capacity because they're impossibly easy to wear. They look just as comfortable inside a bodega at 8am as they do shooting pool closer to midnight. The former are great to have, but the latter are indispensible once integrated—this is the latter.FilsonLightweight Alaskan Guide ShirtThe CordsGap x A.P.C.Corduroy Relaxed Straight PantsThere are other fabrics suitable for fall and winter wear—many in fact—but I'd be lying to you all if I said I wore any of those as often as I do corduroy. Wider-wale corduroy has more heft than twill or even sateen, those same wales allow for a little breathability indoors while also blocking some of the cold when outside, and if they've ever invented an uncomfortable corduroy fabric, I haven't encountered it. And unlike denim, which isn't the best in the cold anyways, corduroy has the potential to dress up a little bit, depending on design, and can even get a little festive when called upon.Banana RepublicLoose Pleated Corduroy PantGramicciBig Wale Carpenter PantsThe SocksDarn ToughHiker Micro Crew Cushion SockSo you're allowed to wear cotton socks in the wintertime, mostly because they don't make laws for that kind of thing and free will is alive and well when it comes to sock selection, but you shouldn't. At least not on cold days, and especially not when you're hitting the trail. Instead, you should be wearing something like these from Darn Tough, which dry super fast, keep your feet warm when it's chilly, wick away sweat when you're working hard and nice and cushy under foot, because that's always nice, too.American TrenchThe Retro Double StripeQuinceMerino Cashmere Blend Ribbed Crew Sock (3-Pack)The Fall JacketsUniqloWool Blend Harrington JacketWe spend a lot of time covering Uniqlo sub-labels, but that doesn't mean the mainline isn't pumping out absolute heaters—just like this slightly cropped, warmer-than-expected take on a classic Harrington. In fact, for $100 it's hard to find a better fall jacket at the moment. The raglan sleeves are accommodating to even the most testy shoulders, the collar can stand when things get a little extra nippy and there's even a plaid lining to remind you that it is indeed a Harrington, even it's got a little more heft than the source material.The North FaceNSE Full-Zip Mask FleeceThe SweatersIf you're not messing with loud sweaters, know that you can have some fun with the category. It won't bite. But that being said, sometimes it's best to get weird with details, not colors. For instance, this patchwork Stüssy sweater has as intricate a design as you can find on a piece of knitwear, but it's also just a black sweater that can wear with slacks as easy as it will with jeans or chinos. The subtly rolled neckline stands out just a little bit, but doesn't shout and the cut allows for layering on either side, which means it can star or support, unlike the technicolor dream knits. Same goes for a cable-knit sweater, however, or something that gets a little quirky with fabric choice.Polo Ralph LaurenCable-Knit Cotton SweaterLady White Co.Varsity SweatshirtThe ThermalBig Rock Candy MountaineeringGradient ThermalIf you're wondering if your thermal arsenal is up to par, there's a one-question test you can take: have you worn a thermal yet this fall? If your answer is no, then your thermal cupboards might be running a little bare, because there are few things feel better on the body than a thermal does in the fall and presumably a lack of options would be the only good reason to have held out this long. And for anyone who thinks thermals are still surplus garments void of any inherent personality, the landscape has changed quite a bit in recent years. In fact, some, like this one from Big Rock Candy Mountaineering or the Paratodo one below, are as fun as like half the sweaters on the market right now.ParatodoLo-Fi Long Sleeve Raglan TeeBuck MasonVintage Thermal Surplus TeeThe SweatsAbercrombie & FitchEssential Popover 2.0 HoodieYou might have a great hoodie or a favorite pair of sweats or an emotional support crewneck at your disposal, but a) those things won't last forever, especially when they're not getting any bench time and b) having multiple cozy-making pieces to break out when the time calls is one of those things virtually no one regrets.Abercrombie & FitchYPB Barry's neoKNIT MAX Half-Zip SweatshirtReigning ChampMidweight Terry Fadeaway Relaxed SweatpantThe Long Sleeve PolosMadewellTextured-Stitch Long-Sleeve PoloThis might feel a bit redundant, considering what's come thus far, but don't sleep on the humble long-sleeve polo. Like their short-sleeved counterparts, they thrive under the most varied of circumstances, are canonically more comfortable than non-flannel button-ups and never feel stuffy. But long-sleeve polos might be even more versatile and—for anyone who appreciates an abbreviated placket and a collar—far more useful when you're trying to keep warm without piling on too many layers.LacosteRegular Fit Long Sleeve Piqué PoloThe AccessoriesBuck MasonSeafarer Cotton BeanieNot all cold-weather accessories do the same job, despite working in the same field. For instance, a cotton beanie, like this one from Buck Mason, provides just the right amount of warmth for a hoodie or light jacket kind of day, but when those temperatures dip into the I'm Layered TF UP zone, you'll want something that's better at trapping heat and staying warm, like cashmere or lambswool. Luckily for all of us, there are options aplenty south of $150.William LockieRibbed Cashmere BeanieTodd SnyderRecycled Cashmere Half Cardigan Stitch ScarfReed Nelson is a freelance writer for GQ Recommends covering menswear and gear. Before writing full time, he spent years working retail at Unionmade Goods, Gant Rugger, J.Crew, and Nike—experience that sharpened his eye for what’s actually worth buying. He’s also worked as an in-house copywriter for brands big and ... Read More