Fall Forward: MR PORTER’s Best Brands for The Season

As leaves turn brown and Michael Bublé gets set for royalty season (cha-ching), we find ourselves in an awkward limbo. The optimism of summer has faded but winter isn’t quite ready to give us clarity. One day it’s blue skies and bubble tea, the next it’s drizzle that dampens your Dr. Martens.

Which is precisely why we need to address your wardrobe—quickly.

The good news? This season’s best fall collections can be found in one place. MR PORTER and its myriad of menswear mavens have been working overtime to bring together everything a man needs to see him through the season, and beyond.

Keep reading as I sift through the highlights, pointing out the pieces worth your coin while valiantly resisting the urge to blow my own bank account into obliteration. Consider me your sartorial sherpa, minus the frostbite.

First up: Aimé Leon Dore. You know, the cool one found in Lower Manhattan (and Soho if you’re in London). And yes, this is kind of a big deal.

Until now, Teddy Santis’ cult New York label has played hard to get, running entirely on a direct-to-consumer model. Meaning if you weren’t standing in line on Mulberry Street, or surgically attached to your phone, you had next to no chance at copping the exclusives. Trust me, I still have PTSD from missing the ALD x New Balance 860v2 Pack.

But thanks to MR PORTER (and NET-A-PORTER) securing the goods, you can finally bring the brand’s hip-hop-meets-Ralph Lauren swagger to your wardrobe—stress-free. Though you’ll still have to visit the store if you fancy a croissant and cortado from the cafe.

Then there’s Stone Island’s Ghost collection. Aka the minimalist’s dream. Or the maximalist’s nightmare, depending on how much you like getting the badge in. Since 2011, the Italian icon has used this range to go full monochrome. Stripping every garment back to a single shade, badge included. The result is less about flexing and more about letting the functionality speak for itself.

This season, the military-inspired range boasts plenty of navy, brown, and gray, featuring fabrics that are both technical and tactile. Proof, if you needed it, that minimal design can still make maximum impact.

And of course, there’s Mr P. This is the in-house line at MR PORTER. It’s the kind of label everyone can get behind. Premium staples, designed to be worn every day, but with enough thought behind them that they feel like more than basics.

The collection drops five times a year, which means your closet is always in sync with the season (so long as the weather behaves itself). And fall’s instalment has everything. From knitwear perfect for the Scottish Highlands to coats cool enough for downtown.

There’s an old photo of Dean Martin sitting backwards on a chair. He’s in a recording studio, with a cigarette in his left hand. Looking as nonchalant as ever, he lights the room with his trademark grin. Underneath a check jacket, he wears an off-white turtleneck.

Why am I telling you this? Because I was obsessed with it, and felt a similar excitement when I first saw this version from ALD. Presented in the same timeless shade, it’s knitted from a merino wool and cotton-blend with wide ribbing to keep you warm. As versatile as it is soft, you can wear it under a dress shirt (for that 1970s vibe) or alone with a pair of jeans. For the ultimate look, follow Dino’s lead with a blazer and formal pants.

It’s sweater season, so it makes sense to be putting a lot of your focus (and cash) into that department. And I can’t think of many better options than this classic from Mr P. Made from cotton with a hint of stretch, it’s the kind of style you can throw on in the morning before grabbing coffee or as a mid layer for a cold commute.

Reminiscent of the designs sailors would wear (back when they dressed really cool), this sweater feels like it belongs in a weathered tavern on Cape Cod, waves crashing outside while you cradle a pint of Guinness.

It carries a tonal take on the brand’s badge—subtle, but all the better for it—and lands in that perfect mid-weight zone that works just as well under a jacket as it does worn solo. The waffle-knit texture adds depth and character, giving it a tactile quality that’ll quickly make it a favorite.

It’s surprisingly difficult to find a decent pair of gray sweatpants. So when I do eventually find some I act immediately. These from ALD are already in my basket. The fit is relaxed but not too baggy, and the material is a wonderfully soft loopback cotton-jersey. Seeing as I tend to hibernate through the colder months, they’ll be clocking some serious miles.

Retro sneakers are everywhere right now, so it makes sense that Mr P. has thrown its hat in the ring with a pair that look like they’ve stepped out of 1978. Paneled in full-grain leather and suede, they have bundles of retro charm but none of the crumbling soles.

Better yet, they’re lined with breathable terry, which means no swampy feet after a long day. One thing to note: they run a little big, so it’s best to go half a size down.

I’m currently in the middle of growing out a buzzcut, so hats are pretty much a non-negotiable for me right now. This one from Stone Island is perfect, keeping my hair hidden and ears warm. Made from a luxury cashmere fabric, it has a ribbed design, snug fit, and a soft, lightweight handle.

Billy is a content specialist and social media manager. His portfolio includes articles for publications such as British GQ, Esquire and Men’s Health. A self-confessed lover of luxury streetwear, he admits to an unhealthy obsession for baseball caps and high-end sneakers.