We all know Instagram is a prime source of fashion inspiration, but noodling the for you page can be an exercise of futility.
Some style creators gatekeep their hardest-hitting pieces. Others grace their followers with a link, but the item is discontinued by the time you stumble upon their post.
Sometimes there simply isn’t an acceptable alternative for those 1-of-1 grails your favorite influencer is rocking. But it’s all about channeling the aesthetic energy instead of cloning an outfit garment by garment like Archimedes ship.
Fall is the high season for every streetwear, sartorial, and avant-garde fashion wizards to make their apparel sorcery known to the world. They’re already occupying your feed, but like I said before, sifting through Google’s endless barrage of sponsored recommendations to put your own spin on a look quickly fails to launch.
With my deep Rolodex of brands, an unflinching pulse on fall trends, and a shopping-addiction-fueled knowledge of search engine boolean operators, I drafted an instruction manual to emulate six of my favorite looks this fall.
Relaxed Structure
Style icon @monsieurcoupet blends western and NY city style in this look with such finesse that’s truly deserving as the opener to this list.
Starting with the centerpiece of this outfit, the peak lapel blazer, the Sunflower Double-Breasted Blazer should do the trick.
With a light wash and pearl snaps, head on over to REVOLVR for this denim shirt for a western lean. A chambray button-up would also work as a lightweight alternative.
A brown leather belt is a wardrobe essential, but if you don’t already own one with brass hardware, I bet this one from Manready Mercantile is just as sturdy as it looks. These MYRQVIST Waxed Brown Suede chelsea boots color match it to perfection.
These waxed brown leather boots are rugged but sleek, making them super versatile—not to mention ideal for fall.
Simple Americana
What do I dig about @brightbazaar’s getup here? It’s simple, understandable, but the bandana+sunglasses combo gives it individuality without jumping the shark. Which, let’s be honest, can happen before you know it when it comes to accessorizing.
Good news: I did happen to find the exact jacket responsible for the military undertones seen here. It’s the Omaha Flyweight Hbt P-43 Fatigue Shirt from Buck Mason.
It isn’t hard to find a solid pair of light denim, but Suitsupply’s Off-White Straight Leg Jeans come the closest in terms of color and silhouette.
Maybe you don’t have a bandana lying around. Luckily, that’s the easiest part of replicating this look. If you’re like me, keen on scoring the coolest of anything, this one from Bandits is absolutely electric. For something less cumbersome, might I recommend a bandana necklace?
Retro Western
Okay, shameless plug here, but only because this look’s gotten enough compliments to recommend it with full confidence.
In the same vein as the first example, this outfit is undeniably rooted in the American Southwest. And while it doesn’t carry a sartorial edge owing to a double-breasted blazer, it’s awfully polished for a casual look—precisely why I rock it so often. So how did I assemble it? Here’s the rundown:
My TWOTHIRDS Sebree Jacket is the hero piece here. Cropped outerwear flattering to begin with, but I love how instead of going with a traditional Type III denim jacket silhouette, they iterated on the idea with a zipped front, fold-over pockets, and a buttoned bottom tab. It strikes a perfect balance between an inventive design and timeless appeal.
For the lower half, I’m rocking my most-worn pair of jeans: Naked & Famous Groovy Guys in Left Hand Selvedge. If you aren’t as gung ho on the slight flare through the leg, Fullcount’s 0105W is made from selvedge denim for that gradual lived-in charm and a fit wide enough to drape over your choice of cowboy boots—a pair of Tecovas Cartwright in my case.
I’ll leave the hat up to you, but something niche sells the story. Try snagging a vintage trucker featuring the logo of a hunting lodge, dive bar, or bait & tackle shop that’s long since defunct.
Updated 70s Elegance
This photo alone demonstrates that @jeremyself_ knows how to usher retro 70s steez into the 21st century.
Other than a more chocolatey shade of brown, the Cashmere Cord Blazer from Private White V.C. is a duplicate of the one he’s rocking. If anything, the darker hue makes it an equally stylish piece for winter cocktail parties.
This corduroy blazer is great because the cashmere makes it soft and the texture adds a vintage vibe—but far from dated. It works just as well for casual looks as it does for more dressed-up occasions.
I’d venture to say the tie is a vintage piece from the Nixon administration, but the Kiriko Original Tie comes damn close.
While the Forét X Kleman Pants are technically army fatigues, they lack any uber-tactical details that would make these trousers seem like military surplus. Otherwise, the fit and color are spot on.
If you’re willing to spend the money, a pair of Paraboot Michael’s will last you a lifetime. I’m certain these are to thank for this outfit’s academic edge.
Casual Yet Sartorial
The casual blazer, light wash denim, and baseball cap look is everywhere these days. You can thank Todd Snyder for planting that seed.
Popular as it may be, @richyskr is both effortless and elegant in his interpretation.
Suitsupply is coming in clutch once again. The Mid Brown Checked Tailored FIt Havana Blazer bears a similar autumnal check pattern in an alpaca wool silk that’s surely comfier than a pure-wool variant.
There are a million oxford shirts out there, but Portuguese Flannel’s are a cut above the rest, so I have no qualms in vouching for the Belavista Striped Oxford Shirt.
The same can be said about rag & bone—their denim has never failed me, nor would their Fit 2 Slim Fit Jeans fail you in replicating this timeless ensemble.
Cropped Jackets and High-Waisted Trousers
@leeyjohn_ has been a reliable well of inspiration in my style journey, and it doesn’t take a fashion anthropologist to see why. I can’t help but worship such masterful technique texture, proportion, color, and material curation.
With exterior pockets and contrasting hardware, Private White V.C.’s Dogtooth Bomber is a distant relative to the jacket seen here rather than a sibling, but it maintains the structured look and cropped length that makes this outfit such a banger.
Finding wide-leg trousers in a similar color was the biggest challenge on this list, but I found an eligible alternative: Suitsupply’s Wide Leg Straight Pants.
The boots are really what sold me on this look as a must-see for fall. Similar to the stompers pictured above, Ariat’s Heritage R Toe Western Boots are made from sleek black leather, and despite the medallion stitching over the vamp, the lack of any contrast stitching throughout the shaft means they’re endlessly versatile for year-round looks.
Fall style is all about experimenting and layering up, so don’t stress if you can’t find the exact pieces your favorite creators are wearing. It’s more about the vibe than being a carbon copy.
Mix, match, and make it yours—and remember, half the fun is in the search (and maybe a little overspending).
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