Fall Fabrics You Should Be Buying
The temperature drops and suddenly fabric matters again. Not in an abstract sense, but in the tactile reality of what you’ll reach for when mornings turn cold.
This season isn’t about novelty; it’s about materials that have always worked, refined by brands who understand that luxury lives in the weave, not the logo. From flannel’s renaissance to selvedge denim’s sturdiness, these are the fabrics defining fall wardrobes.
Flannel
Flannel has entered a more grown up phase and is no longer boxed into Buffalo checks or grunge stereotypes. Portuguese Flannel and Gitman Vintage cut lighter shirting versions, while luxurious brands like Stòffa push heavier weights into trouser and tailoring territory.
The sweet spot: 200–250gsm for shirts, 350gsm+ for trousers. Treated like a luxury cloth, flannel delivers understated depth with nothing more than its brushed surface.
Merino, Lambswool & Mohair
A triumvirate of winter warmers. Merino, lambswool, and mohair sit on the same spectrum of luxury practicality, each with its own sweet spot.
Merino handles precision: light, breathable, and versatile, the kind of knit Sunspel or Saman Amel make that disappears under tailoring but still holds its shape.
Lambswool brings the texture: denser, slightly rustic, with brands like Stone Island proving that the imperfection is part of the charm.
And mohair: sharp, lustrous, and deliberately uncomfortable at times, but unbeatable for jackets and cardigans with attitude. Think Our Legacy or Prada taking that brushed finish into statement, punk territory.
The point isn’t picking one fiber as 'best'; it’s understanding that each answers a different question in cold-weather dressing. Together, they cover the whole wardrobe equation, from reliable base layers to standout outer knits.
Corduroy
Corduroy is no longer academic shorthand. Fine-wale from Ami Paris or Universal Works sits nicely in more hardwearing tailoring; wide-wale from Engineered Garments or Séfr makes the fabric into an almost pattern-like statement.
Chocolate and green are staples, but dusty pink and burnt umber are where things feel new.
Waxed Cotton
Waxed cotton has moved beyond Barbour-clad farmyard cosplay while keeping its utility intact. Belstaff and Filson lean heritage; Maison Margiela and De Bonne Fracture modernize the silhouette and shape for a more city-dwelling wearer. Olive and navy are classic go-to colors, while black options bring a more minimal sharpness.
Let your jacket age in well, show wear, and require the re-waxing — patina is the point.
Selvedge Denim
Selvedge denim in 13oz+ weights turns workwear into hard-working-wear. A.P.C., Edwin and Drake's all have heavier weight denim as part of their core DNA, while The Row and Auralee are taking this century old fabric and giving it a truly luxury spin. These pieces demand commitment — months to soften, years to fade — but reward patience.