Don’t underestimate the power of coziness. There are few more pleasant autumnal experiences than throwing on a chunky sweater or a warm flannel as the leaves begin to change color. This autumn, neutral earth tones won’t dominate the fashion world. Instead, this season’s hottest colors are bold, vibrant, and utterly radiant. For vintage style lovers, Urban Outfitters is the place to shop for comfortable knitwear, trendy shoes, and accessories.
Urban Outfitters invited me to try on some of their latest styles from their own brand. I selected five pieces and tried them on for two weeks.
What’s new in Urban Outfitters’ fall menswear collection?
Urban Outfitters own brand, UO, offers some of the latest styles at relatively affordable prices. Curious to try out the Y2K fashion trend? Or maybe you’d like to finally dip your toes in the world of tie-dye fashion. UO offers a wide selection of women’s and men’s clothing, and even home and beauty products for fashion-conscious shoppers looking for the latest go-to styles. In their autumn menswear collection, UO offers clothes and accessories in vibrant colors, sumptuous fabrics, and thought-provoking patterns.
I liked the UO men’s fall styles
The latest trends with unexpected updates
I haven’t worn a sweater vest since I was in high school in the early eighties. And to be completely transparent, I don’t remember it being in style back then. But it seems that a decidedly “grandpa” aesthetic has taken root in my wardrobe over the past few years, thanks to the non-serious style vibe of Gen-Z. And the Lucas Argyle Sweater Vest is straight out of the Gen-Z lookbook. Slightly oversized, colorful, and very soft to the touch.
What surprised me, though, was the textile treatment – this sweater almost exclusively uses the wrong side of knitting. No, I’m not suggesting that it’s put together badly. The wrong side of any textile is the back of the fabric, or the part of the fabric closest to the body (as opposed to the right side, or the front of the fabric). This meant that the inside of this sweater vest looked like a traditional argyle vest, while the outside gave a really unique textural effect that I really liked. I’ll admit, because of this, the first time I put the sweater vest on, it got caught in my necklace and one of the threads came loose. However, with some careful tugging, it all came back where it should have.
Pricing allows you to try new styles
One challenge in keeping up with trends is the prohibitive price of designer clothes. UO’s affordably priced options allow you to dive into the latest styles without breaking the bank. Plus, the clothes are well made for the price. Over the course of two weeks, I often reached for the Lucas Sweater Vest, paired with my favorite white tee (currently a heavy tee from Front General Store) and a pair of khakis. The Graphic Crew Neck Sweater looks bright, bold, durable and well made. While it’s not yet cold enough to wear the Kenny Puffer Jacket where I live, I was blown away by the quality of the construction and the deep, rich color of the jacket – and the length felt positively contemporary compared to most puffer jackets I’ve worn in the past.
What I didn’t like about UO Men’s fall styles
The inconsistency of sizing was one of the worst I’ve ever encountered.
Look, I get it: oversized is in right now. But there’s a big difference between oversized and completely absurd. And to be honest, my experience with Urban Outfitters is not the best. As a plus-size male, I have often been excluded from shopping in the past because I exceeded the upper limit of their size chart.
The checked flannel hoodie, for example, was roomy enough to fit another body. Urban Outfitters quickly took care of the replacement, but even when I downsized to an XL, the flannel remained so large that I never wore it outside the house.
The shoes were not very convincing
The one product I was most looking forward to trying was the Croc Textured Loafers. I’d been looking for a traditional loafer shoe with a horse bit for quite some time, and I was convinced that this was the one. The crocodile embossing, green leather, and polished gold horseshoes update what is practically a copy of an iconic style. And while these shoes look stunning in the photos and even out of the box, they felt totally uncomfortable for everyday wear. The feel of the leather uppers wasn’t very shiny, and the rubber sole was so stiff that it was sometimes challenging to walk normally.
Is UO’s autumn menswear collection worth it?
Yes, but double and triple-check the sizing.
If you’re looking for the latest styles, affordable prices, and well-crafted clothes, UO’s autumn menswear collection comes highly recommended. The garments are designed to stand out without being completely over the top. I appreciated the unique textile treatment and design details on each garment. My only suggestion is to double-check the sizing guide and product descriptions to determine if the typical size is right for you. If in doubt, size down and you can probably still enjoy a slightly oversized fit.