A: Yes, tweed does seem to be back, but take care in how you wear it.  The tweed jacket can be refreshing and cool, but it needs to be done right.

I think tweed gets a bad rap from old school professors who wear it with patches on the elbows.  It can be worn with style, but I’m a bit more classic than the folks at GQ and Esquire, who seem to be pushing tweed as a trend for Fall.  I tend to think of tweed as “country” wear, where sophisticates sip on cognac and smoke pipe tobacco while wearing a fine tweed jacket.  Maybe that’s just me.

If you want to do tweed in the city at night, you may be able to pull it off with the right fit and complementary clothes.  If I had to make one outfit with a tweed jacket, I would start with a medium to charcoal gray tweed jacket (with a slim silhouette, lapels and no patches, of course).  Under that tweed jacket, wear a sweater or button-down.  And finish the outfit off with a pair of dark denim jeans (navy or black, if you like this Fall’s black jeans trend) or even pinwale cords. 

Whatever you do, keep your outfit simple; you’ll already be attracting attention for wearing tweed.  Let people admire the cut of your jacket—don’t distract them with a complicated pattern.  Oh and contrary to the pictured J Crew example, skip the t-shirt under the tweed blazer look. The wool and the rich tweed texture make this jacket more dressy, and the t-shirt tends to make the look immature, not young. The J Crew guys saved the look by layering the cardigan over the t-shirt.

Plaid is in.  It was in last Fall, it was in through Winter, it was in this Summer, and its in again this Fall.  I like plaid best when it peeks out from under something muted, like a dark-colored peacoat.  However, this jacket is so handsome that you should show off the plaid.  I love the rustic feel of this jacket, and it goes fantastic with dark denim.  But then again, few things don’t.

Also consider a more subdued plaid on a fantastically cut trench, $250 at Banana Republic.

Last year, the Italian-made Common Projects exploded onto the scene, with its signature….well, lack of signature.  Those shoes, almost always monochromatic in color and sans logo (the individual numbering in gold writing on the outer heel is the closest thing), were a huge hit.  I will suggest those shoes as long as they exist, but if you don’t feel like dropping $200+ for sneakers, these Rod Lavers are a great alternative.  Just as clean and just as white, these low tops are simple and understated.  Haven’t you heard? Minimalism is in.

Also consider Common Projects Sneakers, $278 at South Willard, or white Converse Chuck Taylors, $69 at Zappos.

A few months ago, we spotlighted Engineered Garments and predicted big things from them.  The fashion world has noticed: the label recently won the opportunity to design a small collection for Levi’s.  The collection, which will hit stores in a couple of weeks, reflects their signature style: clothes for the American working man, but with a stylish twist. What I like about this unstructured jacket is that even though it has its fair share of pockets, they are patch pockets.  Patch pockets don’t bulge out like cargo pants pockets, meaning that you can dress this jacket up or down.

Also consider: Cargo jacket | $68 at Gap.

Cords are great as long as they are pinwale.  (A wale is the “thickness” of the cord. We prefer a sleeker and smaller wale.)  Wear them when you want to give your jeans a day off; they are similar to jeans in their feel, look, and formality. 

Also consider cord jeans by Levi’s, Gap, and John Varvatos.  I especially love the Gap ones.

If you’re like me, then you’re always looking the perfect shoe that is somewhere in between sneaker and loafer on the casualness scale.  Bucks?  Yeah, but a bit too much sometimes.  Boots? Sure, but a bit too…urban, sometimes.  Enter TOMS, makers of these fine canvas/leather loafers.  I love these shoes because they’re as comfortable as my bedroom slippers, yet they’re handsome enough to wear when I want that upscale casual feel.  Best of all, they’re pretty affordable. And for every pair you buy, Tom’s donates a pair to charity.

Ok, so $200 (after tax) isn’t exactly cheap for a sweater, but if you caught my comment, you’ll realize that this sweater is probably worth more.

I have long loved the simplicity of a white shirt and solid gray tie.  There’s something about it that’s just so sleek yet elegant.  These wool ties by Michael Kors are exactly what you want; matte and with texture.  Thom Browne says that every day, he wears a grey suit with a white shirt and grey tie.  I can see why.

Also consider this grey wool tie by Thom Browne ($150), from his Black Fleece collection for Brooks Brothers.

Leather jackets are back in, and I for one am glad.  Done right, a leather jacket is versatile enough for both casual and more formal occasions.  And, by “right,” I mean snug and trim, like this one by Gap.  The Italians wear leather jackets the best: fitted like a blazer, with a thin layer underneath.  As with most things in style, it pays to follow their lead.

Also consider: the leather jacket for the guy with the bottomless pit of money, by Julius.

Bonus Picks: Omiru considers many aspects, including price, when suggesting pieces for both men and women.  Lifting that barrier on price for a moment, we want to show you some other great (but pricey) picks for Fall. 

This is not just another rugby shirt.  First, there’s the cotton/wool blend, giving it a luxe feel.  Then, there’s the asymmetrical seam (see it diagonal from the shoulder?).  If you’re looking to splurge on a shirt, this is the one.  It looks fantastic underneath a trim black peacoat and either dark denim or well-cut slate-colored khakis.

Okay, so it’s pretty darned pricey and I’m not going to try to justify the price of the sweater this time.  But you should know that if you get it, you’re getting the best sweater of the season: chunky, comfy and ultra-luxe, with its blend of 40% alpaca and 18% wool. 

If you know me, you’ll know that I’m not a huge fan of L.A. “style” – Details magazine recently declared Los Angeles as the most unstylish city in America.  Despite this title, LA has nurtured a safe haven of style in the form of Ryan Conder’s excellent boutique, South Willard.  Prices are far from bargain basement, but you can always find clothes that will add that extra dash of style to your wardrobe.  I like this plaid piece; it looks great underneath a trim, dark colored peacoat.

I know I’ve suggested this watch before, but I only reiterate my suggestion because I love it.  As far as watches go, it’s relatively inexpensive.  Sure, you’re paying $275, but it looks like you paid $2750 for it.  This watch has earned me many compliments from both friends and coworkers.

In the meantime, you can purchase Topman clothes online and have them shipped to the US.  Here’s our six favorite pieces from Topman’s UK Fall 2008 collection:

Knitted Grey Toggle Cardigan | $75 (approx) at Topman

Chunky cardigans are in this fall and this is your chance to get a great one.  I love the texture and the toggle detail.  Plus, it’s machine washable, unlike most sweaters.

Perfect for when the leaves change, this scarf adds an instant burst of color to any outfit.  Wear it when the rest of your outfit is muted to make it really stand out.  

Maybe I’ve been watching too many Mad Men reruns, but I am all about monochromatic outfits this year.  This tie is simple and stylish – although, at 3.5 cm, not “skinny,” as the site labels it. One of my favorite ways to wear a solid navy tie is with a medium gray suit and a simple windowpane shirt.

Style tip: For all things ties, be sure to check out Tie Crafters.  They specialize in cleaning ties and can narrow, widen, shorten, elongate, reline and even retip your ties.  They are based out of New York, so unless you live there, you will have to mail your tie to them.  But it’s worth it.  Neiman Marcus in Palo Alto, CA, charges $112 to narrow a tie, but Tie Crafters sets you back just $17.  Not bad.

Topman seems to favor selling “distressed” (or in their words, “creased”) shoes.  I prefer to buy a clean pair and distress them myself through wear.  I love loafers and lace ups that are really worn in.  

I think waistcoats should be worn more often.  Waistcoasts aren’t just for bankers wearing three piece power suits.  I think a great waistcoat can look fantastic with a tie and shirt over jeans.  It’s a great going-out-in-the-city look. If you want some visual inspiration, look no farther than Mr. Simon Spurr, the creator of his eponymous label.  

Mix and match fabrics for the jacket and shorts.  What makes this combination so chic is the seemingly effortless pairing of the blazer and shorts.  It’s not a shorts suit–so pick a jacket and shorts in different fabrics and colors.  A couple of easy color combinations?  Navy and grey (as pictured), and khaki and white.

Wear a button down shirt.  Maintain the somewhat formal feel of the outfit by wearing a button down shirt instead of a tee.  The shirt need not be perfectly pressed to be sophisticated; in fact, the casual feel of the blazer and shorts combo calls for a shirt that’s ever so slightly wrinkled.

Repetition: The colors in the outfit are driven by the blue and white gingham shirt.  The blue in the button down shirt is echoed in the more vibrantly colored blue ringer tee, which itself hints at the white in the gingham shirt–and the crisp white jeans.

Color Coordination: The vibrant blue of the tee requires an equally rich color to complement it.  The deep chocolatey brown driving moccasins are exactly what the stylist ordered.  Aren’t these colors great together?

Balance: The bright blue striped tee and the splash of orange on the sneakers provide a counterbalance for the muted neutrals in the rest of the outfit.

Repetition: Stripes, stripes, stripes.  The stripes of the tee are front and center, but they’re echoed in the pinstripe of the belt and the colorblocking on the Diesel sneakers.

A lot of what makes something casual is nuance and detail.  Structure and material, to me, are the deciding factors.  A suit can be too casual for the office if the jacket is unstructured.  A pair of trousers, even if they are wool, can be casual if they are uncreased and are not hemmed at an appropriate length. A knit or skinnier tie can be casual.  Sidebar: Despite what many men think, a skinnier tie is not “old-fashioned” or “from the 50s” – it can be quite modern – it is just more casual.

At the same time, clothing that is too casual for Monday through Thursday can be worn on casual Friday.  That unstructured cotton suit from J. Crew? Perfect for casual Friday.  Ignore coworkers jabbing you and asking you why you are so dressed up—you know better.  That pair of uncreased khakis that hits the top of your shoe?  Casual Friday.  Knit tie? Casual Friday.

Style Tip: GAP seems to be following in J. Crew and H&M’s footsteps by hiring a high-end designer to create a line for the label at a lower price point.  Unfortunately, none of the Pierre Hardy for GAP boots are available online yet, but be sure to check back for them.  The quality and design of Pierre Hardy at a lower price point is a great value.

These Italian-designed watches from designer Marco Mavilla are crafted after high-end watches, but sell at more affordable prices—most watches are in the $200 to $400 range—exactly the kind of steal we love here at Omiru.

The magic of these watches is that they resemble high-end luxury watches, but you never get the feeling that they are just cheap knock-offs.  Jazz is to music as ToyWatch is to watches.  Like jazz artists, who take already written pieces and employ tropes to make the music their own, ToyWatch takes classic timepieces and uses new and interesting materials and design elements to make them unique.

Mr. Mavilla designed his first ToyWatch in 2006, and just two years later, they have caught fire, especially among L.A. celebrities.  It could very well be that ToyWatch will be the next Swatch.

Brown Sports Watch | $255 at Barney’s New York

At first glance, this piece, the result of a collaboration between Men’s Vogue and ToyWatch, looks like an expensive luxury watch.  The band is a grosgrain ribbon, and the subtle rose gold finish on the casing is absolutely perfect.  Subtle and refined, you could wear this piece for almost any occasion and it would look great.  I love this watch.  Limited to 200 units; a steal at $255.

This is the quintessential ToyWatch.  The case and bracelet are both made of a clear acrylic.  And at 38mm, the size is just right.  And, while it is not explicitly stated anywhere, this piece was modeled after the classic Rolex Oyster Perpetual Submariner; just look at the resemblance!

A piece from ToyWatch’s high-end line, this watch is just beautiful.  The entire thing is ceramic, which gives it a sleek, modern look.  Best of all is its durability: it’s virtually scratchproof. It reminds me of the Chanel J12.

Featuring a black rubber band with stainless steel buckle and a silver dial and bezel, this bold piece is another stunner.  The shape of the case and face make me think of those beautiful Panerai watches.

Nothing says “man watch” like a chunky chronograph.  I like this piece here, with its mother of pearl dial.  It looks similar to a Breitling Navitimer, no?

Style Tip: ToyWatch’s website has a nice little glossary of watch terms that appear frequently throughout the ToyWatch site.  Remember, the informed buyer always makes a better purchase.