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The Color of the Season: Where to Get It and What to Wear

When October rolls around, there’s something about the leaves turning, the crisp Autumn air, and the shorter days that makes the “earth tone” algorithm run in our head and wardrobes.

This year there’s a particular hue that seems to be dominating collections, called everything from tobacco to coyote, Ghurka to bronze, and even earth, vicuna, and caramel. It’s not quite brown, not quite yellow, not quite orange, but something in between. The palette stems from the stirring interest in utility and workwear as a fashion trend, but it practically becomes a neutral when used as an alternative to navy or gray. Mix the color of the season with fall’s burgundies, bottle greens, teals, and even brighter yellows for a down-home, yet sophisticated appeal that will have you looking like the picture-perfect fall fashionisto.

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Frank and Oak Ribbed Wool Toque – $25

Frank and Oak’s knit hat strides that line between “dockworker” and “hipster,” but does it all with practical style. The heavily ribbed knit looks sturdy and you’ll be glad to have a little extra warmth when headed out for a day hike or nights out on the town. Plus, it just looks cool perched on top of everything from long hair to a shaved head. 

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Carhartt Sandstone Sherpa-lined Sierra Jacket – $120

The classic rendition of the season’s color, this Carhartt hoodie offers the practicality of durable, windproof duck canvas and an on-trend sherpa lining. Originally made for workers who brave the outdoors for their nine-to-five, this jacket will keep you equally warm from the construction site to the football field. 

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Hickey Freeman Cashmere Scarf – $195

We’ll say this once (this season, anyway): If you don’t already own a cashmere scarf, get one. Invest in a good quality piece that holds up to everyday wear and then take good care of it (for the next 20 years). The payback is worth it, as, besides being super soft and comfortable around your neck and face, cashmere is also super warm. This solid is a great thing to pair with a heavier sweater or a denim jacket, but will also look sophisticated with a black, charcoal, or navy overcoat. 

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Best Made Officer’s Shirt – $128

With the looks and durability of a military uniform, Best Made’s shirt has a great casual look that pairs well with dark-washed jeans or black pants. Wear it out or tuck it in for some old Hollywood star power. Roll up those sleeves and get ‘er done, whatever that means today. 

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Howlin Birth of the Cool Sweater – $170 

The sweater takes a starring role this season, and this one not only features our award-winning color (they call it “tobacco”) but also has great, shaggy texture in all natural Scottish wool. Throw it on over plaid button ups, solid tees, or polos for a relaxed vibe. And when the layering mood strikes, this sweater also looks great under a navy blazer, motorcycle jacket, or a shearling coat. 

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Todd Snyder + Champion Popover Hoodie Sweatshirt – $138

Soft, 100 percent cotton terry will make this hoodie your fall go-to. And with the season’s signature chestnut color, you’ll feel on-trend. Wear it as a great layering, warm-up piece for the gym or just pull it on for those nights hanging out in the yard, trying to squeeze the last bit of warmth from that fire pit. 

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Flint & Tinder 365 Pant – $98

Base a fall outfit with these pants that are cut like jeans, but feel like chinos and you’ll have a perfect sartorial set-up. They’re comfortable and practical, with a little stretch for performance. Go almost monochromatic with the Howlin sweater, above, or work those autumnal vibes with an olive sweatshirt or your favorite plaid flannel.

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Klik 2-ply Tactical Cobra Belt – $59

This heavy duty belt not only ticks the box of our utility/workwear trend for the season, but it also provides a great alternative for vegans since there’s no leather here. The webbing is also rated for 4,000 pounds of force, so you’ll be prepared for just about anything on your next hike, camping trip, or random MacGyver-ing opportunity. 

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Jordan Retro 9 NRG Boots – $225

Blending sneaker and boot styling, the Jordan Retro in “baroque brown” offers excellent support for rougher weather without sacrificing good looks.  Zoom Air in the heel enhances cushioning for extra comfort on one of those many fall walks.

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Take Advantage of Nordstrom’s Personal Styler To Get Ready for Special Occasions

When you get ready for a special occasion, it's important to adopt your own personal style. Besides making you look better, a personal style helps you feel better. After all, we're all individuals, which means we each have our own look that works for us. The only issue, though, is it can be difficult to define your personal look. That's where Nordstorm's Virtual Styling Services can help you out. Nordstrom's Virtual Styling Services provide a bespoke experience, like having your very own personal stylist but without needing to leave your home. Start with a Style Quiz, consult with Nordstrom Stylists, and even book a free video chat with a stylist to choose clothing, accessories, and personal products that define your unique style. Nordstrom's Personal Styling works because it focuses on a personal connection, the convenience of virtual services, and products selected to match and define your personal style.

The Nordstrom Personal Styler is an integral component of Nordstrom's Trunk Club box service. As a Trunk Club subscriber, which you can start or stop at any time, you can have trunks of clothing sent to you as regularly as you like. Shipping is free and you only pay for what you keep -- return shipments are free, too.

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West Major’s Crafted Shirts Are the Latest Chapter in the Story of Western Wear
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Led Zeppelin, Jerry Garcia, and Pink Floyd. The Allman Brothers and Lynyrd Skynyrd. A strolling George Harrison across the cover of The Beatles' Abbey Road. All these men, these bands, may be iconic to classic rock, but they have another thing in common: They were fans of and wore the classic Western shirt. It wasn't just rock; folk, blues, and many other genres' luminaries, over the course of a decade from the mid-'60s to the mid-'70s, were photographed wearing the classic American style. “If you go down all the genres of music," Nick Wetta, founder of West Major and maker of the best damn Western shirts in the world, tells The Manual, "you’ll find guys wearing Western shirts.”

Wetta, 31, is not a cowboy. Far from it — he's a self-described nerd who grew up in Arizona with no natural athleticism, but a passion for drum fills. His heroes were musicians, not horsemen, and to match their look, he'd pick through the racks of thrift-store pearl-snap shirts trying to find the perfect silhouette. "The fits were all over the place, and a lot for them were old and falling apart," he says. "But when I would find one that fit right, it was a grand slam.” Economy was only one reason for his secondhand sources; another was that those old shirts in photos were neither made nor marketed anymore; instead, the modern iteration, with its blousey fit and boring plaids, was geared toward Midwestern farmers. “And that is awesome," he says. "[But] it felt like there weren’t any Western brands for guys like me.”
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Leave It to Todd Snyder To Dream Up a Winning Menswear Collection For Golfers
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Many people mark the beginning of spring by observing their favorite seasonal event — waiting for Punxsutawney Phil to see his shadow, watching the cherry blossoms bloom, attending baseball's Opening Day.

For golfers, spring starts with the Masters Tournament — the first major championship of the year. Here, at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, the world's best golfers come and play for four days in hopes of getting to put on the highly coveted green sports jacket when it's all said and done. The beautiful blooming landscape, combined with the tournament's rich history and tradition, makes the Masters one of golf's most iconic events.
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