Season's Greetings: Fall's best outerwear

Photo: Courtesy Goldspun

Our week of walking you through flip-flopping global warmed weather is almost over. (If you need the refresher course, check out our guide to mid-weight hats, tops, bottoms and shoes.)

And now -- on to how to seal the deal:

OUTERWEAR > Arguably the best part of fall, this year's jackets include styles that make it easy to work with the weather. The new crop of denim jackets are smaller and less boxy, so they keep a leaner silhouette. There were also some intriguing additions to the classic style, such as hoods, flannel lining and and even a denim trench from Japanese denim company Goldspun (at left). Beyond the denim there is, of course, the blazer, and the color and patter of choice is gray plaid, a la Mad Men. Other functional light jackets include the barracuda, which were big for spring but also work well for fall in neutral colors. If none of those flight your fancy, take it from The Gap: everybody in leather. Cropped, fitted and rugged is all you need to remember.

-- SETH PLATTNER