In the Zone

Hey Guys! Welcome back to In the Zone! As you all know, fall is knockin on our door so it's time to take a look at some HOT fall fashion. It is getting cooler so it's time to whip out a jacket. Fall is the season for layering, making it one of the best times of year to show off your wardrobe to its most fashionable extent. Runway trends for this year included the continued theme of gray from the summer months as well as military style, leather, denim, and the return of black. Please leave the ski jackets in the basement and anything emblazoned with sports mascots in the closet. This year’s fall shows also featured a wide variety of cuts for jackets, with knee-length and cropped coats emerging as the dominant trends throughout the collections and add-ons like extra zippers and belts also being popular with designers. Here are some hot, stylish jackets to throw on as the temperatures cool down. Get in the zone!

Theory charcoal twill "Hank NR Vega" jacket

Carrying over from spring/summer 2007, gray remained hugely popular with designers for fall. Think of this versatile color as you would black -- it can be paired with pretty much everything and looks good on almost everyone. This cropped charcoal jacket from Theory is a great way to work the color into your wardrobe on more relaxed days and its lightweight cotton twill composition will provide an extra layer of warmth as the days start to get a bit cooler. The large pockets also let you carry around your wallet and a camera, making this piece a smart choice to pack for any traveling and sightseeing you might be doing this fall. You won’t need to add much more than jeans and a T-shirt to this ensemble to feel super-comfortable while looking casually cool.

Zara wind-break anorak

In the lead-up to winter, you know you can expect some rainy, windy days and this wind-breaking anorak from Zara is the perfect way to fashionably combat the elements. Made from a cotton-nylon blend, this topper will keep you warm when layered over a classic crew or V-neck sweater. Of course, it’ll look fabulous with jeans, but since this fall hails the comeback of black as the color-du-jour, try teaming it with some black pants and sunglasses for a streamlined, minimalist, chic look that will make a big impact. The zipper, cropped length and military shoulder detailing also make this item a must-have for fall, but thankfully it’s one that won’t break the bank. For those with a really daring sense of style, this jacket is also available in white.

Cole Haan black leather zip-up motorcycle jacket

Combining many of fall’s themes into one piece, this super slick, must-have jacket from Cole Haan is bang-on trend. The smooth, supple, black lambskin of this piece combined with a sexy zip and a seriously sophisticated snap-close collar is guaranteed to make any man look gorgeous. Bring out your inner bad boy with this cropped jacket that oozes polished rock and roll style. Throw it on over jeans and a T-shirt for an effortlessly cool look that will make heads spin. When temperatures drop a little, just add a scarf to keep yourself cozy and have all the women in the room hanging on your every word. Bonus: An interior cell phone pocket lets you tote around your phone with ease and ensures you’ll be able to keep track of all the new additions to your electronic black book.

Old Navy men’s denim jacket

Denim will be hugely popular this season, as witnessed by the sheer amount of it seen in the fall collections. Be careful about pairing denim with more denim though, since that’s a combination that can be really hard to pull off and can sometimes appear quite dated. If you’re not a mix master, combining denim on top with black on the bottom is a safe way to get in on this trend. Proof that you don’t need to spend tons of money to be fashionable, this classic yet contemporary jacket from Old Navy is a piece that will keep on giving since it will bring you up-to-speed for fall and keep you looking good for years to come. Faded for a lived-in feel, this piece is edgy paired with a concert tee. If you love a clean, all-American look, choose a plain white T-shirt or a plaid button-down as your base instead. Add a tuque once mornings get a bit colder for an I-didn’t-try-too-hard style.

Club Monaco covered plackett cotton trench

This mid-length cotton trench coat from Club Monaco is just the thing you for fall when you need to add a dressier element to your ensemble. The definition of modern urbanity, this trench will literally go with everything in your closet. Toss it on over jeans and a dress shirt when you need to look good in two minutes flat, and exude class when you wear it with dress pants. This trench is the ultimate piece to help you look put-together for work, as well as add refinement to casual looks.



Cut and length were big factors that dictated the styles for fall this year. The essentials you’ll need to glide suavely through the season are one mid-length coat, one cropped jacket and something in black. Jackets usually have more staying power than other items of clothing, so don’t be too concerned that you won’t be able to wear your selections come next year. In any case, with the focus on cropped pieces for fall, you’ll find this fall’s jackets more affordable since they have less material. And with the variety of options that were churned out, you’re sure to be looking forward to chillier days.