Trending men's toppers: How to cover up in style this fall

All of a sudden, it's the time of year where we must put away our short shorts and tank tops and start to layer up. What eases the pain of having to cover up better than that new coat or jacket you actually, despite yourself, can't wait to put on. Here's a roundup of toppers that are totally on trend this season. This fall we're not reinventing the wheel, we're just spicing it up a bit.

Leather! Leather! Leather!

Is it me, or can you smell these photos? Leather statement pieces have always been, and always will be a classic staple in everyone's closet. But this fall, designers like Dunhill and John Lawrence Sullivan took it to another level. Thanks to them, you're going to start seeing leather on leather on leather out there — yes, I'm talking long leather coats, leather hats, and leather you like it or not, leather pants!

If leather pants aren't for you (still not over that Friends episode?), pick up a cool new jacket, like this faux-leather Members Only from Nordstrom. These jackets are a great '80s throwback, and the quilted lining is going to keep you warm on those cool fall evenings down by the drag strip.

Members Only Vintage Faux Leather Racer Jacket, $176, nordstrom.com

Puff, the magic jacket

The puffer jacket is actually magic, because it has somehow managed to stay on trend season after season. It keeps coming back with the help of designers like Moncler and Peuterey. In the coming months, you're going to see puffer jackets getting even bigger in size and shape — not ideal for those tiny aisles at the grocery store, but it's fashion, who cares.

If you don't want to hunt down a neon orange puffer, try something a little more sporty, like this North Face jacket from MEC. I love the '90s vibe it gives off. The North Face (yes, that brand you wore at the arena when you were 11) just became cool again, sparking collabs with brands like Supreme, Timbaland and Commes Des Garcons. Their puffer is made with warm goose down and has a nice-sized secret hood that you can pull out of the collar for those days when you want to hide from the pressures of society.

1996 Retro Nuptse Jacket, $350, mec.ca

Fire-safe fashion

Work uniforms doubling as everyday clothing has been growing on the fashion dudes since the recent popularity of overalls and the male jumpsuit. In 2018, the more you look like a delivery guy or the baggage handler on the airport tarmac, the more stylish you are. All of a sudden, firefighter's uniforms have started influence designers like Calvin Klein and Commes des Garcons. Neon fabrics and reflective stripes are showing up on everything from pants to bags. So stop, drop and roll your way to the nearest Mark's if you want to go full-blown fireproof.

If you want to try this trend in a more subtle way, try on the Construction Parka by Yeezy. It's oversized and the colour of the reflective strips are quiet modest, considering they were made by Kanye West.

Construction Parka, $380, yeezysupply.com

Take a hike

Probably the most practical trend of the bunch, hiking-chic is still going strong from last year. If you look like you're about to embark on a 10-day expedition into the wild, you're on point according to Hugo Boss, John Lawrence Sullivan and Junya Watanabe. Think layers, khaki, camo, lace-up hiking boots, big pockets, adjustable backpacks, windbreakers and sporty sunglasses. A rule of thumb: the more straps, the better.

I want to tell you how many pockets this Zara jacket has, but I lost count. It's has adjustable drawstrings at the waist and hem — keeping you safe while trekking through rough terrain, or fighting the crowds in the subway station on the way to work. Basically the same thing.

Textured Weave Parka with Pockets, $179, zara.com

Check this out

Plaid looks good on you all year round — but this fall, designers like Paul Smith, Dries Van Noten and Versace want you to pile it on like never before. If you're decked out in head to toe plaid, your eyes might get a little wonky, but you're going to look really cool. When layering your patterns, remember to use contrasting sizes and directions, but stick to common colours. (Use different shades of your base/dominant colour.)

I love this wool topcoat. It hits just above the knee, and the grey on grey glen plaid offers a nice, simple texture. The straight fit gives it a formal touch, making it appropriate for the office, and for solving mysteries in the Victorian era.

Textured Plaid Topcoat, $459, clubmonaco.ca

Brown is the new black

Brown is officially the colour of the season. It was seen on every runway from Hugo Boss to Berluti. If you've been taking notes so far, you'll see that brown is an easy colour to incorporate into many of the other fall trends. Go for a brown leather jacket, a sand-coloured windbreaker, a suede desert boot, or even a simple brown belt.

In the upcoming months, the next time you reach for something black, try a dark brown instead! It's such an easy color to wear and it looks great on everyone. Zara is killing it with outerwear right now, and this faux shearling coat proves it. Shearling is another huge trend you'll see this fall, and more retailers are starting to offer affordable, faux versions so people like me can clear them off the racks.

Double-Sided Three-Quater-Length Coat, $159, zara.com