Fall for Fashion: Timeless Watches to Complement Your Autumn Look
How watches complement your autumn wardrobe
Autumn, also known as fall, is one of the four temperate seasons that we all live with every year. In Asia, it is the beginning of the “Ber” months that marks the beginning of the holiday season, while in Europe and the Americas; autumn marks the transition from summer to winter. The transition from warm to cold weather also marks the season of harvest, and for many western cultures marks the time for annual harvest festivals, often the most important festival in most cultures, the festivities of which typically feature the singing of hymns and prayers, and the decoration of churches with baskets of fruit and food.
But no matter where you are in the world autumn is the season when the days start to become shorter and the temperature starts to cool. And while there is no significant change in color of foliage in Asian countries, it is entirely different in the west where the leaves of many tress and plants changing color from green to various shades of yellow, red, orange, brown and even purple in preparation for shedding during the winter months.
It is this last “transition” that preoccupies us today. As we’ve stated, the shift of warm to cooler weather in nature is accompanied by a change of brighter colors to more somber ones, specifically to red, orange, brown and yes, even purple. More crucially, this change in color is most definitely reflected in society as well, with fashion also changing with the season and going from the bright colors of summer to the darker and more somber colors of autumn. This means that the relaxed, more casual and bright colors that people wore during the summer give way to the darker, formal and more elegant colors that people wear during the fall/winter months. The same goes for the accessories and the watches people wear.
Timepieces are no longer just about “telling the time,” they’ve become fashion accessories as well. In the extreme, they are either about simply matching your daily outfits or they are symbols of elegance and taste. On one hand, timepieces are definitely a marker of status and professionalism. While on the other, a timepiece is simply there to complement or represent the daily mood and outfit of an individual.
According to Ambrose Leung of Hybebeast, “We are witnessing a new resurgence in the popularity of mechanical wristwatches.” And it’s not so much for their horological value, but because they… well, simply look good. This is why some watches seem to wear better during the summer, while some are better suited for the spring. The fashion of the fall/winter season, however, is marked by heavier coats and dressier outfits not only to better combat the colder weather but also to better suit the holiday festivities. This is why some of the best watches to wear during this time have traditionally been dressier and more elegant.
Bulky and “rugged” watches will always be better suited with casual outfits and will probably look out of place in a formal setting. Sleek and elegant watches, on the other hand, will always be better suited with formal attire. This is the power of the wristwatch, which like a belt, is a small accessory that can either make or break you’re entire ensemble. And since wristwatches come in many forms and sizes it’s important to consider the different factors when it comes to matching the “right” watch to the type of outfit, not the least of which is the style, color, and materials of the watch.
Formal wear demands accessories (which in our case are wristwatches) be made of matched with leather straps in classic colors like black, brown, or tan. These “dress” watches are typically sleek, minimalist, and elegant, with a thin case and a simple dial. They are perfect for formal occasions and can be worn with suits, tuxedos, or dress shirts. Indeed, a dress watch with a leather strap and a classic design will complement any formal attire.
Then there are luxury watches that more often than not come from high-end watch brands. These watches are often associated with formal occasions and come in various styles, including dressier variants, chronographs, and timepieces with classic designs. As usual, they are typically made with premium materials such as precious metals and high-end composites, and are considered investment pieces that can be passed down through generations. Most importantly, the colors and materials of these classically-styled watches are almost always darker and more somber and are perfect for the darker and more somber colors of autumn.