“A good trench is the kind of coat that works year-round, whatever the weather throws at you, thanks to its lightweight yet rainproof design and the ease with which it can be layered up and thrown on,” writes the style journalist Sophie Robyn Watson. Read her tips and tricks for this pillar of outerwear here. And of all the trench coats in all the menswear outlets in all the world, we have a selection worthy of Humphrey Bogart himself here at MR PORTER.

Writing for MR PORTER, The Guardian’s senior fashion Lauren Cochrane called our present day “the age of the cardigan”, citing the likes of Paul Mescal who have made this knitwear their own. What’s more, Cochrane believes that, if harnessed correctly, this humble piece can become the backbone of many smart-casual looks. “Once you discover the cardigan, a collection is only a matter of time.” Which leads us to the array of options on site, from V-necks to shawl collars, hewn from cashmere, merino and even silk blends.

You’re a man of many layers. And, this season, at least one of those should be a flannel shirt. Worn with a tee as an overshirt or under a jacket, it’ll easily slot into most off-duty outfits. More than a bit of warmth, though, the right piece can add a pop of colour or texture to a look. In plaid, it’s an easy way to dip into pattern. And colloquially known as a lumberjack shirt, it’s typically built for the outdoors and will take a beating.

The Henley began life as a base layer for rowers, designed for breathability and ease of movement – the name is a nod to Henley-on-Thames. But its collarless neck and button-up placket soon earnt it admiration from beyond the riverbank. In waffle-knit fabrics, it became synonymous with workmen and cowboys in the American West. It “now sits alongside crew necks and polos in the pantheon of everyday T-shirts, but its macho, outdoorsy edge sustains,” writes Charlie Teasdale. A foundational piece, you could even dress it up with a blazer.

“A field jacket is a military garment at heart and I think of the M-51-style jackets, which were made during the 1960s for the Vietnam War,” says Benedict Browne, Style Director at MR PORTER. (The later M-65 gave soldiers further protection in heavy rain.) “Big patch pockets with flaps, adjustable cuffs, stand collar, removable liner… They eventually made it into the mainstream thanks to the likes of Robert De Niro.” Know who else would look good in the mirror wearing one? Yeah, we’re talkin’ to you.

“Yes, the name says weekend, but this piece of kit will do double duty in the week, too,” says Emma Pradella, Brand Partnership & Marketing Editor at MR PORTER. And as well as holding down several jobs at once, this bag can be twice the size of your regular carrier. “Spacious enough for a change of gym kit on the days you manage to squeeze in a session before or after work, and just as ready to take you straight from your desk to wherever you’re headed for the weekend,” Pradella adds. “The secret is finding a shape that’s both functional and considered.”

More than most things we wear, our jeans tell a story. Constructed from hard-wearing denim and traditionally held together with rivets – although those are likely decorative these days – they are built to last. In a straight-leg guise, they’ll go anything. But also, over time, they become authentically yours. Wear and tear begin to show, the dye takes on a patina and the stiff cotton slowly moulds to your movement and body. Choose wisely and a good pair of jeans become a journal of what you do in them. (Read our dep dive into jeans here.)

“I wear several different pairs,” the writer, creative consultant and podcast host Chris Black told us. “Black leather from The Row, along with other versions in black and brown suede. They are so versatile, working with shorts, jeans, even a casual suit. My mum put me in them when I was kid – everything comes back around.” Introduced as a means of staying put on a ship’s deck, this nautical footwear was adopted as part of the preppy Ivy uniform once it alighted on dry land. It’s a nimble shoe that will also go with most get-ups. (And Black’s mother would approve.)

“The drape on a pair of pleated pants… evokes a bygone time when guys really knew how to dress themselves,” writes the fashion journalist Ashley Ogawa Clarke. “Have a gander at old pictures of Clark Gable and the Duke of Windsor for high-waisted wide-leg inspiration, as well as proof of the look’s timelessness.” The racks here at MR PORTER are also worth perusing. For a classic piece that has the power to elevate an entire outfit, try thinking from the waist down.

Whether you have to wear one every day or you’ve been invited to a wedding or formal event, a suit has the potential to be the most reliable piece in your wardrobe. A classic two-piece will never be wrong but consider a navy blazer that can be broken up with pleated trousers. And don’t sleep on patterns to inject a touch of character to your tailoring game. And look to our in-house brand, Mr P., for some of the best tailoring out there.

“It doesn’t matter where you’re heading, paying extra attention to your footwear is crucial as it can have a real impact on how your day pans out,” writes David Hellqvist, the author of Blue-Collar Modernism. “And one of the most important items on your shoe rack? Your hiking boots.” Offering a sturdy grip thanks to commando soles and better protection from the elements, lace-up boots are made with autumnal adventures in mind. Where will yours take you?