Fashion can be fun for men and women alike. The menswear for fall and winter has me excited for new looks. I like to start with shoes first, since you can never have too many shoes.

A good pair of boots are a must have for the fall and winter seasons in Sacramento. The menswear this season is rugged mixed with clean-cut details. Men cannot go wrong with brown leather, wingtip lace-up boots that extend past the ankle. Barclay or felt desert boots with any neutral colors from brown to navy blue, to more loud colors such as a red or royal blue, are a style of boot that I like for men and women. Junior marketing major Marley Shimamura gave her fashion advice for men.

“Men should wear boots, cuffed skinnys with selvage showing and wear leather jackets,” Shimamura said. “Also scarves – accessories are just as important for men.”

Selvage is the part of your clothing that shows where it was sewn together, which typically has heavier threads.

I am really digging the menswear this season, but not just for the men. Women also look great in the men’s style and can play it up with more accessories and maybe some leggings or tights. When picking out your a new pair of boots for the winter, women should look to menswear for inspiration – the lace-up is great for any style. Women have more selection to choose from with the boot stopping at the ankle, just past the ankle, mid-calf or just below the knee. Shimamura expressed her love for boots.

“I’m a boots fan, whether it’s mid or to the knees,” Shimamura said. “I throw boots on pretty much everything, but when I dress professional I will wear Oxfords.”

Seng Bang, junior child development major, said she likes boots with wedges. Sara Ixta, sophomore business major, said she prefers flats.

“Flats are important because you can wear them with anything, dresses or jeans,” Ixta said. “The best place to go is Urban Outfitters because they have cheap ones, but they are up-to-date.”

Adam Sonnenberg, senior therapeutic recreation major, said he likes to wear his Adidas Sambas because they are waterproof, athletic and he can still go running in them.

For everyone, I think jeans this season should be darker washes of blue, or simple black jeans. Different colors of brown and navy blue chinos are great for pants as well. If you are wearing ankle length boots with your jeans, I suggest cuffing your jeans above your boots. Let some skin show, or show off gray or navy blue socks. Sonnenberg said he prefers jeans.

“You can’t go wrong with a nice pair of dark-colored jeans,” Sonnenberg said. “I like them slim but not skinny, kind of a straight leg, (but) not loose and baggy.”

If you are a woman daring enough to wear a skirt, dress or shorts this cold winter, then I suggest investing in patterned tights or solid colored leggings. Depending on your style, you can pair neutral-colored shorts, a skirt or a dress with loud leggings. Or flip that, and have the neutral-colored tights or leggings and bright colors with your pick of shorts or a skirt.

Ixta said she loves dresses, even during winter.

“I definitely wear a lot of dresses,” Ixta said. “Normally I just wear a dress with either bright tights or really calm tights and pair it with a sweater. I will wear a really long sweater that ends where the dress does, which is typically mid-thigh.”

Everyone should get long sleeved, button-up collared shirts. The color is up to you for your particular style, but I would go with a light denim-looking-blue button up, with brown buttons and rolled up sleeves. Plaids are always nice, and if the women want to leave the shirt unbuttoned, a fun graphic tee underneath is ideal.

Many people seem to feel that a leather jacket is a must for winter. Ixta said she owns a leather jacket that she will be wearing for the winter season. Sophomore pre-business major Charles Silas said he also likes leather jackets.

“I really like the leather jackets with the hoodies built in,” Silas said. “You can get them from Urban Outfitters.”

Junior child development major Jen Thao said a leather jacket is a must-have for the winter season.

I like sweaters that are pullovers with solid colors, with your shirt collar laying nicely over it. Of course, I am a big fan of cardigans as well. Silas said he is really liking cardigans as well.

“I like solid colors and stripes,” Silas said. “I want the ‘Charlie Brown’ design. Or for stripes, I like the fat, horizontal stripes.”

Accessories are vital to any outfit, regardless of season. Depending on your accessories, they can make or break your outfit. Scarves seem to be in this season. Bang said she likes to coordinate her scarves with her outfits.

“I like scarves that are plaid or one color,” Bang said. “Either all black or all white to match with other colors (of my outfit).”

Beanies are big this season, especially slouch beanies. Shimamura said she likes oversized slouch beanies.

“And I also like the ones that you can turn into a scarf that are double open,” Shimamura said. “I stick to neutral colors that are typically solid unless there is a really cool pattern.”

Watches are a hot commodity this season. Silas said he carefully chooses his watches depending on the occasion.

“It’s always nice to have a nice watch,” Silas said. “I think it says a lot about you. I like the classic look with more of a leather style. Or if I want a watch to match my outfit, maybe a loud, plastic watch to go with it. But to make a good impression -then a leather band watch. I’m looking for watches right now without any numbers on the face.”

Jewelry is another important accessory, for both men and women.

“I like weird accessories,” Ixta said. “I have a harmonica necklace, and I like my peacock earrings. I think my accessories change with winter because I wear longer necklaces.”

As for belts, Sonnenberg said he likes a classic dark brown to tan leather belt with a bronze buckle.

“…Though I may change up the buckle with something a bit more funky as opposed to a square or oval,” Sonnenberg said.

Courtney Owen can be reached at [email protected].