Written by Menswear Style in Tips & Advice on the 27th October 2016

You suffer the same problem every year. You’re just getting used to summer clothes, perfecting the tricky art of fashionably pulling off shorts, when autumn suddenly arrives. Before you can say pool party, you’re forced to pack the t-shirts away and turn once again to pullovers and coats. But, if you buy a whole new wardrobe each season in the pursuit of being stylish, then it’s time to make a change. The truth is, you don’t have to get rid of last year’s boots or ditch every shirt in favour of the latest colour or cut – when it comes to looking fashionable, it’s all in the details.

Stay on trend this season with a few carefully chosen accessories and grooming techniques – you’ll save your bank balance and you'll get to recycle all your favourite threads. Peek at our choice of the five easiest and most effective ways to upgrade your style in time for winter.

1: The return of the neckerchief 

Forget scarves – this year is all about the neckerchief. Worn loosely and casually, it graced lots of the Autumn/Winter runways in 2016, from Gucci to Valentino. Besides giving you instant style points, it also lets you add some interest to an otherwise dull look. Pick bright colours and subtle patterns, and if you pull it off with confidence, it’ll work for day or night.

2: Freshen up your aftershave 

Updating your fragrance is a subtle way of transitioning into winter, swapping the light citrus scents of summer for deeper, more sophisticated aftershaves that perfectly suit the darker nights. Take advantage of an online men's aftershave sale so that your experiment into new and unknown aftershaves doesn’t end up costing you a fortune.

3: Embrace checked patterns 

Checked suits are a big statement this season – they're certainly not for the fainthearted. If you want to channel this out-there look, add a touch of pattern with your accessories. Scarves, socks, a phone case – they’ll all let you tap into the checked trend at ease. This means you won't need to invest in an entirely new outfit that you’ll probably only wear for a couple of months.

4: Grow out your hair 

Long hair is back gentlemen. Whilst one of the trends for AW16 is super slicked back hair, the other end of the spectrum is grunge style shoulder-length locks. It’s great news for fans of a more relaxed look, but it's not as low-maintenance as you’d think. A warning to anyone considering it – unless you’re happy to face your boss with dripping wet hair, there’ll be no last-minute showers right before you run out of the door for work.

5: Add a finishing touch 

Hats are a quick way of updating your wardrobe whilst keeping warm as the temperature starts to drop. As always, you’ve got plenty of fashionable options to pick from this season. Felt fedoras in bold colours, wool caps, and cosy beanies. With a little effort, you’re sure to find an option to suit your unique personal style. And at least if you suffer any hair-growing disasters, you’ll be able to hide all the evidence.

We feature Neckerchief, Winter Aftershaves, Checked Patterns and Shoulder length hair in our guide to 5 Simple Ways to Upgrade Your Style This Winter.