-By Michael Macko, Details Fashion Director

This season, two of my favorite iconic styles are coming together in the form of Big Sur fashion. One-half Dead Poets Society and one-half Kelly Slater, this Northern California beach look is not as colorful and precious as the classic New England preppiness and not as sun-bleached and low-slung as classic surf style.

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The geographical origin of the two-for-one look is the sparsely populated stretch of California coast that starts 120 miles south of San Francisco and ends 245 miles north of Los Angeles.

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Big Sur has long attracted writers and artists, including Henry Miller, Hunter S. Thompson, and Jack Kerouac, who spent a few days there in the early sixties and wrote a novel in tribute to his clearly very memorable experience.

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And musicians have written odes as well. On their 1973 album Holland, the Beach Boys devoted a trilogy of songs called "California" to the region, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers sang its praises in their 2000 single "Road Trippin'."

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In terms of style, there are plenty of ways to adopt the buttoned-up, beachy vibe of the area, but nothing says "I know the seasons are changing, but I'm not giving in without a fight" like a pair of corduroy shorts. (The ones shown here are from Rugby.)

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Next throw on a snap-front, Western-style shirt. Instead of the standard-issue pattern, though, reach for an autumnal ombre plaid from Pendleton. The snap-front is becoming increasingly popular—a trend I see continuing for a few seasons.

Photograph by Michael Macko

The perfect mix of California-surf cool and autumnal warmth is these fleece-lined slip-ons from Vans in my favorite color, dachshund. They are by far the most comfortable shoes around and the closest thing to wearing your slippers out of the house.

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Of course, you can't do Big Sur style without sunglasses. These are an upgrade of the classic Ray-Ban Aviator, called Ultra Aviator. They are plated in 22K gold, and are being produced in a limited edition of 25,000 to celebrate the glasses' 70th anniversary.

Photograph by Michael Macko.

Finally, top it all off with a modernized Baja pullover from NSF, a line that epitomizes the West Coast vibe but with updated fabrics and silhouettes. Instead of a Spicoli knit that scratches your face every time you take it off, this one's in softer cotton.

Photograph by Michael Macko

And if you can't head west or wear corduroy shorts to the office, go with one of Jonathan Adler's candles. His Big Sur scent blends crisp bergamot, rich vetiver, and warm cedarwood and nutmeg. It will give you the sensation of being relaxed on a beach at dusk—but not covered in sand.

Photograph by Michael Macko