The Art of Layering

Autumn can be an incredibly beautiful season. The natural world shares its final burst of abundance, the final harvests ripen, and the leaves turn incredible golden tones. It is a time to pack away lighter weight summer clothing in favour of warmer layers as the days become crisper. Embracing seasonal living is about noticing these small moments and appreciating the changes that the new season brings.

But autumnal weather can be anything but predictable. Often, it can be very changeable, even in the space of a single day. The art of layering is the secret to dressing well during the transitional months. Autumnal layering is not only a stylish but also a practical way to create an adaptable outfit suitable for sharp changes in temperature.

As temperatures start to dip, intelligent layering that utilises and enhances the natural properties of different yarns will keep you feeling warm and comfortable or prevent you from overheating. Discover how to master the art of layering this autumn.
 

 
A Breathable Base

Your first layer should be worn close to the skin, and it is essential to choose a breathable fabric. Our knitted t-shirts, made from ultra-fine Indian-grown and spun cotton, create an ideal skin-friendly base over which you can layer chunkier knitwear. Or opt for Italian-spun extra fine merino for enhanced insulating properties. This incredibly lightweight yarn feels luxuriously soft and is extremely warm, trapping air close to your skin and protecting you from wind chill on cold days. Merino is renowned as nature's performance fabric, thanks in large part to its thermo-regulatory properties. These allow merino to adapt to your body's temperature, keeping you warm on cold days or cooling you down if the temperature rises.
 
 
Chunky Midweight Layers

For your second layer, choose a chunkier yarn, like our midweight knitwear, that will add extra warmth. On warmer autumnal days, these midweight layers can be wrapped around your shoulders, allowing you to add a touch of warmth when you need it. Our versatile chunky cotton cardigans and fisherman jumpers, with their incredibly tactile deep rib knit, create a comfortable, skin-friendly layer that offers a touch of warmth for the autumn months. With a reassuring weight and available in a range of relaxed or fitted styles, our chunky cotton knitwear is made using Indian-grown and spun cotton. To reduce their carbon footprint, we knit these in our family-owned and operated factory in India. Or, for chillier autumn days, choose our cosy British lambswool. Spun in Yorkshire by Z Hinchliffe & Sons (Est. 1766), only the shortest, finest fibres are selected during the spinning process, resulting in a beautifully soft and fluffy handle. Lightweight yet incredibly warm, our British lambswool makes the perfect midweight layer for colder autumnal weather.

Knitted Jackets & Blazers
 
During the autumn months, our unlined knitted jackets and blazers make the perfect final layer. These effortlessly stylish jackets are an easy way of adding the final touch to your outfit. Our boxy men's workshirt takes inspiration from heritage workwear to create a practical chore jacket style layer that can be worn buttoned or layered over a lighter-weight jumper. Made from midweight cotton, we created a sturdy, machine-washable overshirt that is both durable and comfortable for everyday wear, adding natural buttons for a timeless look.

Knitted using a full Milano stitch, we created a sturdy yet practical, machine-washable cotton fabric for our knitted outerwear. Designed by master tailors, we created an impeccable cut for our deconstructed knitted blazers. We paid attention to the small details adding Italian-made natural buttons, patch pockets and buttoned inside pocket. Available in both our menswear and womenswear collection, these versatile tailored jackets are unlined for ease of layering.