Autumn Outfit Ideas: How to Layer for the In-Between Season

Words by Sophia Miller

Wait, what’s a jacket again? After this summer’s non-stop heatwaves, a dip in temperatures will come as a relief to many – but after four months of shorts, swimwear and sandals, you might be looking for a little refresher when it comes to dressing for autumn. Just remember: transitional dressing isn’t rocket science. It relies on a few simple, good-quality staples, a smart approach to layering and accessories that add personality. Listen carefully – class is in session.

Layering for autumn is far from groundbreaking – it’s something our ancestors have been doing since the dawn of time. But now that we’re wearing cashmere cardigans rather than animal pelts, you may as well learn the fashion-editor-approved rules. Here are our four commandments.

1. Start with lightweight materials and work up to chunkier knits and jackets to avoid bulk.

2. Don’t be afraid to layer items you wouldn’t typically wear with each other – think a jacket under a coat, a T-shirt with a shirt, or a dress over trousers. This shows personality and adds visual interest as well as warmth.

3. Vary textures to break up the eye – even if your whole look is the same colour, the contrast between jersey and knit, or leather and denim, makes all the difference.

4. Don’t forget the accessories. When it gets chilly and you’re covered up with a coat, a good scarf or bag is your chance to show some fashion nous.

The perfect capsule wardrobe is a bit of a fashion fairytale – nice in theory, but too formulaic for some. No matter how maximalist your aesthetic, though, there’s something to be said for a well-curated edit of staples that can be mixed, matched and layered in different ways. Print, colour and texture are all welcome here – in fact, more is more was a mainstay of the AW26 runways – but it’s these staples that make statement pieces wearable in the everyday. Here are just a few of our fashion editorial team’s favourite pieces, and some clever ideas for how to wear them. Boring? Never.

First, enter the undisputed hero of every transitional wardrobe: the trench coat. Not too warm, not too lightweight and able to stand up to rain showers, it’s the practical piece that even the most aesthetically minded can get on board with. Just make sure you choose one that’s roomy enough to fit the requisite layers underneath.

We’ll be kicking and screaming before you prise us away from our denim – and for good reason. It’s the staple that really does work with everything, all year round, and for almost all occasions. You already have your favourite jeans, but why not try eking out your summer denim favourites as we move into autumn?

Say what you want about cooler weather – it’s hard to turn your nose up at a good knit. The smartest approach to autumn layering is one with a light touch, so leave your chunkiest pieces for the depths of winter and start with merino-wool roll necks, cashmere cardigans, knitted vests and capes that can be mixed, matched and worn together.

The T-shirt is an underrated styling staple if ever we’ve seen one – a sliver of white under a crew-neck jumper breaks up the visual weight of an outfit like nothing else. As for new ways to style yours? Well, keep reading.