What On Earth Do You Wear Today?

You'd be forgiven for not having a clue what to wear right now, as we walk the tightrope between an Indian summer, an autumn that doesn't know its backside from its elbow, and snide hints of a looming winter. In recent days, it has been freezing first thing in the morning, making warmth a commuter's prerogative, but by 2pm the sun is fully out, only for you to skip out of work at 6pm and into a deluge of rain.

If you work from home, then all power to you, King of Loungewear. But for anyone who needs to get to an office, the style conundrums are many, but not insurmountable. Mastering the art of transitional layering becomes essential for men who want to stay warm and stylish during the coming weeks. Successfully navigating this sartorial challenge requires a balance of practicality and style through smart layering.

The Foundation: Start with High-Quality Basics

Transitioning into winter with layers begins with a strong foundation. High-quality basics are your best friends during the colder months so ensure to elevate your collection of long-sleeved T-shirts and regular tees, choosing heavyweight cotton where you can. These pieces not only provide warmth but also serve as a canvas for building stylish, layered outfits.

Embrace the Power of the Shirt Jacket

Two versatile pieces that often go overlooked are the shirt jacket (or shacket) and the overshirt. Both ideal for transitional layering, a shirt jacket typically takes the shape of a regular blouson ie cropped to the waist, but is crafted from a heavy shirt cotton, meaning it can be worn over a t-shirt but also layered under a heavier coat when the temperature plummets. The same applied for the overshirt, which takes the silhouette of your typical shirt, but will often come in warm fabrics such as brushed cotton. Choose neutral or earthy tones for a classic look that will complement various outfits.

Mastering the Art of Layering

Effective layering in not a science but there are some pretty rudimentary steps to take in order to be perfectly set for whatever multi-polar weather fronts come your way. The base layer is simple: a high-quality white tee, either short sleeve or long sleeve as mentioned above, will do nicely, providing ample warmth, good moisture-wicking ability, and a good canvas to layer over and create contrast.

The mid-layer is where the magic happens, or at the very least where you can introduce different textures and fabrics to create depth and style. A crew-neck such as our Blenheim styles,or a rollneck sweater or cardigan can be excellent choices to add warmth without excess bulk. The cardigan is a great tool since you can wear it open and reveal all your tapestry of layers.

The outer layer does depend somewhat on the accuracy of your weather forecasting. On days that look particularly cold, then our Albion and Grandpa coats in rich wool fabrics are the perfect warm layers, and help to create a strong silhouette with plenty of texture. Warmer days are ripe for shorter silhouettes such as our Linfield bomber jackets or our Norton trucker jackets, both of which look great layered over a simple white t-shirt. Our Milford jacket is closer to an actually shacket. Constructed from 100% cotton, it's both warm yet lightweight enough to be worn as a mid-layer on cold days.

On days that are likely to be wet, then your outerwear needs to step up with some protective fabrics. Lightweight technical cottons treated with a water-resistant coating are excellent options for those who don't want to don waterproof techwear. Our Penpol fabric is a great option, being very lightweight and with zero bulk - we've used it to create a bomber jacket and a shacket, both very versatile urban garments.

Mix Textures and Materials

To make your layered outfits visually appealing, mix different textures and materials. Combining, for instance, a textural wool sweater with a corduroy jacket and cotton trousers can create a really sophisticated and intriguing look. The contrast in textures adds depth to your ensemble and keeps it from feeling flat and monotonous. The same goes with your choice of footwear. It's often the last element we think about, but our boots and shoes can also be instrumental in tying together your look, adding a touch of polish leather or textural suede to the mix.