Now that the summer heat has finally faded, the cool October days have found us reaching for our favorite layers. Nailing down those perfect pairings is a challenge that rolls around every fall, but fear not - we have new flannels, sweaters, and moleskin pants to keep the cold at bay and make the art of layering something you’ll look forward to for years to come.

First Layer: The Shirt

Twills are our go-to for cold weather dressing, and work well for any occasion and style. Fine twills are a classic option for the office or an everyday look - their breathable weave keeps warmth in when it needs too, and stays cool layered under your favorite mock neck. Brushed twills are one of the most classic fabrics for fall and winter, and we love to bend the rules when it comes to traditional flannel styling. Bold plaids and button-down collars pair perfectly with a well worn pair of our Franklin Moleskin pants for a casual look, but don’t be afraid to dress up a brushed twill by going with a more subtle pattern or solid color under a classic sweater or sport coat. Embrace texture and use it to liven up a more traditional style, or lend comfort to a casual weekend outfit.

Second Layer: The Sweater

Layering with a solid sweater gives you freedom to have fun with what’s underneath. If you love bolder colors and patterns, let them shine under your favorite Barnes V-Neck. These extra-fine merino wool sweaters are constructed with 12 gauge jersey for the perfect fit over your favorite casual plaid. Try the Navy Heather Ribbed Barnes V-Neck over the Erskine Plaid for a quintessentially cool weather look and pair it with nearly any pair of pants - you can’t go wrong with this color combo. Our Ashton sweaters are constructed from a cashmere wool blend and feature a half-zip that shows off our signature lowered-second button look effortlessly. Throw on the Grey Heather Ashton Half-Zip over a seasonal solid blue like the Woodbridge Brushed Cotton and wear it straight from the office to a weekend outdoors. If you’re partial to solids but want to venture into the world of fall plaids, embrace the button-placket Brewer Mock Neck that lets you choose how much shirt you want to show. As our most popular sweater, we like to pair it with plaids as much as we do a classic white or blue dress shirt - go with something like the Molina Plaid and The Blue Heather Brewer Mock Neck styled with the Stage Brown Franklin 5-Pocket Moleskin for a look that you can wear with versatility throughout the season. Our new lineup of textured sweaters add interest to any outfit and dress up a classic flannel for an elevated cold weather style. The Oatmeal Heather Whittington Crew gives a hint of vintage comfort to cold weather outfitting. Made of super 100s wool, this is the perfect crew neck to wear on its own or over a casual button-down. Speaking of crewnecks - our thermal knit Navy Middleton and ribbed Charcoal Heather Woodside Crew Sweaters feature accent panels on the elbow that give their simple silhouette a timeless feel and make the perfect layering piece under a fall jacket.

Third Layer: The Extras

Once you have a shirt-sweater layering base to work with, you can add a jacket or cold-weather accessory as you see fit. Throw on a Brown Heather Levens Sport Coat and Dusk Blue Caden Knit Tie over your favorite fine twill and Barnes V-Neck to add an extra layer that will keep you warm and looking sharp from day to night, or bundle up under a matching Navy Jennings Scarf and Hat for a weekend bonfire. For days that require an extra level of insulation, a wool coat like our Grey Heather Harding Overcoat is the perfect neutral additional to any outfit and will keep you warm with its detachable quilted vest. The combinations are endless, so use your outer layers for both form and function to highlight the thoughtfully chosen pieces underneath.

For more inspiration, see How We Wear It with our new Winter Collection pieces and bundle up!

October 20, 2016 — Kelly Murphy