In autumn the same outfit can be too cold outside and too warm inside. Layers solve that practically: start with a thin base, add warmth with a cardigan or fine knit and choose a coat that suits wind and rain. The advantage is not in a fixed number of layers, but in the fact that you can easily take something off or put it back on along the way.
Why layers work better than one thick sweater
Between a cold bike ride and a heated office there can be a big temperature difference. With several thin layers you can respond to that more easily than with one heavy garment. The coat comes off, the cardigan can be open or gone entirely and the base layer stays on.
The three layers
- The base layer. This is what lies against your skin: a blouse, shirt or fine T-shirt. Choose a fabric that feels pleasant and does not cling.
- The middle layer. This is, for example, a fine-knit cardigan, a thin sweater or a light knit. Choose something that fits over the base layer without pulling.
- The outer layer. A coat, trench coat or tailored jacket. This layer keeps out wind and rain and determines the silhouette.
What do you wear at which temperature?
The table below is a guideline. Wind and rain make it colder, so go by how it feels rather than just the number.
| Temperature | Base layer | Middle layer | Outer layer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 degrees and above | Blouse or shirt | Optional: cardigan over the shoulders | None or a thin jacket |
| 12 to 16 degrees | Blouse or shirt | Fine-knit cardigan or polo | Thin jacket or trench coat |
| 8 to 12 degrees | Blouse or shirt | Polo or cardigan in wool | Wool coat or warm jacket |
| Below 8 degrees | Fine undershirt under blouse | Knitted sweater or wool blend | Warm coat, scarf, gloves |
For Women: how to build the layers
Start with a blouse that you can also wear without a coat. The Delphine tailored blouse with princess seams in shadow blue consists of 35% bamboo, 30% microfibre, 30% polyester and 5% elastane. Thanks to the princess seams it fits close to the body, so there is little volume under the cardigan. Wear the Veronique fine-knit lyocell cardigan in light blue over it, which stays thin with 100% lyocell and still gives an extra layer. As the bottom half, the Arabelli high-waist trousers with pleats in black suit well. The high waist keeps the blouse nicely in the waistband and prevents the blouse from bunching.
Then add a coat in a colour that suits your base. A beige or navy coat with a light blue blouse and black trousers gives an even palette.
For Men: how to build the layers
For Men, the Hamilton shirt in light blue stripes can form the base. Wear a fine-knit wool cardigan over it such as Maximilian in beige. Thanks to the regular-fit shape, this is more logical as a middle layer than a slim-fit polo over a shirt. The Ulysses herringbone trousers in taupe grey match light blue and beige calmly in colour. Then choose the coat based on the weather and the room you need over the cardigan.
Four rules for layers that work
- Work from light to heavy. Each layer is slightly thicker than the previous one, so the outer layer falls over the rest.
- Check the lengths together. An underlayer may be visible, but does not have to be. Look above all at whether the layers bunch up at awkward points.
- Keep the colours manageable. A limited palette makes combining easier, but there is no fixed maximum.
- Mind the sleeves. A sleeve that is too roomy bunches up in the next sleeve and creates a bump. Always try your shirt and your cardigan on together.
How to avoid sweating in them
Layers only work if the individual pieces are also comfortable on their own. So do not choose a middle layer that you must keep on all day because the base layer does not work on its own. The coat is naturally the first layer that disappears indoors.
A day in layers
Say you leave at eight o'clock at ten degrees, work all day in a heated office and go to a restaurant at the end of the afternoon. You start with your blouse or shirt and a cardigan or polo, and take a coat. On the way you wear everything. At the office you hang the coat away and leave the cardigan open. At lunch you take the cardigan off if it is warm indoors. For dinner you put the cardigan back on and pick up the coat. Each layer is thin, fits under the next and can go without the outfit falling apart. That is the whole idea.
What to look for in the shop
With a new layer, always check whether it fits over the other. So try it on with the clothing you normally wear with it. You then see straight away whether a coat over a cardigan still gives room to move, or whether the sleeves become tight. You will find more choice at blouses for Women, knitwear for Women, shirts for Men and trousers for Men. If you are looking for an outer layer, see coats and jackets.
Shop the look
Delphine: tailored blouse with princess seams, shadow blue
Veronique: fine-knit lyocell cardigan, light blue
Arabelli: high-waist trousers with pleats, black
Hamilton: cotton shirt with Italian collar, light blue striped
Maximilian: fine-knit wool cardigan, beige
Ulysses: slim-fit herringbone trousers, taupe grey
Frequently asked questions
How many layers is enough in autumn?
That depends on temperature, wind, activity and how quickly you get cold. A base layer, middle layer and coat are a practical starting point, not a fixed rule.
How do I prevent looking bulky with layers?
Choose layers that together give enough room to move. Especially at the sleeves and shoulders you quickly notice when there is too much volume stacked up.
Which colours work best?
Start with one base colour, for example navy or grey, and add a light shade, such as white or light blue. A warm shade like brown or burgundy finishes it off.
Can I return clothing if the layers do not fit?
If a combination does not fit well over each other, see the current conditions on our returns page.
