How to Add Comfortable Layers when the Weather Cools Down

Labor Day’s almost here, and that means just one thing: fall is coming. Sure, it might not seem that way yet, but as the days grow shorter and the classes come to session once again, it’s going to cool down a little bit…and that means your wardrobe is going to have to change with the weather.

We know what you’re thinking. “Great. I just figured out this whole ‘summer fashion’ thing, and now the rules have completely changed. Now what?” If that sounds like you, don’t worry: adding a layer or two to your wardrobe isn’t as complicated as you think. In fact, you still have some time to wear your favorite summer clothes before autumn proper rolls around—and that gives us time to consider what layers you can slowly add to your wardrobe, sorted by your favorite summer clothes. So let’s break it down and give you some real options based on what you wore this summer.

If you wore a lot of T-shirts this summer…

…then you’ll want to switch them out for something with longer sleeves. The most obvious casual alternative? A long-sleeve T-shirt. But there are a few other options to consider here, most notably button-down long-sleeve shirts. Shirts like the Authentic Madras Navy edition you see here can be surprisingly casual while still keeping you plenty warm. You can even pair them easily with shorts if you’re not sure you want to give up on your summer wardrobe just yet.

If you wore a lot of polo shirts this summer…

…then the collar going with a Seersucker shirt. No, these aren’t long sleeves, but the shirt provides a much better collar for layering later on when you add something like a sweater—and since you aren’t doubling up on the sleeves, you’ll find a sort of “happy medium” between one layer and two layers. That’s perfect for the early transition between summer and fall.

If you wore a lot of long-sleeve button downs this summer…

…then you can simply make the transition to pants instead of shorts while the weather cooperates. Should the temperature drop more substantially, it might be time to add a sweater to the mix; combined with button downs, these sweaters really have a dynamic “layered” look that’s far more effortless to pull off than it looks.

If you wore nothing but shorts all summer…

…then it’s time for you to embrace tweed season in full and don a pair of Military Tweed pants. These pants should actually be your first added layer of fall, as these pants are comfortable to wear even when the thermometer’s still not sure whether it’s fall or still summer and gives you a day with an entire range of temperatures.

Adding a layer to your wardrobe doesn’t have to be a major life-changing event; it can simply be a matter of acquiring a few shirts, switching to pants instead of shorts, and feeling just as comfortable on Labor Day as you did on Memorial Day. Shop the full collections at Vintage 1946 today!