'Transitional dressing' is an expression we hear often in the fashion industry to describe that difficult period when one season morphs into another. Right now, we're all looking over our collective shoulders at the last vestiges of summer and looking forward to the first signs of autumn. In real terms, that can mean mornings of faintly warm sunshine followed by hailstones in the afternoon; balcony bathing one day, and running for cover the next. It's why you need a flexible approach to dressing, one that focuses on lightweight layers so that you don't overheat on the good days, but are well prepared for the bad.
In a nutshell, that means layering effectively. So think tees and jerseys, shirts, overshirts, and lightweight jackets and blousons, the latter in waterproof or technical fabrics. You can easily add or remove the excess layers as and when the weather changes, while the technical outerwear is light enough that it'll cope with all temperatures.
The cotton layers do a great job of moisture-wicking when the weather takes a turn for the better, or if you're moving between indoors and outdoors frequently. Similarly, a lightweight cotton overshirt, such as our Mason and Treviscoe styles, or a cotton blouson like our classic Hythe jacket can prove a smart move on those days when you can guarantee dry weather.
For a smarter option, our unstructured cotton tailoring is another good option that you can wear over a crewneck jumper on chilly days. Wool and cotton blend fabrics are an excellent transitional option, since you get a good degree of insulation from the wool but with all the lightweight qualities of the cotton. Corduroy suiting is another excellent style that feels warm and cosy thanks to the tactile wales, and not to forget velvet too, which is woefully underused as a daywear fabric.
When it comes to countering wet weather in Autumn, the last thing you want to be wearing is a big thick overcoat because the temperatures just don't warrant it. Instead, you'd be much better off opting for a coat cut from a water-repellent cloth such as our Lambeth jacket in dry wax cotton. Riffing on traditional country field jackets, it is a fresh modern take on the classic and comes fleece lined for optimum warmth. Super versatile, the hint of military aesthetic gives it a masculine appeal. You can wear it with jeans, wool trousers, or even tailored trousers.