Fall Layers: Nonchalantly Cool…and Even Concealing, which Never Hurts

With vests being such a great fall layer, we wanted to share one of our favorites that is more of a sweater/sweatshirt replacement - rather than an outerwear replacement, like our featured item is. The portrait collar looks great open, as shown, but zip it all the way and snap it for an adorable turtleneck look that we love, too. It’s more of a fitted and contemporary silhouette, not too long, so it works really well layered over a longer tee, sweatshirt, or slim sweater. This piece definitely supplies some warmth, too – the knit is quilted and downright cozy. It will look great with jeans or corduroys and your favorite boots, pumpkin latte in hand.

Here is the perfect piece to wear under that Splendid vest – and reflects the layering trend on its own as well, with a burn-out tee hemline poking out from under the sweatshirt ribbing. Get the stylish, easy vibe without having to do the work of ensuring your foundation layer is long enough and fitted enough, and with the right neckline so you can see it and not have any weird bunching. (phew.) MONROW does all the work for you…and it looks seriously great. The fit is contemporary, but easy, and their materials are so very soft - you will love putting it on on Saturday mornings. Add the Splendid vest as you head out the door for the Starbucks run or the kids sporting events. MONROW really is the resource for this look– their blue version and ivory/grey combos are just as effortlessly cool.

While we love jeans and corduroys, some days we’re just in the mood for something else. And leggings only work with longer tops. AllSaints has come to the rescue with the softest, and seriously comfortable skirt and legging combination. This looks like a skirt layered over leggings, but it’s just one piece. Brilliant! You don’t need to worry about your blacks matching, and you don’t have 2 waistbands to deal with (which can be tricky, if they’re not slim). Their fit is contemporary, and these are true to size. If you don’t love your legs (you should!), this longer skirt piece is amazing. And it opens up a world of top options – sweaters and sweatshirts that hit at the hip look great, but you can certainly wear longer pieces, too. They also do more of a true layered legging in black or charcoal. Pair them with a simple long sleeve tee, crewneck sweater, or sweatshirt to create the look of a longer layer under your top. The skirting also magically slims and conceals the hip area. The waistband isn’t tight or narrow on either of these pieces, so you won’t get muffin top.

Madewell has a stylish take on a sweatshirt dress by color blocking the sleeve to make it look like you are wearing a long sleeve tee under a short sleeve dress. Other than that, this piece is all about simplicity and comfort – and isn’t that just what we are about on a casual day? The dropped sleeve, sweatshirt hemmed bottom, and empire stitch offers some great detail. Wear it with a cool pair of sneakers and go have some fun.

Joe’s Jeans has been doing more than just jeans for quite a few years now, and their cool, casual vibe is apparent in this yummy cashmere sweater. The casual layer of black looks almost like a vest, and creates some beautiful contrast and interest at the collar and hemline, without feeling at all busy. This looks great with dark or grey jeans.

We always love the easy fit of Michael Stars knits. This reversible cotton sweater, with just a touch of cashmere, delivers in style and comfort. It is so soft. But what we really love is how the stripe comes through the solid side (click through the “shop it” button to see) and the hemline and sleeve cuffs reveal the reverse, no matter which side you’re showing off that day. So effortlessly stylish. It would be hard to find two tops that would lie so well together to create this look, and the easy fit will look great with any of your favorite jeans on an easy weekend day. If you’re taking a weekend trip to see some fall foliage, this is the perfect piece to pack. This grey color combination is fabulously neutral, and there is also a camel/grey combo that is pretty fabulous, too.

Leave it to Free People, iconic for their easy and “free” styling, to come up with the perfect layering cape-style sweater. You can wear anything under this piece – a turtleneck,  a thermal, a plaid or chambray button-down. The easy fit allows for a lot of options. It’s mostly cotton, so you won’t get too hot, but it has a bit of angora to give it a soft look and feel.

Nic + Zoe created a cardigan that looks almost like a shawl vest, thanks to its interesting stitch work. Lightweight with an easy fit and drape, throw this on over your favorite tank or tee with ponte pants or jeans. The fit is relaxed, in a large array of sizes, and the lightly ruffled hem styling perfectly skims over the hip and behind area – so flattering and concealing.

This week, we’ve talked a lot about pieces that look like they are layered and pieces that work great as layers over or under other pieces. Well, how about the option of buying a set of pieces that layer together for one comfy alternative to sweats or leggings? Neiman Marcus has done just that. In a relaxed fit and beautiful shades of blue, you get all the soft, lightweight knit pieces you see here – the tunic, the layered cardigan, and the easy pull-on pants. You can always mix-and-match with other pieces in your wardrobe, but they certainly look wonderful together.