While I’m still embracing full summer I’m starting to bring in a few fall elements to get me excited for fashions best season. I’m keeping to my fluid pants, casual shorts, tanks and tees, but starting to pair them with light layers, darker tones, a little bit of cozy texture and sometimes, a closed toe shoe.
The layers have to feel effortless. So many fall 26 shows layered 3 pieces- which in my opinion is too much. Nothing should feel bulk, like you have to tug at, or you ae stuffed in. These are all pieces that you can peel on and off easily, and more importantly, probably all items you already have in your closet.
Tee under Sweater Vest
This outfit really proves my point on layers you can wear all day without feeling hot. The sweater adds texture and the tee adds a layered look.
While both pieces work perfectly well on their own, together they have a much more directional, ’90s feeling.
Go for a slimmer T-shirt underneath so you’re not dealing with any bulk.
The Jenni Kayne pants are soft and fluid but have a little more weight than other satin pants I’ve tried- which makes them great to take into fall. They have a really nice hang to them.
Henley under Sweater
I think The Row lookbook image of this idea is living rent-free in many of our minds. The Row layered a Henley under a scoop-neck tee, under a V-neck sweater. I’d go a bit more simplified—three layers is a lot to wear. But I like the idea of taking two very basic, effortless items and stacking them.
This V-neck sweater sits at the perfect place for this idea— Not too high or low.
The Henley underneath adds a detail and layer without adding bulk.
Leave the Henley buttons undone, gives more of a relaxed look.
Also all great pieces to wear on their own.
Tank under Polo
I actually stumbled into this one because I had two places to go (and in LA 3pm is summer and 7pm is fall), so I wore the tank while it was hot, and brought the polo to throw on when it cooled off later.
Layer the tank so it shows at the neckline and underneath the hem.
I normally wear a polo done all the way up at the neck, having the tank underneath makes wearing it open feel more intentional.
This is probably the best example of how I want to dress right now: you have the layer “just in case”, but you’re not committed to it for the entire day.
Polo under Vest
I love this concept shown in &Daughter’s fall lookbook, but again with one less layer for real life. The most important styling note: keep it to monochrome, I tried with black and navy and didn’t quite work.
Go for a similar weight of vest and polo, if anything, the vest can be slightly thicker
I like that this perfect polo reads a tiny bit sheer- adds one more layer of dimension
Whenever you feel like you have a lot going on on top go for a monochrome bottom to balance things out. Feeling all navy these days.
Tee under Crewneck
Obviously a T-shirt under a crewneck is not groundbreaking. I think what makes it interesting is playing with the different weights.
This cream sweater from Jenni Kayne has that soft, fluffy summer evening sweater vibe that you can wear into fall/winter.
A midweight crewneck knit is always my summer go to layer- went for brown to bring in the fall elements.
A T-shirt under a long-sleeve tee works as long as the T-shirt underneath is slim , this Donni long-sleeve tee has a very soft drape to it so layers on top nicely.
And I can’t talk about lightweight knits without a mention to 44ome. I have been throwing on this lightweight crewneck on for every flight and many evenings. The short sleeve tee version is an equally perfect weight.
xo
ali
More reads here…
Copying that first outfit stat
Loving how you styled these pieces! x