As fashion transitions from the soft breezes of summer to the crisp edges of FW25, layering becomes an art form. Between light linens and cozy knits, corduroy and suede, these four looks capture the nuance of seasonal change through tactile dressing.
Two womenswear and two menswear edits: The Layered Muse, The Soft Transit, The Rib & Relax, and The Cord Season, define how to approach this in-between period with poise, comfort, and quiet luxury.
THE LAYERED MUSE
When days still flirt with warmth but mornings whisper of chill, The Layered Muse finds harmony in contrast.
Start with The Row’s Seruni cotton-jersey T-shirt in a deep red, the epitome of minimalist refinement. It’s light yet structured, forming the perfect foundation under Loro Piana’s Parksville cashmere sweater in sky blue.
The tonal balance feels refreshing and serene, pairing beautifully with Brunello Cucinelli’s wide-leg jeans in soft indigo. Together, the proportions breathe: never too tight, never too heavy, ideal for the liminal weeks between August and October.
Accessories underscore the nonchalant polish: Gucci’s Beatrix tote in curved half-moon form adds architectural volume, while Toteme’s suede ballet flats bring supple comfort to the step.
The final layer is Dior’s oval DiorPacific sunglasses in caramel brown, channeling a whisper of cinematic nostalgia.
This look is a lesson in transitional layering that feels intentional, feminine, and ready for movement: from workday meetings to golden-hour walks.
THE SOFT TRANSIT
Where The Layered Muse leans painterly, The Soft Transit embraces tonal sharpness. Think of it as the modern minimalist’s uniform for in-between seasons, structured, quiet, and impeccably balanced.
Begin with Courrèges’ black cotton logo tee, sleek and subtly rebellious, tucked into Jacquemus’ De Nîmes black wide-leg jeans that frame the silhouette with casual authority.
Róhe’s off-white wool sweater drapes over the shoulders, its softness lending visual relief to the monochrome foundation.
Accessories elevate without overcomplicating: Loewe’s small Puzzle bag in multicolor leather introduces playful geometry and warmth; Tom Wood’s Ice hoop earrings add metallic restraint; and Birkenstock’s 1774 Maria suede clogs in black reimagine comfort as couture.
Together, these elements blend ease with sharp tailoring, a perfect reflection of today’s hybrid working rhythm, where morning coffee runs and client calls exist in the same fluid aesthetic.
THE RIB & RELAX
When layering calls for quiet sophistication, The Rib & Relax offers a blueprint. Orlebar Brown’s linen-blend T-shirt lays the breathable groundwork; crisp yet relaxed.
Over it, Aime Leon Dore’s ribbed merino wool zip-up in cream introduces texture and warmth, uniting casual comfort with heritage sensibility.
Dries Van Noten’s wide-leg denim anchors the look with proportion and fluidity, nodding to the revival of relaxed tailoring in menswear.
What completes the ensemble is a study in restraint: Bottega Veneta’s intrecciato leather belt adds understated luxury, mirrored by the label’s Orbit Flash suede sneakers in chestnut brown, elevated but not overdone.
This is transitional menswear at its most effortless: fabrics breathing, silhouettes flowing, and textures subtly in dialogue. A look for the man who values ease without sacrificing precision.
THE CORD SEASON
The name says it all: The Cord Season celebrates tactile depth as temperatures drop. Auralee’s forest-green cotton-corduroy blouson serves as the hero piece: structured yet soft, it introduces texture and warmth without heaviness.
Beneath it, Aime Leon Dore’s Musician printed cotton tee injects casual narrative, balanced by Prada’s brown straight-leg jeans, a polished approach to utility.
Layer in Our Legacy’s brown calf-hair belt for an organic accent, and ground the outfit with Asics’ UB10 Gel-Kayano 20 sneakers in muted green, a masterclass in function meeting form.
The overall palette echoes the season’s shift: earthy, grounded, and confident. This look bridges work and leisure with tactile refinement, perfect for transitional days when the air cools just enough to make texture feel like luxury.
In the end, transitional dressing isn’t just about adding layers, it’s about recalibrating balance.
Light meets dense, structure meets drape, matte meets shine. From Loro Piana’s whisper-soft knits to Auralee’s corduroy calm, these four looks prove that between seasons lies the most exciting space in fashion, where every texture tells a story.
