How to Effectively Layer for Any Kind of Fall Trip

Even more important than picking the right cut or style, choosing the right fabric for your fall travel wardrobe will set you up for layering success. Your summer linens and thin cottons should probably stay at home—the real heroes of the season are fabrics that are both insulating and lightweight, such as cashmere and thermal knits, as well as heartier cold-weather staples like wool and denim.

Up to eight times warmer than traditional wool, cashmere is ideal for an autumn trip. However, this luxury textile is a known budget breaker. The heightened cost stems from the time- and labor-intensive process of creating cashmere, requiring wool from several cashmere goats to craft even a single garment. If you'd like to try cashmere, avoid some of the sweater-induced sticker shock by browsing the affordable options at Quince.

Merino wool offers an affordable but high-quality alternative to its cashmere cousin. Made from merino sheep's wool, this fabric is anti-static, smooth, and cool to the touch, and highly insulating despite its lightweight nature.

Standard wool is still a tried-and-true staple of the season. It's naturally insulating and more common than the specialty wools listed above, making it more affordable overall. To keep your wool cozy and warm (instead of unbearably itchy), wash with a wool detergent and hang to dry.

Also called waffle knit, thermal knits get their insulating qualities by trapping air warmed by the body in the tiny cells created by its grid-like weave. Thermal knits are frequently wrinkle-resistant, meaning they'll emerge from your suitcase ready to wear.

Initially developed as fabric for durable workwear, denim is now a staple in nearly everyone's closet. A quality sturdy denim is an ideal outer layer for fall, easy to pair with a variety of other fabrics, and able to withstand the fickle autumn weather.

A perennially popular fall pick, corduroy is one of the few fabrics for pants that is both warm and fashionable. Slightly dressier than denim, it is also typically available in iconic autumnal colors.

There are a variety of other specialized fabrics meant to keep wearers warm. The HEATTECH linen from Uniqlo offers shirts, sweaters, socks, and leggings in its titular ultra-thin but ultra-warm fabric. Thinsulate, commonly found in thin down-alternative jackets, is a hypoallergenic insulating material that provides warmth without bulk. Plant-based cotton alternative Tencel is eco-friendly and moisture-wicking, perfect for wearing beneath heavier outer layers in the fall.

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Thoughtful layering will keep you warm and stylish on your travels. When crafting your outfit itinerary, keep a few golden rules for layering in mind.

1. Layer light to heavy. Your tightest, lightest layers should go first, followed by your heavier, warmer layers.
2. Layer short to long. Your outer layers should be the same length or longer than your inner layers.
3. Layer tight to loose. Your outermost layers should allow plenty of room for your inner layers to maintain comfort and freedom of motion. Opt for wide-leg pants and consider sizing up in sweaters.
4. Experiment with silhouettes. Mix and match silhouettes and textures to add some dimension to your outfits. Add a turtleneck underneath a crew-neck sweater, or try a houndstooth coat over a smooth merino cardigan. This will add interesting depth as well as functional warmth to your ensemble.

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Here are a few closet staples to help you elevate your autumn layering game.

Shirts: You don't have to leave your T-shirts behind in summer. A plain long or short sleeve made from 100% cotton or Tencel fabric makes a great first layer, especially in the early warmer days of autumn. If you want to branch out, consider trying clothes made with sweat-protecting technology, such as this shirt, which regulates your temperature.

Sweaters: Sweaters are the cornerstone of every fall wardrobe. Tighter options like a rib-knit turtleneck are the perfect first layer, while looser silhouettes, like this loose V-neck from Old Navy, or bulkier cable knit options can easily be layered on top.

Cardigans: While cardigans fall definitively within the sweater category, they deserve their own shoutout. The humble cardigan's convenient front closure makes it an ideal second layer, easy to add or remove. For extra drama, try layering a duster cardigan beneath a long-line coat.

Vests: Puffer vests, such as this Wunder Puff Cropped Vest from Lululemon, keep your core warm while allowing your arms more mobility than a coat or jacket. While fashion vests, such as sweater vests or wool suit vests, won't provide much warmth, they will lend interesting visual depth to all your fall looks.

Jackets: A stylish denim jacket provides light warmth for early fall days. As the weather turns colder, transition to a lined jacket. The Astrid Lined Jacket from Kuhl is a medium crop and comes in three cozy colors. A fleece is always a great layer, like the Lightweight Synchilla® Snap-T® Fleece Pullover from Patagonia, sustainably made from recycled materials.

Coats: If traveling to a chillier destination, you'll need a heavier coat. This could mean a fully insulated winter jacket, like this thin but ultra-warm coat from Cotopaxi, or a more upscale option, like an ever-stylish peacoat. To maximize layering potential, try a three-in-1 jacket like this one from REI which provides a base, mid, and outer layer in a single coat. Finally, don't forget a raincoat for those rainy autumn days—Everlane has styles in men’s and women’s sizes.

Tights: A good pair of tights will extend the life of your summer skirts well into autumn and can be used as a base layer underneath clothes as it nears winter. Opt for tights designed to trap heat, like the HEATTECH Knit Tights from UNIQLO, rather than standard nylons. If you prefer sheer tights, fleece-lined tights mimic the look of nylons while still keeping you warm.

Undershirts: Similarly to tights, adding an undershirt base layer will boost the warmth of any outfit. The HEATTECH innerwear line has several options. You could also throw on a classic thermal knit, suitable under clothes or as a standalone shirt. IBEX’s GOAT short-sleeve crew is a fantastic lightweight wool base layer, available for men and women.

Hats: You can’t go wrong with a classic beanie. The Cozy Hour Beanie from Athleta is a stylish option that comes in eight colors. For an equally warm twist on the classic stocking hat, try the Mongolian Cashmere Beret from Quince. If your favorite fall hat doesn’t provide much protection against the elements, try layering it with a thin pair of earmuffs or an ear-warming headband. If rain is in the forecast, skip the umbrella or the plastic rain hood and try a stylish waterproof headscarf.

Scarves: A good travel scarf is the best accessory. We recommend a blanket scarf like the Dreamsoft Travel Scarf, which can double as a blanket in chilly airplane cabins.

Gloves: While gloves aren't always necessary for autumn, it's a good idea to have a pair on hand for frosty evenings or an unexpected drop in temperature. The Rho Glove from Arc’Teryx are excellent for transitioning from fall into winter. Wear them alone in autumn or layer them underneath thicker gloves when the cold weather sets in.

Shoes: Nothing is worse than freezing, damp feet while trying to enjoy a day of sightseeing. Your fall footwear should always be water-resistant. For everyday wear, the waterproof (and machine washable!) Vessi Weekend sneakers or the Wexford Waterproof Chelsea Boot from Ariat will do the trick. For active vacations, these waterproof boots from KEEN will keep you warm and dry while you hit the trails.

Socks: Warm socks are a must-have for autumn travel. Classic wool socks will do the trick on dry days. If there's rain in your vacation forecast, invest in a hearty pair of waterproof socks to layer with your waterproof shoes for double the protection.

Layering will look different on the top of a mountain versus the top of the Eiffel Tower. Layering for active travel in autumn becomes trickier, especially if your excursions involve significant elevation changes.

Remember this cardinal rule for hiking as the weather begins to cool down—start cold! If you plan to spend the day on an intensive hike, start with the fewest layers tolerable and add layers as needed. This prevents sweat from building up and later cooling down, potentially lowering your core temperature to a dangerous degree.

For active trips, look for base layers made from durable moisture-wicking fabric, like this long-sleeve merino base layer from REI. Bring along a pair of liner gloves and heavier waterproof gloves for higher elevations. Consider tossing an extra pair of wool socks in your hiking pack in case the first pair gets wet (or sweaty!).