Hybrid Layers For AW18

There are many reasons to applaud October’s arrival: the gold, red and brown colours that litter trees and pavements; fireside Sunday roasts at cosy pubs; and the thrill of breaking out knitwear again. But for all its triumphs – and there are many – it can be a trying task to properly layer (yes, the “L” word) at this time of year. While we hate to put forward such a horrendously basic question: just what do you wear when it’s not yet cold enough to warrant an overcoat?

The Trainer Jacket

Meet the hybrid jacket. “Hybrid”, you ask? Bear with us. According to the dictionary, hybrid is defined as “a mixture of other things, especially two things” and our menswear team have applied that to a clever collection of garms designed specifically with this time of year in mind. Whether you favour a quilted jacket or are inclined to something with a little more sartorial savoir-faire, these unique pieces will keep you temperate during those mild autumnal days.

The Sandringham Cardigan

When a cardigan doesn’t quite cut the mustard as an adequate layer, a functional zip-up offers a– and practical take on autumnal dressing – especially one where there’s an element of sleek design, such as contrasting sleeves. A major draw of the zip-up is its versatility: it will go with just about anything. Easy to add or remove, it’s light enough to wear over a chunky knit without overheating.

While wool as a fabric is often best lent to the overcoats you’ll rely on when the temperature really starts to drop, that should not mean it’s completely irrelevant for now. Look to a shorter-length, almost-overshirt-like style as the perfect companion for days spent at the park followed by a hearty Sunday roast.

For a layer that’s more work than play, a gilet (formerly the bodywarmer) has made a remarkable return as a streamlined wardrobe asset. The companion of the sharply tailored modern working man, the two seemingly contrasting pieces (the formality of a double-breasted blazer and the more sports-luxe-orientated gilet) create sartorial harmony together, giving a potentially stiff look a more softened touch. And it’s super practical, too (have you ever tried to wear an overcoat with a blazer?).

The Drake Gilet

Texture and fabrication are key to your outer layers for October weather and it’s worth keeping that all-important “V” word in mind: versatility. From a design perspective, combining the practicality of quilted protection with the timely appeal of knitwear makes for a smart, transitional-friendly staple. And much like other jackets of this calibre, it’s a hard-working one that will serve you well over the coming weeks (and future seasons), easily adapting to suit your formal and casual wardrobes.