The Art of Layering

Transitional seasons can be hot, cold, then hot again, making fall perhaps the most erratic season of all. An ever-changing climate is difficult for any wardrobe to keep up with, which is why layering is the ultimate saving grace from summer to winter. But avoiding bulk while keeping it chic is an art form so having the right essentials is, well, essential. Now is the time to stock up on foundational fall pieces to ensure a fashionable and functional wardrobe just in time for apple picking:

1. Tissue tees
   Light, absorbent tissue tees are the foundation of any fall wardrobe. Layer under a boyfriend cardigan, jean jacket or sweater coat and, when temps heat up, peel away the outer layer and drape it over your shoulders to stay chic while improving airflow. Amp up personal style even more by accessorizing with multiple strands of pearls that elevate your look, but not push it over the top.

2. Turtleneck
   Turtlenecks are to fall what t-shirts are to summer — the one-and-done basic you can’t live without. Early in the season, a turtleneck is all you need above the waist, so pair with a wide leg trouser or ankle crop jean and statement belt. As temps cool, layer up with a peacost or leather moto jacket. Also consider turtlenecks made in technical fibers that help retain body heat or, conversely, cool you down.

3. Pashmina wrap
   Every woman should have a pashmina wrap at the ready at all times. It’s compact enough to stow in a handbag, heavy-duty enough to do the job and versatile enough to transition from shawl to shrug to neck scarf to head scarf. Pair with anything day to night, week to weekend or casual to dressy. Pashminas are miracle workers and if you don’t already have a rainbow collection, invest in a new one each fall season until you do. You will have them forever!

4. Shacket
   Heavyweight like a jacket, but styled like a shirt, the all-purpose shacket is a mashup of form and function in a single garment. When dressing down, shackets are instant outfit-polishers keeping ‘sloppy’ at bay, plus are camouflaging for anyone wanting midriff coverage. Keep it casual with flannel or corduroy, or level-up your look with suede or leather. Avoid hip-length hems and instead opt for a cropped waistline or mid-thigh length shacket to maintain optimal proportions.

5. Puffer vest
   Not too cool, not too warm, puffer vests are the smartest, most high-performance fall essential of all. Try a micro-down, quilted maxi vest for a dressed-down weekday look with leather leggings or skinny jeans and a statement handbag. Keep it monochromatic but textured by shopping tone-on-tone geometric quilted patterns — diamond, hourglass, wavy or sunbeam stripes — to break up the block of color and add interest. Or channel your inner weekend warrior with a cropped, high-volume puffer vest and turtleneck for a sporty off-duty look that pairs effortlessly with jeans or joggers and an all-purpose utility tote. Voilà, the perfect apple picking uniform.

See BestLifeOnline.com press feature here.