In the words of Shrek (a one-liner ICON if we ever did see one), ogres have layers, onions have layers, and as it turns out, so do we as soon as the month of October hits and the weather cools enough to warrant a PSL before work every day. It’s called self-care, look it up.

Thin knits, gilets, turtlenecks, trench coats and hoodies, layering is an indecisive dresser’s dream, with the option to mix, match and marry up your fave pieces to create a curated cocktail of a look that exudes cool-girl chic. We’re stepping it up this season as the first autumn since 2019 when socialising is properly on the cards. Embracing trends such as shackets, collared polos, leather trench coats, the humble grandad vest and knitted co-ords galore to really step up the style game, inspire stares in the street and ‘omg where did you get that?’ comments over bottomless brunch.

It’s hard being as much of an autumn style icon as the cast of Gilmore Girls, but someone has to do it!

Zoe

When it comes to layering as the autumn months roll in, I love the transitional stage where you can still wear something typically “summery” but with a long sleeve t shirt or roll neck underneath and some chunky black boots to activate the autumn. I love a silk slip dress for this, and if you need some extra layering, throwing on a cropped oversized jumper always works well here too!

*ASOS, ASOS DESIGN ultimate turtle neck long sleeve top in white, £12 | *All Saints, HADLEY EPOTO SILK BLEND DRESS, £199 | *All Saints, BILLIE LEATHER BOOTS, £249 | *ASOS, ASOS DESIGN oversized sweatshirt in washed grey, £22

Charlotte

Now I have to say summer is my favourite season for dressing so I’m always a tinyyyy bit upset when the autumn rolls around, but as long as it’s still semi-warm enough for skirts without tights (aka the actual devil) then I can just about manage. I’m obsessed with everything Saturday by Megan Ellaby make and their amazing printed roll necks are a layering dream- if I could have one in every colour I seriously would.

Having said I don’t love cool weather dressing, I do have a bit of a thing for nice jackets and my coat collection is somewhat out of control, however, it doesn’t feature a trench so I feel like this needs to be my next purchase.

H&M, Faux shearling gilet, £19.99 | *I Saw It First, Khaki Maxi Trench Coat With Self Tie Belt, £75 | *ASOS, ASOS DESIGN knitted cami cropped jumper in black, £30 | Saturday, The Janey Blue Tiger Print High Neck Top, £40

Lareese

I live for autumn dressing! Give me all the layers, coats, knitwear and gilets over summer clothes any day. For between-the-seasons styling, you can still get the wear out of your dresses by layering them up with an oversized blazer or a collarless jacket and boots, then when it starts to get a bit chillier dial up your winter warmers and introduce your belted wrap coats and woolly textures.

*Marks and Spencer, Padded Collarless Puffer Jacket, £55 | *Mango, Textured cotton-blend dress, £69.99 | *Cos, OVERSIZED-FIT BLAZER, £135

Danielle

One of the best places to shop for layers that is often overlooked is Uniqlo. For me, they’re the OG basics brand and everything I’ve bought from there is always great quality and a really lovely shape. You can never go wrong with a mock neck long sleeve, which is like a turtle neck but not as restrictive and a bit more flattering. This can be worn over a vest and under a flannel or cardigan – which by the way, I think will be bigger than ever this winter.

*Weekday, Lash Extra High Mom Jeans, £40 | *Uniqlo, U HEATTECH COTTON MOCK NECK LONG SLEEVED TOP, £19.90 | *Uniqlo, HEAVY FLANNEL CROPPED FIT SHIRT JACKET, £34.90 | *Uniqlo, U SWEAT V NECK CARDIGAN, £34.90 | *Uniqlo, SOFT SOUFFLÉ YARN V NECK CROPPED CARDIGAN, £24.90

Darcey

I’m going for the ‘walking my dog in the countryside’ vibe today. I think a hoodie paired with a gilet is perfect for Autumn and the transition to cooler weather. Especially for someone like me who can be quite warm all the time, so a gilet is a perfect middle-man until the winter coats come out the wardrobe. This green gilet from ASOS is unreal, in my basket ASAP! I’ve paired it with some black leggings (I’m channelling muddy paws) and these chunky knee-high boots which look perfect for stomping around in and can definitely be worn with so many different Autumn/Winter looks.

*ASOS, ASOS DESIGN gilet puffer jacket in green, £38 | *Weekday, Oversized Hoodie, £30 | *Marks and Spencer, High Waisted Leggings, £9.50 | *ASOS, ASOS DESIGN Wide Fit Carla chunky flat boots in black, £40

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