Wear the Look: British Autumn Layers

For this look, start with a textured knit from Wax London, add a relaxed Universal Works jacket, and keep the trousers and footwear straightforward. Brown, olive and dark denim give the outfit enough colour without making it difficult to wear.

Start with the knit

A collared knit sits somewhere between a shirt and a jumper. It gives the outfit shape when worn alone but remains comfortable beneath a jacket. Brown is an easy starting point for autumn, particularly alongside olive, charcoal, navy and indigo.

Texture makes a difference here. A brushed or softly knitted surface adds warmth to the look without relying on a bold print. The Wax London collection at Unit 17 includes knitted polos and other textured pieces that work well as the first visible layer.

Fit matters as much as colour. The knit should have enough room to move comfortably under a jacket, without so much excess fabric that it bunches around the waist or sleeves. If you plan to take the jacket off during the day, choose a knit you would happily wear on its own.

Add a jacket with room to move

A workwear-inspired jacket is a useful second layer because its shape leaves space for a knit or shirt underneath. It can be worn open when the weather is mild and buttoned up as the temperature drops.

The Universal Works collection offers this kind of relaxed outer layer. An olive jacket or muted check pairs naturally with a plain brown knit. If the jacket has a noticeable pattern, let it be the one patterned piece in the outfit. The different fabrics will provide plenty of interest without adding more competing colours.

When trying a jacket on, do more than check how it looks while standing still. Button it over the knit, reach forward and move your arms. An autumn layer needs to be comfortable with the clothes you will actually wear beneath it.

Keep the rest simple

Straight-leg dark denim grounds the softer, more textured layers above it. Black or charcoal trousers work too, especially if you want a slightly neater look. A very slim trouser can make a relaxed jacket appear top-heavy, so give the lower half enough room to balance it.

Brown leather boots suit the colour palette, but they are not essential. A clean, simple shoe will make the outfit feel lighter on a milder day. For the final detail, a Bremont Wright Flyer sits comfortably alongside the practical character of the clothes without needing to match them exactly.

The strength of the outfit is that nothing depends on being worn all at once. The knit works without the jacket; the jacket works over a shirt; the same dark denim goes with both. That makes the layers useful through autumn rather than reserved for one particular look.

You can see the current Wax London and Universal Works collections at Unit 17 in Cardiff and try the pieces together to find the combination that fits you best.