The Fine Art of Layering

There’s a lot to be said for doing one thing and doing it well. This year’s choicest layering pieces, however, stand out by serving double-duty with aplomb. Crafted with exceptional attention to quality by some of the most skilled artisans in the world, these selections are designed to stand up faithfully to years of wear, while keeping you looking effortlessly polished. We should all be so versatile.

Brunello Cucinelli

Known within the industry as “The King of Cashmere,” Cucinelli’s repertoire goes far beyond the buttery-soft sweaters that made him famous. Embrace the Italian approach to cool weather dressing this season with the help of Cucinelli’s latest creations, which combine classic tailoring with high quality materials and fine details. For a polished-but-casual weekend look, pair Cucinelli’s unstructured jacket with jeans and a knit crewneck, or throw on his cotton-cashmere corduroy jacket – lined in shearling for exceptional warmth – over a soft knit hoody.

Giorgio Armani

Even if your collegiate days are well behind you, there’s no reason not to add a touch of prep style to your wardrobe, especially if it’s been approved by Giorgio Armani. This effortlessly sophisticated peacoat is woven in Italy with a luxuriously soft look and feel and is easy to pair with all of your other favourite fall layering pieces, from simple chunky knit sweaters to a more adventurous hooded leather bomber.

Kiton

This family-run Italian brand is known for making some of the world’s best suits, and they apply the same know-how to crafting exceptional outerwear. This insulated lightweight blazer, for one, features such clever details as snug cashmere cuffs, buttery soft goatskin suede trim and an adjustable drawstring at the waist. Its most surprising feature, however, is the ability to be folded up and packed into its own interior pocket, which then transforms into a backpack. Whether you’re hiking in the Dolomites or scouring the mall for holiday gifts, that’s functionality anyone can use. Try pairing it with Kiton’s Italian-made cashmere half-zip sweater, whose slim cut and cable-knit pattern are the pinnacle of casual sophistication.

ZEGNA

If you were looking for an excuse to add cashmere to new areas of your wardrobe, let ZEGNA – a brand whose mastery at working with fine wool goes back generations – be your guide. Try this ingenious hybrid sport jacket, which blends the comfort of a cardigan with the finesse of a suit jacket, layered over one of the brand’s cashmere-silk turtlenecks. For additional versatility, slip into Zegna’s wool-cashmere sport jacket, whose semi-slim silhouette and removable hooded insert make it the perfect companion for a chunky charcoal cashmere sweater.

TOM FORD

If it’s good enough for James Bond, it’s surely good enough for the rest of us. Look to Agent 007’s favourite clothier for luxurious staples that are built to keep up with whatever the day may hold (up to and including saving the world). In classic fashion, Ford ups the ante of two timeless American silhouettes this season, infusing them with luxurious details and a dash of danger. Whether it’s a classic bomber silhouette in jaunty (and water-repellent) plum silk, or a weighty cashmere hoody with elegant leather trim, TOM FORD knows how to dress a man to look and feel his best.