The Master Guide to Fall Layering

By Kaaden Dull

The leaves are turning and so is the weather. That chill autumn breeze in the morning sends a shiver down your spine, only to be replaced by a trail of sweat in the afternoon sun. Coat on? Congrats! You’ve become a living, breathing, walking sauna. Coat off? You’ve entered the polar vortex. Quit playing tug-of-war with the temperature and learn how to layer like an onion.

How to Stay Comfortable Without Feeling Bulky

Nobody wants to look like a walking marshmallow about to burst in the microwave (unless that’s your vibe, I guess). Layering shouldn’t sacrifice your ability to run, climb, crouch and stretch in exchange for comfort in all-over-the-place weather. Plus, when the temperature swings 40 degrees between morning and evening, you need to be able to pivot. Going from thin to thick is your best bet – meaning your coolest and tightest layers should go on first and your warmest and loosest layers are last. With that in mind, feel free to adjust each layer to your own temperature desires.

Best Gear for Fall Weather

Base Layer

A good, thin base layer is the best way to start. It won’t hold in too much heat, and it’ll give you plenty of room to cool off when the sun comes out. A tank top or a t-shirt paired with some leggings or base layer pants should work wonders. Or if you don’t mind the feeling of shorts under looser pants, that’s another route to take!

Women’s Tank Tops and Women’s T-Shirts

• Women’s No-YankⓇ Tank
• Women’s No-YankⓇ Sweater Protector Elbow Sleeve Tee

Men’s T-Shirts

• Men’s Longtail TⓇ Relaxed Fit Short Sleeve T-Shirt
• Men’s Longtail TⓇ Short Sleeve Relaxed Fit Pocket Henley

Women’s Base Layer Bottoms

• Women’s NoGAⓇ Classic Leggings
• Women’s NoGAⓇ Work Hi-Rise Shorts

Men’s Base Layer Bottoms

• Men’s DuluthFlexⓇ Dry on the FlyⓇ Standard Fit 9” Shorts
• Men’s Buck NakedⓇ Base Layer Pants – this base layer runs warm!

Mid Layer

Mid layers offer more variety in styles and fits. If you want a little more fashion with your function, your mid layers should be the same length as or longer than your base layers. This helps keep your proportions looking even – no giraffe legs in sight or torsos that look like they’ve gone through a taffy puller. Fleece items, flannels and thicker long sleeve shirts are a great choice for tops in this layer. Jeans, cargo pants and overalls work well for bottoms.

Women’s Mid-Layer Tops

• Women’s Duluth Heritage Crewneck Sweatshirt
• Or try any of our women’s flannel shirts

Men’s Mid-Layer Tops

• Men’s No Quit Standard Fit Utility Flannel Shirt
• Men’s Flapjack Fleece-Lined Relaxed Fit Shirt Jac
  • See all of our men’s flannel shirts

Women’s Mid-Layer Bottoms and Women’s Jeans

• Women's Duluth Heritage Hi-Rise Barrel Leg Jeans
• Women’s Heirloom GardeningⓇ Bib Overalls

Men’s Mid-Layer Bottoms and Men’s Jeans

• Men’s Hellbent™ Work Pants
• Men’s DuluthFlexⓇ BallroomⓇ Relaxed Fit Jeans

Outer Layer

Last but not least is your final layer against the elements. This layer is almost exclusively jackets, coats and vests. You shouldn’t need something too heavy-duty at this time of year, just something to cut the wind when it picks up. If it’s warm enough you might opt to skip this layer – whatever floats your boat.

Women’s Outerwear and Women’s Fleece

• Women’s Souped-UpⓇ Sweats Pullover Hoodie – try the zip version to show off mid layers
  • See all of our women’s sweatshirts here
• Women's Pile Hi Fleece 1/4 Zip Mockneck

Men’s Outerwear and Men’s Fleece

• Men’s Souped-UpⓇ Sweats Full Zip Hoodie
  • See all of our men’s sweatshirts here
• Men's Shoreman's Fleece Shirt Jac

Quick Tip: Want your flannel to be the star of the show instead of your hoodie? Size up your flannel and wear it over the sweatshirt to show it off.

Business or Pleasure?

Your layering can – and should – look different depending on what you’re doing, where, why and all those other W words. If you’re going to chop wood for the neighborhood bonfire later tonight, go with base layers that’ll wick sweat and fight odors paired with outer layers that fight grime and give you full axe-swinging movement. If your evening plans lean more toward a glass of your favorite drink on the porch, then pull on your favorite hoodie and sweats (with leggings or shorts underneath, just in case).

However you layer and whatever you layer for, we’ve got your back. And your front. And your everything else. From getting down in the dirt to dinner for two, Duluth works for you.