Dear Friends, in 1912 Thomas Burberry patented a belted coat with a single strap, a buckle and a buttoned collar, and he called it the Tielocken. Burberry's own history calls it the forerunner of the trench coat, and the trench itself took shape in the First World War as a light, rain-proof coat for British officers. Light, water-shedding and wearable all day is a good brief for 60 degrees. I also put together How to Wear the 60 Degree Weather.

 

Here is the lesson, and I think it is a nice one (there is much more to uncover, but this is the useful part). Sixty degrees is a layering temperature, not a coat temperature. Shade, wind and early mornings can feel noticeably chilly, and a sunny afternoon can feel pleasantly mild, so what to wear in 60 degree weather comes down to one outer layer that is light enough to take off, a middle layer that does the real warming, and a base that is comfortable at 3pm. I will give you the modern options for each, one section at a time. I went deeper on a related idea in 70 Degree Weather Outfits: What to Wear.

 

Start with the coats. The double-breasted Kendall in khaki is the closest to the original: khaki was the trench's first color, and double-breasted is what separates a trench from a mackintosh. I would wear it open over jeans. The Mikkel in tan and the Myka in bone are the same idea in softer shades, and the SKIMS sateen trench in desert has a smoother, more fluid hand. The Susana Monaco double knit trench in java is the cozy one, closer to a cardigan with a belt.

 

If a trench feels too formal, the Elodie the Label Cyrus barn jacket in beige and the Tularosa Harlow in indigo are the easy, collared layers, and the Helsa Schoolhouse in chestnut suede is the one I would pick for a cold start. Whichever you choose, check that the sleeve fits over a sweater and that you can button it with one on.

Nili Lotan started her label in 2003, after designing at Ralph Lauren and Nautica, with just six pieces: three trousers, a top and two jackets, all from a single Italian mill. I like that story for this section, because the middle layer at 60 degrees works the same way. You need very few pieces, and they need to be good. Her Klarise sweater in medium gray melange is the quiet kind, with a clean neckline that sits flat under a jacket.

 

Picture her on a cool platform at 8am, cardigan buttoned to the collarbone, then open and pushed up at the wrists by lunch. That is the point of a cardigan: it adjusts. The Good American Fine Knit Cardigan in navy is fitted with a button front, the AEXAE ribbed cardigan in tan has a round neck, and the Autumn Cashmere Baby Cardigan in heather is cropped and soft, so it works over a high-waisted pair of trousers. The Sold Out NYC Refined Cardi in charcoal is the sharp one.

 

For a crew, the St. Agni wool jumper in taupe melange and the SRG Madisyn crewneck in cement are both clean, fine knits. The Favorite Daughter ivory sweater has a relaxed fit, so it takes a jacket without bunching at the shoulder.

 

Lands' End makes a useful point about blazers: they give structure without much insulation. A fine knit under one does the rest. What I would skip: a chunky knit under a fitted jacket, because by afternoon you will be carrying a coat and wearing a warm sweater you do not want.

Check the hem before anything else. At 60 degrees an ankle-length leg shows a little skin, which is lovely with a loafer or flat and sensible when the day warms up, but the line should land at the same spot on both sides. Try it standing and sitting.

 

The denim first. The Pistola Issa in mirage is a mid-rise ankle straight, and the Citizens of Humanity Charlotte in Montreal is a high-rise straight in medium blue. The PAIGE Stevie in cream cloud is the pale option, so keep your top layer in a deeper shade, like navy or chestnut. The Good American Good Boy in indigo has a relaxed boyfriend leg, and the Levi's Wedgie slim straight in destiny is high-rise with a classic blue wash.

 

Then the trousers, which I like for days that need to look a little more put together. The EAVES Keki crop in black has a clean tailored line, the Smythe pleated crop in mocha adds some fullness at the hip, and the Rohe trouser in optic white is slim and ankle length. In my fashion dreams it is a Sunday in October, and she has a trench over her arm, a fine knit on, and one of these in the pale shades.

 

Pick the pale pair for the afternoon and the dark pair for the shade. What I would skip: wide, floor-length hems in damp weather, since they will soak up the first puddle.

A dress is the easiest answer to what to wear at 60 degrees, because it is one decision. The trick is to choose a long sleeve with some weight, then add a light coat over it. The Vince Cozy Midi in dark heather gray has a mid-weight super-stretch knit with a boat neck, and the RAILS Kat in hazelnut is a ribbed turtleneck, body-skimming and warm without needing a scarf. If you want to keep going, How to Dress for 50 Degree Weather: A Coat, a Knit and a Good Boot is the one I would read next.

 

The Veronica Beard Salomez in espresso is a lightweight wool and cashmere blend with a surplice neck, which I would pick for the office or a dinner. The LE BOP Gwen in camel is 100% cotton with a crew neck, long sleeves and a tie accent, so it is a good one for the afternoon when you want something that breathes. The SKIMS Smooth Layers dress in obsidian has a square neck and a smooth stretch, and it looks sharp under a trench.

 

For a softer day, the Lovers and Friends Sariah in ecru is clean and simple, the Cara Cara Easton in brown has a mock neck and button cuffs, and the L'Academie Ariadne in beige has lace trim. Picture her walking across a campus in October with a barn jacket over the Easton.

 

Test the dress sitting down. The skirt should not ride up and the sleeve should not pull at the elbow. What I would skip: a clingy knit with no layer over it, as the first gust of wind will find you.

Closed shoes are the right call at 60 degrees: sandals are too cold and boots are too much. A loafer or flat is the answer, and a few of these come with a story.

 

Dr. Martens started as a work boot. The Griggs family had made boots in Wollaston, Northamptonshire since 1901, and the 1460 began on April 1, 1960, taking its name from the date. The Adrian Bex penny loafer in black carries that sole into something dressier. Margaux designs in New York and has its shoes made by artisans at a family-owned factory in Spain, and the James loafer in cedar suede has a square toe and a cushioned insole. The Dolce Vita Baxen in russet and the Coach Leah in black patent complete the loafers.

 

For flats, the Tory Burch Reva came first in 2006, named after Tory's mom, and the Reva Travel in black goatskin carries the name forward. Reformation was launched in 2009 in the back room of a Los Angeles store, and the Bethany in farro suede has an adjustable strap and a buckle, which helps if your foot changes size by the end of the day. The UGG Zora in sand has a soft shearling lining, and the Madewell Mylie in rich brown suede is a cushioned everyday flat.

 

Fitting test: walk on a hard floor and check that the heel does not slip. What I would skip: pale suede on a rainy day, since it marks easily.

Here is what I would do. Look at the high for the afternoon, build the outfit for that number, and add one layer for the morning. A fine knit, a pair of straight jeans or a long-sleeve dress, a flat or a loafer, and a coat you can carry.

 

Which coat is up to you. A trench, a barn jacket or a suede one will all work, and they all come off easily. A coat that began as an officer's rain layer in the First World War is still a good answer to a day that cannot decide.

 

With love, and a light jacket,