What to Wear Under a Long Coat This Fall

What to Wear Under a Long Coat This Fall

A long coat does half the work of an outfit, so what you wear under it matters more than people think. This is how I build the layers.

A long coat is the best thing you can own in fall, and I love that it hides most of the outfit. Still, the pieces you wear underneath decide whether you feel warm and put together when you take it off.

The coat comes first. The Bottega Veneta stretch-wool felt long coat in black is the clean, long one, the Altuzarra Dugan belted wool-blend coat is the soft one, and the Martin Grant duffle coat in navy is the practical one with a hood. The A.W.A.K.E. MODE flared wool pea coat in navy is the shorter, more sculptural option.

Soft Sweaters

The sweater under a coat should be thin enough to layer and soft enough to keep. A fine knit slides under a sleeve without bunching.

The Source Unknown Byrone V-neck cashmere-wool sweater in a neutral tone is the plain, easy one, and the KALLMEYER Nina crewneck in grey is the neat one. The Dries Van Noten Tedd wool sweater has a pattern, and the RÙADH Cadogan sweater in yellow is the one that brightens a dark coat.

Straight Leg Jeans

A straight jean is the right shape under a long coat, since the lines of both pieces fall straight to the ankle.

The Khaite Farley in a light wash is the clean pair, and the Jeanerica Eiffel in a medium wash is the stretchy one. The Prada classic-fit jeans in blue are the roomy ones, and the SLVRLAKE Chloe in dark wash is the low-rise option.

Tall Leather Boots

A tall boot keeps your legs warm and looks great with a coat that hits below the knee.

The Gianvito Rossi Lisa suede boot in brown has a block heel, and the Khaite knee-high leather boot is the slim one. The Valentino Garavani V-Logo boot is the sturdy black pair, and the Odissi Alma shearling knee boot is the cozy one for the coldest days.

Let the Coat Lead

A long coat, a soft sweater, a straight jean and a tall boot. Take the coat off and you are still dressed, which is the whole idea.

If this is the kind of week you are dressing for, I would also read my notes on rainy day outfits, fall work outfits, cabin weekend outfits and first day of fall outfits.