EDIT: Casual, Comfy, Cute Layers

A mini-edit of light outerwear that feels like a little transeasonal hug.

Now that it’s autumn, we’re starting to run our hands across our outerwear. But it’s far too early for a coat (unless it’s a raincoat and you’re currently residing somewhere in Cyclone Alfred’s path - in which case, please stay safe we love you), and it also feels too summery to wear a trench, even in Melbourne. But it’s, like, 12 degrees in the morning, so WTF do you wear on your back?

Of all the recommendation requests we get in our DMs, “lightweight jacket” has got to be in the top three. It’s a perenially hard wardrobe item to solve for: a blazer is often too formal, a denim jacket too casual. A trench coat is too much fabric, a cardigan too little. A bomber too warm, a shacket too cool. You get the gist. We’re all Goldilocks, but instead of trying out various bowls of porridge and bear-sized beds, we’re all looking for the perfect light layer that fits us juuuust right.

This week, we’ve done some homework and rustled up our favourites on the market right now. In this week’s newsletter, you’ll find:

• Six neutral-toned jackets in the best everyday throw-on shape, including trench jackets and a barn jacket option

• Four black jackets that are not blazers!

• Four playful/fun lightweight jackets, including a camo print one that Annie is dreaming about wearing with a pair of red heels

• Six classic/neutral-toned cardigans (cream/black/grey) that are a little bit special

• Five colourful cardigans that take things up a notch

For ideas on how to style these pieces, check out our comfy, casual and cute runaround outfits mood-board — we’ll be bringing you a bumper edit of pieces that fit this brief later this week. For now, let’s get you layered up!

The everyday throw-on option

Gucci Cruise 2025, Pinterest, Leandra Medine

Fashion people LOVE a trench coat, it’s one of those wardrobe items they love to mythologise because it’s been worn so well by so many types of people: war heroes, gangsters, seductresses etc etc. It’s truly the most chameleon-like of any garment. But it’s also a LOT of fabric for a trans-seasonal, Aussie environment, where the vibe doesn’t really call for such a serious piece of outerwear (although, believe us, we’ll go there once the temp drops low enough!). The cropped trench is having a moment right now because it gives us the best of both worlds: the chicness of a trench with the ease of a shorter, swingier, boxier silhouette. A real throw-on you can depend on.

A barn jacket is more casual than a trench, but not as sporty/casual as a parka, which makes it a very strong candidate for a throw-on lightweight layer that is casual, cute and comfy (our new three-word style mantra btw).