Seasonal Shift: How to Transition Your Wardrobe into Autumn

As we begin to say goodbye to the summer, the autumnal chill interjecting the last few days of sunshine and knitwear season edging ever closer, we need to plan even our day-to-day outfits more carefully. 

When you can open the door to grey skies and drizzle in the morning and then commute home in golden sunshine, you need to be prepared. Autumn dressing calls for layers (layers that aren’t too thick nor too flimsy), convenience, and versatility. 

In this article we’ve listed some of our favourite garments that we think fit the bill for autumnal essentials. Each is a light to mid weight layer that, thanks to our unfussy and refined designs and muted colour palettes, is easy to throw on without much thought in the morning. 

As always with Colhay’s knitwear, each piece is made to the highest quality, by a team of knitters that are the most skilled craftspeople in the business. We also source the very best yarns, from world renowned heritage spinners, Todd and Duncan. This marriage of superior raw materials and unparalleled skill results in pieces that are of supreme quality and impressive durability.

Another trait of Colhay’s knitwear that we pride ourselves on, is our garments’ versatility. Whilst we always design each sweater or cardigan with the tastes of a modern man in mind, we are also careful to ensure we never centre trends. Everything we design is understated, elegant and classic. Our knitwear is timeless in a way that means you could pass on a sweater or cardigan to your children and they won’t be embarrassed to wear it - and the quality of our knitwear means that that is certainly an option. 

Cashmere Crew Necks 

Our cashmere crew necks come in a variety of colourways, from a classic oatmeal shade right through to a deep and dark brown, even incorporating two striped versions for those looking to add a little interest to their outfit. With our colour choices, we, as always, steer clear of anything too bright or eye-catching, instead preferring more muted shades that don’t command too much attention and are easy to match with garments you’ll likely have already. There is a shade to compliment every skin tone and each is very simple to pair with other colours or fabrics. 

This versatility continues in terms of formality, with our crew necks ideal for both workwear and for casual weekend outfits. If you’re wearing one on the commute, or simply on a day where the weather is unpredictable, these crew neck sweaters are remarkably packable. You can make them very small just by rolling and, what's more, they’re very difficult to crease. If you do end up squashing one in your bag, for example, you’re not going to be haunted by the creases for the rest of the day. 

If you are someone who likes to keep warm but doesn’t enjoy the feeling of a roll neck, a cashmere crew neck is the perfect autumn alternative. Made from 100% cashmere, you’ll find these sweaters incredibly soft to the touch and supremely comfortable too. 

Cashmere Polo Shirts 

Polo shirts are an excellent option for occasions where you need to elevate your outfit but you don’t want to up the formality too much. Today, a lot of offices are more formal than they once were, meaning we are not all required to wear a suit every day. Though a suit is perhaps not required, many of us still want to look put together and in this situation, a polo shirt fits the bill perfectly. 

Again, our cashmere polo shirts are made from 100% cashmere. From inner Mongolia, the fibres sourced to produce the yarns we use are both thin and long, resulting in a yarn that perfectly combines softness with durability. These longer yarns mean there’s also far less pilling than you would experience with high street cashmere. 

Cashmere Belmodo Rollnecks 

For those of us who enjoy wearing a rollneck, this sweater is an excellent autumnal choice. Of course, as it covers the neck, a rollneck promises extra warmth on chilly days but is also an almost universally flattering style. Rollnecks frame the face and elongate the neck creating what is, for the majority, a complimentary look. 

We’ve chosen to list a cashmere roll neck for autumn here, rather than any of our lambswool options, as the cashmere styles are a little more breathable, so perfect for chilly but not icy cold days. 

This is a predominantly evening or weekend garment for when you want to look stylish, but not necessarily formal. You might wear it to commute but not in the office - though this is, of course, dependent on your own workplace. 

Cashmere Drivers Half Zip Sweater

Another cashmere option is our Driver’s Half Zip Sweaters. Introduced in 2025, these sweaters are new to Colhay’s and are an excellent alternative for those of us who find a rollneck restrictive or uncomfortable. The zip feature itself means you can zip right up to the neck for warmth, or leave unzipped if you prefer. Both options are flattering on the body, hence this style is incredibly popular. 

Again, this is another sweater with excellent versatility that serves a wide variety of purposes. You can wear one in the office over a shirt or with jeans and t-shirt whilst relaxing at weekends. Though we’ve featured these in our autumn round up, our half zips can actually be worn throughout the year. Wear with shorts and you’ve got a sophisticated holiday outfit that will keep you warm on cooler evenings. When it’s really cold, these sweaters also work well as an underlayer. Wrap a shawl collar cardigan over the top for the perfect winter outfit. 

Cashmere Painter’s Shawl Collar Cardigan in Ecru 

When looking at thickness, this cardigan falls at the thinner end of the spectrum. It’s not too heavy or thick, rather a lightweight garment that promises warmth through natural fibres and offers an easy-to-wear and unrestrictive autumnal layering option.