The autumn weekend outfit: a half-zip and what to wear with it

A dark half-zip sweatshirt over a plain tee, corduroy trousers, suede boots and a scarf or flat cap: this is the outfit for a cold Saturday walk that ends in a pub. Every piece is easy to find, and the half-zip does the work.

Below is how each part fits together, which colours to pick and how to look after the layer so it still looks right in March.

The top: our piece

The Essential Half Zip Sweatshirt is designed in London and made in our Colombo workshop. It has a structured stand collar with a zip closure, a clean, plain front and ribbed cuffs and hem. The fabric is soft sweatshirt fabric, and the cut is relaxed, so it sits over a tee without pulling across the shoulders. It costs £45 in the UK.

It comes in dark grey, silver, teal and black. Silver and teal are listed in S to XL, though stock is thin (one to eight pieces a size) at the time of writing. Black is down to M and XL, and dark grey to S, so choose quickly if either is your colour. For an autumn weekend we would start with silver: it is the lightest of the four, and it lifts a dark outfit without shouting.

Wear the zip a third of the way down so the stand collar shows. Zipped fully, it reads sporty. Open, it reads like a jumper that has lost its way. Stopping part-way gives you a neat line at the neck and room for a scarf.

Underneath, a plain tee is all it needs. Our oversized boxy tee is heavyweight cotton with a ribbed crew neck and no logo, and it is listed in black, pine green, light navy and camel beige (stock varies by size). Camel beige under silver or dark grey looks warm. Black under teal looks sharp. Keep the tee hem shorter than the sweatshirt hem so nothing shows below the ribbing.

If you are unsure of your size, the measuring guide explains how we take our chest and length figures. Our cut is relaxed, so most people stay with their usual size.

Trousers

Corduroy gives a sweatshirt some structure. Uniqlo sells men's corduroy trousers in a slim, tapered cut with a moderately thick wale, which is the right shape here. The taper stops the relaxed top from swamping you. Brown or olive both work.

Prefer denim? Pick a straight, mid-blue or dark-indigo pair with no rips and no bleaching. The rule is the same either way: let the top be loose and the trousers be clean.

Keep the break at the ankle small. A hem that touches the top of the boot is plenty.

Shoes

A chukka boot is the natural partner. Loake lists chukka boots in leather and suede, including Goodyear welted styles. A sand or brown suede pair suits silver, and black suits teal or dark grey.

Suede does not like puddles. Spray it before the first wear, and carry a brush. If the forecast is poor, switch to a leather pair and wipe them dry when you get in.

White trainers also work with this outfit, as long as they are clean. Boots simply make it feel more like autumn.

Cap or scarf

The last piece is a layer for your head or neck. Lock & Co. Hatters sells men's flat caps in tweed, wool, cashmere and cotton. A flat cap in a muted tweed or herringbone suits the corduroy and does not clash with the sweatshirt.

If you would rather wear a scarf, Johnstons of Elgin has a cashmere scarf range. Loop it once under the open collar and leave the ends loose. A grey or camel scarf looks calm against teal.

These are our suggestions. We are not connected to any of these brands. They simply pair well with the half-zip.

When to wear it

• A walk in the park or on the coast, when the temperature drops after lunch.
• Saturday errands, a coffee and the market.
• A Sunday pub lunch, with the boots and the scarf.
• Travel days, because the relaxed cut is comfortable for a train or a long drive.

It is not a smart-dinner outfit. For that, swap the sweatshirt for one of our knitted polos, and read what to wear with a knitted polo for the full set of ideas.

How to care for the half-zip

We do not print fibre or wash figures for this sweatshirt here, so follow the care label inside the garment. Some general habits help any zip sweatshirt:

• Close the zip before washing, so the teeth do not catch the fabric.
• Turn it inside out to protect the front and the colour.
• Dry it flat or on a hanger, and do not hang it by the collar while wet.
• Fold it rather than hanging it for storage, so the shoulders keep their shape.

Ribbed cuffs and hem recover well when you give them a gentle pull into shape after washing.

Frequently asked questions

What do you wear a half-zip sweatshirt with?

A plain tee underneath, slim corduroy or dark denim trousers and suede boots. Add a cap or scarf when it turns cold.

Should the half-zip be zipped up or down?

Leave it a third of the way down. That shows the stand collar and still keeps your neck warm.

Does it fit true to size?

The cut is relaxed. Check the measuring guide and compare it with a sweatshirt you already own.

Which colour is best for autumn?

Silver and teal are the easiest to wear and come in every size, though stock is limited. Black and dark grey are in shorter supply.

Where can I see all the men's jumpers?

Browse the men's jumpers collection.