Admit it; the recent mild weather has lulled you into a false sense of security. Without realising, you’ve started to believe you can continue to grab a pair of jeans and a T-shirt and make it through the whole day without having to even think about coordinating other layers. We’ve got bad news for you, summer reveller: autumn is nearly here.

Don’t despair, though. We strip back the complexities of layering and bring you a definitive guide to building a look that’s as stylish as it is cosy. So forget mourning simpler, T-shirt times – you’ll soon be having fun teaming the latest pieces for a style that is bag on trend.

The essential cover up
Louis Vuitton’s autumn/winter 2013 lookbook showcased the merits of a good zip-up hoodie in a dark shade. Teamed with slim-cut semi-smart trousers, a simple white T-shirt and loafer style shoes, the look was contradictory but very cool. Use it as your go-to look for colder days and you’ll be perfectly dressed for any informal occasion, while still looking like you’ve made an effort. Try a pick of the black, grey or navy zip-up hoodies here to bring a bit of designer-inspired masculine style into your autumn wardrobe.

The materials you need
Perfect autumn menswear calls for thick, luxurious fabrics, so invest in wool, tweed, plaid flannel and leather. Now’s the perfect time to start the hunt for a thick wool coat – opting for a well-fitted one with a smart tailored finish – and a pair of good quality leather gloves that’ll never go out of fashion.

The colours for autumn
It may not be breaking any boundaries, but you really can’t go wrong with a palette of rich olive green, maroon, grey and brown, interspersed with navy. If you’re looking to spice things up, however, why not take note from Dsquared2’s Pre-Autumn 2013 Men’s Lookbook and add a few splashes of bright blue and red? If you’re looking for a rule to follow, stick to one bold colour per outfit, and keep it minimal not summery to show you’ve truly made the style transition to the new season.