How to Layer an Autumn Outfit in Amsterdam: Vintage Gaultier, Ganni and a Bomber Jacket

It is the last day of October. The clocks have gone back, the city has turned red and yellow, and the canals are covered in fallen leaves. Here and there the first Christmas lights are already going up, which feels early, but I will admit it makes me happy. This stretch between autumn and the holiday season is my favourite time to get dressed, because it is all about layers.

The short answer: start with a simple white tank top, add a pair of tailored vintage trousers, put a grey cardigan on top and finish with a bomber jacket you can take off when the weather changes. Add a heel and a vintage watch and it feels finished.

This outfit at a glance

• Top: basic white tank top, Arket

• Trousers: vintage Jean Paul Gaultier, 1980s, with a zip-off belt

• Layer: grey cardigan, Ganni

• Jacket: bomber jacket, Adanola

• Shoes: Staple Heels

• Bag: Balenciage Le City

• Watch: vintage Longines, 1980s

• Where: Amsterdam, autumn 2026

What am I wearing?

I started with the simplest piece, a white tank top from Arket. It is the base for everything else, so it does not need to do much. A good white tank is a layering piece first and an outfit second.

The trousers are the star. They are vintage Jean Paul Gaultier from the 1980s, and the detail I love is the belt. It is attached to the trousers, but you can zip it off. It is subtle, but it is the kind of design you only notice up close. I love details like this, and the quality is the kind that literally lasts for years.

On top I wore a grey Ganni cardigan, and over that an Adanola bomber jacket. Heels and a vintage 1980s Longines watch finish it off.

How do you layer an outfit when the autumn weather is unpredictable?

Dutch weather changes by the hour, so I dress in thin layers that I can take on and off.

1. Base: a white tank top. It works on its own on a warmer afternoon.

2. Middle layer: a cardigan. It adds warmth without bulk and looks good even without the jacket.

3. Outer layer: a bomber jacket. It is the quickest piece to put on or take off, and it fits easily in a bag.

If it gets colder, I can swap the cardigan for something thicker. If it warms up, the tank and trousers are still a complete outfit.

How do you mix tough, feminine and elegant in one outfit?

This outfit is a mix of three styles, and that is why I like it.

• The bomber jacket makes it tough. It takes away any sweetness the rest of the outfit might have.

• The heel makes it feminine. A heel under a bomber is one of my favourite contrasts.

• The cardigan, the watch and the trousers keep it elegant and timeless. Grey Ganni knit, a 1980s Longines and Jean Paul Gaultier tailoring all feel calm and classic.

If you only change one thing in your wardrobe this season, try putting a sporty jacket over something tailored. It works every time.

Why wear a vintage pair of trousers?

Vintage trousers are cut differently than most of what you find in shops today, and the fabric and finishing are often better. The Jean Paul Gaultier pair I am wearing is a good example. It is 40 years old and still looks sharp. If you want to find more pieces like this, I keep a map of my favourite shops and markets on the Vintage Amsterdam page.

Why is the Balenciaga Le City bag my go-to handbag?

The bag is my small Balenciaga Le City. I have had it for a few years now and it is the bag I reach for most, because it goes with every outfit. Here it works with the tailoring, the knit and the bomber without competing with any of them. If you are looking for one handbag that you will really wear all the time, a small bag in a classic shape like this is a good place to start. It also shows that an outfit does not need a new bag every season. The pieces you wear most are usually the ones worth keeping.

What about the watch?

A vintage Longines from the 1980s adds something that a new accessory does not: history, and a small, quiet detail that makes the outfit feel grown up. A watch is a good finishing touch when everything else is already layered.

FAQ

What should I wear in Amsterdam in autumn?
Layers. A tank or thin top, a cardigan or knit and a light jacket such as a bomber or a trench. You will take something off at some point during the day.

Can you wear a bomber jacket with tailored trousers and heels?
Yes. The sporty jacket and the tailored trousers balance each other, and the heel makes the outfit more feminine.

How do you style a white tank top in autumn?
Use it as the base layer under a cardigan and a jacket. It stays light, keeps things simple and lets the other pieces stand out.

More autumn outfit ideas: see my wool turtleneck and vintage Céline bag outfit and my Rouje denim jacket, Levi’s and vintage YSL necklace look.