A cool morning, a warm afternoon, dinner after the sun has gone down. Dressing for early fall often comes down to the layer you can take off and the shoes you can walk home in.
An Adire two-piece set gives you several places to start. Wear both pieces with a coat, pair the shirt with your favourite jeans, or bring the skirt into your knitwear rotation. Here are three ways we would style Asola and Aïna for cooler days.
1. Wear the full Asola set with a simple coat
Asola in Sapphire Mocha, styled with an open camel coat and chocolate-brown ankle boots.
Asola pairs a button-through shirt with straight-leg trousers. The hand-dyed batik pattern runs through both pieces, so a coat in one solid colour gives the eye somewhere to rest.
In Sapphire Mocha, the blue and brown suggest an easy palette: dark brown shoes, a cream or camel coat, and a small bag. Leave the shirt untucked to keep its full length visible beneath an open coat. Button the coat when you need the warmth; the patterned trousers still carry the outfit.
Before heading out, try the trousers with the shoes you intend to wear. Check that the hems clear the ground, especially if you are switching from heels to flats.
Try it for: a lunch out or an afternoon at a gallery. For dinner, add gold earrings and keep the same clothes.
2. Pair the Asola shirt with your everyday denim
The Asola shirt worn separately with dark denim and brown loafers.
For a more casual outfit, wear the shirt with dark straight-leg jeans and loafers. Keeping the denim plain lets you see the smaller details in the cloth. Try it untucked first; a small front tuck is another option if you prefer to show the waist of your jeans.
On a mild afternoon, you could also leave the shirt open over a simple close-fitting top. Add a coat for colder weather, with enough room through the sleeves to move comfortably.
The trousers deserve their own turn, too. A cream crew-neck knit, the Sapphire Mocha trousers and brown ankle boots make another outfit from the same set. Choose a knit that sits comfortably at the waistband, or try a light front tuck if it is longer.
Try it for: weekend coffee, browsing the shops or a relaxed visit with friends.
Explore the Asola shirt and trouser set.
3. Wear the Aïna skirt with knitwear and boots
The Aïna skirt in Plum Moss, paired with an oatmeal knit, opaque tights and brown ankle boots.
Aïna brings a different shape: a wrap top with wide bell sleeves and a short pleated skirt. The top and skirt have contrasting patterns, which makes each piece interesting on its own.
For fall, try the skirt with an oatmeal knit, opaque tights and ankle boots. A shorter knit leaves more of the pleats visible; with a longer one, try a small front tuck without gathering the whole sweater into the waistband. In Plum Moss, dark plum or brown tights are worth trying alongside black.
If you prefer the complete set, add tights and boots, then check the fit of your coat over the bell sleeves. A roomy sleeve will be more comfortable than one that compresses the fabric around your arms.
Try it for: brunch or an early evening get-together.
Start with what is already in your wardrobe
Lay out the set beside the coat, denim and knitwear you wear most. Pick one colour from the cloth to repeat in your shoes or bag, then try the outfit on with your outer layer. Add warmth for the forecast and the time you will spend outside.
For finishing touches, our guide to wearing statement earrings with African print has more ideas. You can also read about Adire and its dyeing tradition, or explore the two-piece sets to find your starting point.