Every fashion enthusiast knows that Fifth Avenue is one of the best places to go shopping. But here at The New School, Fifth Avenue is more than that — it’s a runway. From statement bags to standout shoes, Fashion on Fifth is here to give you weekly, front row access to some of The New School’s chicest looks. This week, we’re focusing on jacket layering.

As the weather begins to drop to the 50s and the wind tunnel of Fifth Avenue starts to whisk us away, it’s finally time to bring out those warmer layers. The unpredictable start of fall makes it harder to figure out what to wear, especially with the often chilly mornings and the sun making us overheat by the afternoon. Before leaving your apartment, you have to ask yourself, “Do I wear that warm sweater I’ve been excited to pull out of my closet?” or “Do I go for a thin leather jacket just in case?” 

This week on Fashion on Fifth, we’re finding out how New School students are layering up to stay warm on the windy sidewalks. As we learned from our last issue of Fashion on Fifth, fall fashion is all about layering up sustainably with old pieces in your wardrobe. And now that it’s time to start pulling out our jacket collections, I’m curious to know how students keep their outfits fun and exciting beneath a warm, cozy top layer. 

Izzy Brown  she/her — @itzizzybrown 

Fourth-year Parsons School of Design integrated design student

When I saw Izzy, my eyes immediately went to her burnt orange knee-high socks. She says her Mary Janes have recently become a staple in her fall fashion: “I’ve been pairing them with high knee socks because I feel like it’s really cute.” Izzy says her socks are perfect for this weather that is “kind of cold, kind of warm.” She’s also wearing a bubble skirt underneath a very baggy button-down and oversized blazer. “I’ve been going very preppy, but also masculine in the same way,” she says. Wearing oversized layers on top of oversized pieces has been something she’s been dabbling in this season, and I’m definitely here for it! The pairing of her blazer and button down over her short skirt is the perfect combo for getting through the windy chill of Fifth Avenue. For the fall, Izzy says that layering in a very “minimalistic way” — neutrals, creams, and earthy tones — has been her go-to. While she’s very much in her Mary Janes era, Izzy says she’s excited to bring out her new Ugg boots for the colder weather.

Willa Houlhain  she/her — @willaaahoulihan 

Third-year Eugene Lang College of Liberal Arts screen studies student

When I walked toward the University Center, I spotted Willa out of the corner of my eye, smoking a cigarette during her break. She was giving cool grunge girl energy with her cute buckle boots and leather jacket combo. Willa told me her outfit was inspired by her love for Nancy from The Craft. Her color palette definitely gives that mysterious ‘90s witch fantasy. Willa reveals that layering is an important part of her fall fashion now that it’s getting chillier out. “But honestly it’s hard, you just have to fake it till you make it,” she says. But from what I can tell, Willa is a layering genius! She says she loves to show her legs, and her sheer black tights surely tie the whole outfit together. “I love a pleated skirt and then also just a leather jacket,” Willa says. This long top, short bottom combo is certainly a fan favorite this time of year! 

Sophie Graham  she/they — @sophiegrhm 

Continuing & Professional Education student studying film production 

Sophie’s outfit just screams ‘60s psychedelia with these colorful touches of green and orange. “I feel like my favorite way to pick something is to just look at all my clothes and see what I want to wear the most,” she says, and I can’t believe how well everything goes together! Sophie told me she made these pants herself, and I’m in awe of how eclectic and fun they are paired with her green hair scarf and jade necklace. When she gets dressed in the morning, “I don’t want to leave the house unless I’m wearing one thing that I made,” she says — which seriously makes her eclectic fashion cooler and unique. Sophie says layering is an essential part of her style. “My style isn’t that cool, but my use of crazy layering is what makes it a little bit cooler,” she says. I completely disagree; her style is so cool and whimsical! Since Sophie just moved to New York from the sunny state of California, she’s starting to prepare her wardrobe for the incoming cold weather. She’s really into secondhand fashion and upcycling, and wants to thrift some new winter pieces in the city. “I’m excited to shop a little and make some more stuff so I’m not freezing,” she says. I can’t wait to see what fall fashion pieces Sophie whips up for the season! 

Dani Korvel  she/her — @danikorv 

Fourth-year Parsons communication design student 

With no sun in sight, Dani’s mysterious, bug-eyed shades prompted me to ask her more about what influenced her fashion choices today. After the release of the Brat remix album, Dani is continuing to channel her “brat summer” era into “brat fall” with her big shades and cool street style. In reference to her outfit, she says, “It’s really cold, so I was like, ‘Okay, how do I make a cute outfit, but also look like I tried?’” She told me that having a six-hour studio class makes it harder for her to decide on an outfit, when she would rather be comfortable. Wearing a warm but “not too hot” FedEx race car jacket, Dani paired her oversized jacket with a short, pleated skirt and some white leg warmers. The cold weather is something Dani really loves, but hates dressing for, especially when entering a warm New School building. “Not only do you have to wear a cute jacket, but you have to wear something cute under. So when you take off your jacket, you’re still serving.” She adds that the changing of seasons is really throwing off her outfit choices in the morning, “And what if I wear a jacket and I’m like, ‘Wait, it’s actually really hot outside.’” A favorite staple in Dani’s fall fashion is putting bows on everything. “My outfits are constantly evolving, but lately I’m kind of more into accessorizing with little bows or jewelry.” So cutesy, and a perfect way to finalize a cozy fall outfit. 

As many students have said, it’s getting harder to decide what to wear in the morning. What if it gets really warm later in the day? How do you prepare for that? While we’re all excited to be pulling out our fall fashion staples, we’re still experimenting with what will work best for the changing temperatures outside.

Jackets are steadily becoming necessary items within our current outfit choices, completely changing the way we dress for class. If it’s warm in the building, what are you planning to wear underneath? All these decisions are preparing us for the cold weather in sight. For now, it’s time to experiment and play around with the new ways we can start layering for this windy season!