How to Layer Like an Italian This Winter

There’s a point every winter when getting dressed becomes a numbers game. How many layers can you pile on before you lose the ability to move your arms? What combo of sweater, scarf, and coat can you wear without looking like a stuffed animal?  

Basically, is it possible to look handsome when the temperature drops below freezing? 

For most guys, winter style is a compromise. Warmth wins. Silhouette suffers. And somewhere around Thanksgiving, we all start dressing like we’re preparing for an expedition rather than going out to dinner. 

The Italians, naturally, have a better approach. 

Instead of piling on more clothes, they focus on better ones. Luxurious natural fabrics. Thoughtful proportions. Layers that complement each other rather than compete for space. The result is a winter wardrobe that manages to look effortlessly put together without sacrificing comfort. 

That’s the philosophy behind Luca Faloni’s winter collection. Crafted in Northern Italy using premium cashmere, cotton, and suede, these are pieces designed to work together. The kind of clothes that make getting dressed in the dead of winter feel less like a chore and more like an opportunity. 

Here’s how to master the art of Italian layering. 

A good winter outfit starts with what you’re wearing underneath everything else. And while it’s tempting to reach for the thickest thing in your closet, the smartest base layers balance warmth, breathability, and just enough structure to look good on their own. 

Luca Faloni’s Cashmere-Cotton Shirt is a particularly clever example. Made from 85% extra-long staple cotton and 15% fine cashmere, it delivers the softness and warmth you’d expect from luxury knitwear in a shirt that’s light enough to wear beneath a blazer. Pair it with wool trousers for the office, then lose the jacket when happy hour rolls around.

For something a little more relaxed, the Brushed Cotton Shirt adds a soft, insulating finish to traditional Italian cotton. It’s the kind of shirt that looks equally at home beneath a sweater or worn open at the collar with chinos.

And then there’s the Oxford Cotton Shirt. A classic for good reason. Luca Faloni uses a traditional double-twisted cotton construction for a durable fabric that resists creasing and maintains its shape. 

All three feature the brand’s signature one-piece Paramontura collar, designed to maintain its elegant curve even when worn open. It’s a small detail. But great style is usually a collection of small details.

If there’s one fabric worth investing in when the temperature drops, it’s cashmere. Warm without being excessively heavy. Soft without being sloppy. And capable of making even the simplest outfit look like you put some serious thought into it.

Of course, not all cashmere is created equal.

Luca Faloni’s knitwear is made from pure, two-ply A-grade cashmere in Bergamo, Italy. The result is a collection of sweaters that offer substantial warmth without the bulk that usually accompanies winter dressing.

The Cashmere Crew Neck is the obvious place to start. It’s the sweater equivalent of a great white Oxford shirt. Versatile, dependable, and something you’ll find yourself reaching for constantly. Wear it over a collared shirt during the workweek or with your favorite jeans on Sunday.

The Cashmere Polo Sweater takes things a step further. Its tailored silhouette and polo-inspired collar give it a slightly dressier personality without requiring an actual dress shirt underneath. Though, it layers just fine that way, too. Perfect for those occasions when you want to look like you made an effort without looking like you’re trying too hard.

And if you’re looking to add some texture to your winter rotation, the Cashmere Cable Knit and Cable Knit Zip-Up deliver that handsome, old-world sweater energy without making you look like you’re about to captain a fishing boat.

Eventually, winter stops being charming. The novelty of crisp mornings and cozy sweaters wears off. The wind starts doing things wind shouldn’t be allowed to do. And suddenly, your lightweight knitwear needs backup. 

This is where the heavier pieces earn their keep. 

Luca Faloni’s Chunky Knit Cashmere Zip Cardigan is made from substantial four-ply cashmere, weighing approximately 500 grams (a little more than a pound). That’s serious sweater territory. But the relaxed drape and clean zip-front design keep it looking refined rather than oversized.   

Think of it as the piece you throw on for a weekend coffee run, a long lunch, or a winter getaway. On milder days, it can stand in for a jacket. When temperatures really plummet, it becomes an exceptionally comfortable layer beneath your coat.

Then there’s the Goatskin Suede Bomber. Frankly, we’re obsessed.  

Handcrafted in Veneto from supple goatskin suede, it’s a sophisticated take on one of menswear’s most enduring silhouettes. The details do the heavy lifting. A pure cashmere-lined upright collar, premium viscose fabric lining, and double snap buttons and cuffs.

Throw it over a cashmere crew neck with chinos and you’ve got an outfit that works for just about anything short of black-tie. 

It’s the kind of jacket that doesn’t need to announce how expensive it looks. Which, of course, is exactly why it does.

There are two kinds of winter hats. The ones you wear because you’re cold. And the ones you actually want to wear. 

Luca Faloni’s Cashmere Baseball Cap manages to be both.

Made from 100% brushed cashmere, it takes the familiar six-panel silhouette and gives it a decidedly luxurious upgrade. The soft finish adds texture with a unique “beaver” finish to prevent pilling, while a cashmere-lined elasticated back strap keeps things comfortable.

It’s an easy finishing touch for a suede bomber or chunky cardigan. Casual enough for a Saturday morning coffee, refined enough that you won’t feel the need to take it off the second you walk indoors.

The Art of Wearing Less, Better

The secret to great winter style isn’t owning more clothes. It’s owning the right ones.

A handful of beautifully made shirts. A few cashmere sweaters that work with everything. One great jacket. Pieces that can be mixed, matched, and layered without requiring a degree in menswear.

Because winter is already complicated enough.