A North East winter is not one temperature. It is a cold morning, a warm shop, a wet walk back to the car and a pub with the heating on full. One big coat cannot handle all of that. Three good layers can.

Here is how we layer, using what is on the shelves this season.

Layer one: a proper tee

Everything starts with a cotton tee that sits flat and does not bunch under the rest. The Carhartt WIP Small Heart T-Shirt is our go-to. It is organic cotton, it has a small chest detail rather than a big logo, and it looks fine on its own once the jacket comes off indoors.

Keep it simple. Black, white or grey. The layers on top are where the interest goes.

Layer two: fleece or sweat

This is the layer that does most of the work, and it depends on the day.

On dry, cold days, go fleece. The Carhartt WIP Edmore Jacket is a polyester fleece with a zip front. Fleece traps warmth without weight, so you can wear it under a shell or on its own for a quick walk out.

On grey, in-between days, go sweat. The Hooded Mack Jacket is a zip-up sweat in a cotton blend, and it has a matching Mack Sweat Pant. Wear the set together on a day off, or split it: the hoodie under a coat, the pants with trainers.

Layer three: the puffer

When the wind comes in off the coast, you need something that blocks it. The Carhartt WIP Ardon Jacket is a padded puffer in nylon ripstop, which shrugs off drizzle and does not tear easily. It goes straight over a fleece or a hoodie without feeling tight.

If you prefer canvas to nylon, the OG Active Jacket does the same job with a more workwear look. It is hard-wearing cotton canvas, quilted inside, with a hood. It is heavier, and it will last for years.

The finishing pieces

• A beanie. You lose more heat through your head than you think.
• The Blevin Mask. A fleece balaclava from Carhartt WIP in a black tree camo. It is for the properly cold days, or for anyone who cycles or walks to work.
• Thick socks. Cold feet ruin a day faster than anything.

The short version

Tee, then fleece or sweat, then puffer or canvas. Take a layer off indoors, put it back on outside. That is the whole system, and it beats buying one massive coat you are too warm in the moment you get inside.

Shop the full Carhartt WIP Fall/Winter 26 collection, with free UK delivery on orders over £100.