Fall fashion centers on layered outerwear and barn jackets

As the weather cools, retailers and stylists say shoppers are overhauling closets for a season defined by layering, with barn jackets, polo sweaters and quilted outerwear among the standout pieces gaining momentum this autumn. Fashion editors and stores report brisk demand for versatile jackets and a renewed focus on signature knitwear as consumers prepare for unpredictable temperatures and rainy days.

Designers and editors point to a revival of preppy silhouettes, notably the polo sweater, which has been updated in cashmere and open-knits and promoted by brands such as Reformation and La Ligne. Knitwear roundups highlight perennial favorites returning in refreshed forms: sweater vests layered over turtlenecks, investment cashmere cardigans, chunky cableknits inspired by fishing-club Aran tradition, and colorful Fair Isle prints. Styling advice shared by trend writers includes wearing a cardigan with the middle buttons secured for a modern look and pairing cableknit sweaters with oversized blazers and loafers.

On the outerwear front, the barn jacket has emerged as an "it" jacket, with retailers reporting surging interest in relaxed, workwear-inspired designs. Celebrity stylings...