The season for changing clothes is drawing near. Staff outfit ideas featuring three-quarter sleeve tops for coping with shifting temperatures

Now that we've made it through the brutal summer heat and mid-September has arrived, the weather has started to feel more comfortable. Twice a year, as spring turns to summer and summer turns to autumn, we go through a season of transition when deciding what to wear can be tricky. I'm Staff F, and every year I find myself struggling to dress appropriately for the changing climate. Lately, though, on days when I can't decide what to wear, I've come to rely completely on three-quarter sleeve tops and cardigans. In this article, we'll take a look at three-quarter sleeve tops, which come in so handy during the shift from short-sleeve summer to long-sleeve autumn, and explore ways to dress comfortably and stylishly through this seasonal transition.

First, let me introduce a three-quarter sleeve cotton sweater top. It's the OVERSIZED T-SHIRT from Nido, an Argentine brand that knits its garments using hand-operated wooden knitting machines. Let me explain why this top is far more than just an oversized knit.

▲Paired with relaxing wear for a loose, easygoing look.

The appeal of a cotton knit lies in its texture against the skin, its comfortable fit, and how easily it creates a relaxed, effortless look.

There are two ways to knit cotton yarn: one that knits the stitches tightly together, leaving no gaps, and another that deliberately leaves a bit of space between them. This OVERSIZED T-SHIRT is knit using the latter method. The result is a fabric that looks orderly but not overly so, with a knit texture full of character.

▲The texture varies depending on the knitting method (left: Nido, right: YONETOMI NEW BASIC)

The reason Nido's knitwear has such character is that it's ”knit directly by the hands of skilled artisans.” Each piece is made far from Japan, in Argentina, and it's said that a single artisan can only finish about 10 garments in a day. Mass-produced items guarantee a certain level of quality, but in the process we tend to forget the warmth of the human touch that comes through in handmade objects. It's nice to be reminded, every now and then, of the special quality that comes from an item passing from one person's hands to another.

When you pick it up, it's immediately clear just how meticulous the work is. The subtle irregularities and slight individuality in the stitches almost let you picture the artisan adjusting the machine bit by bit, click by click, as each piece is knit. It's a cotton knit that somehow conveys real warmth, don't you think?

The fabric isn't quite sheer, but it's highly breathable and feels very light to wear. Thanks to its oversized silhouette, it doesn't cling to the body, and I really love how it lets you dress in a relaxed, easygoing way.

The texture is gentle and smooth against the skin, almost as if it melts into it. One of the charm points of the OVERSIZED T-SHIRT that Staff F particularly recommends is the way the hem curls up softly.

Because it's oversized, the silhouette falls straight down, but this softly curled hem adds a sense of movement to the shape. It might look like a subtle design touch, but it brings out a hint of sweetness, giving the top a mysterious appeal that feels relaxed yet still feminine.

Here's how I styled it

▼Dressed up for a stylish day out.

▲Paired with a polished skirt, perfect for a day off when you want to dress up and go out.

Skirt: Combination Skirt CLAY RED&CARRIGAHORIG, Shoes: M Clog TEXAS 2020 LEATHER BLACK

It's a casual cotton knit, but on days when you want to dress up a bit, pairing it with a skirt lets you go out looking polished. Since it's soft and lightweight, you can also wear it tucked in.

▼On slightly chilly days, layer on a jacket

▲Once it starts to feel a bit chilly, we also recommend layering on a jacket.

Jacket: F2410 COVER ALL, Pants: Cotton Sateen Army Pants, Shoes: Coin Loafers, Brown

The beige color goes well with any season's wardrobe. Pairing it with autumn-toned, menswear-inspired pants creates a cool, put-together look for this cotton knit.

This autumn is forecast to be warmer than usual, meaning the window for wearing autumn-style long sleeves will be shorter, but by incorporating autumn colors into three-quarter sleeve tops, you can enjoy seasonal fashion a little longer. This is the Izmir Cotton Fleece-Back Pullover, made to help you enjoy just that kind of autumn coordination. Because the fabric has a heathered, richly textured color, it adds definition to your outfit all on its own.

▲A three-quarter sleeve top in a dusty purple that also carries a touch of autumn.

One of the delightful things about this pullover is that it's made from "urakeba" (裏毛/loop-back jersey) fabric. Loop-back jersey is a material recommended for early autumn through winter—its reverse side resembles a towel, giving it excellent moisture absorption and sweat-wicking properties. While the fluffy brushed-back fabric traps body heat to keep you warm, loop-back jersey also has the ability to release body heat appropriately. This means that even if you work up a sweat on a day when some warmth still lingers in the air, heat won't get trapped inside—making it perfectly suited for the current and coming season. It's a wonderful pullover you can keep wearing through winter by layering it up.

▲Loop-back jersey has a dry touch, making it wearable even in the sweatier season (left is loop-back jersey: ZUTTO, right is brushed-back fleece: HAVERSACK)

The material used is Izmir cotton, grown in the Izmir region of Turkey. Cotton raised in this beautiful city overlooking the Aegean Sea has long individual fibers, resulting in a high-quality cotton material characterized by its soft texture and lustrous sheen. With just the right thickness and stable stretch, it also offers an extremely comfortable feel when worn.

The wide, roomy silhouette is charming, and by giving the hem a front-back difference to create a slight drape, the piece achieves a fashionable feel that suits grown-ups even while retaining the casual impression of a sweatshirt. Staff member F's favorite point is how lovely it looks from the side—the silhouette billows out softly when worn as-is, which is quite charming.

Here are some ways we styled it

▼A thoroughly casual picnic style.

▲Casual with overalls. Folding up the sleeves reveals the white loop-back jersey fabric on the inside.

Bottoms: UP190302 Zip Overall, Shoes: Coin Loafer Brown

Since it has just the right thickness while keeping bulk to a minimum, it can also be paired with overalls. What's nice is that you can enjoy an unaffected, natural style, and since it makes the wrists look lovely, the three-quarter length sleeves pair wonderfully with accessories like wristwatches, bracelets, and rings.

▼A traditional look with some cold-weather protection.

▲Paired with a traditional check skirt for a feminine style. Great for cold protection too.

Jacket: MARKET Jacket, Skirt: EASY KILT LONG (81cm) GRAIGUEHESHIA, Shoes: Coin Loafer Brown

Since the Izmir Cotton Loop-Back Pullover has a roomy fit overall that doesn't cling to the body, we also recommend pairing it with an oversized outer layer for chilly-day outings. The muted, azuki-bean-like color serves as an accent to any coordination while also being easy to match with other jackets and bottoms, making it a valuable piece for this season. With its charmingly loose fit and eye-catching stitching along the hem and sleeves, this is the Izmir Cotton Loop-Back Pullover.