The Cheap-As-Hell Layer That’ll Help You Win Fall

On the most dastardly days of late fall, when you wake up achy and frigid and physically unable to roll out from under your duvet, you're going to need some waffles. We don't mean the edible kind—though, come to think of it, a piping hot stack of Eggos would probably do wonders for your seasonal affective disorder, too. We're talking about thermal waffle knits, specifically engineered to pack in heat, bring some burly structure and punchy texture your fits, and feel downright sublime against your skin. 

You're probably most familiar seeing those grid-like ridges on the base layers you wore hiking and skiing as a kid, and those old-school long-sleeved tees are still just as practical and relevant as ever: tuck one into your jeans, throw a heavy flannel and a puffer over top, and you've got yourself an unimpeachable cold-weather ensemble. But these days, designers are using waffle knits of all widths and densities in a wider range of silhouettes than ever before—great news for anybody who likes to stay warm, stylish, and comfortable all fall long. Whether you're in need of a cozy, enveloping hoodie, an office-ready turtleneck, or a just a trusty wear-anywhere undershirt, there's a waffled-up version out there ready and raring to make your acquaintance. 

To prove it, we gathered up a wardrobe's worth of options to slip into now through April—though, given how damn good this stuff feels to wear, you'll probably want to keep 'em in the rotation long past spring thaw.