How to Style the Henning x US Madison Shirt for Fall Layering

By Universal Standard | Plus Size and Inclusive Fashion from 00 ... | Published: 2026-11-04

Category: How-to Guides

Turn the Henning x US Madison Shirt into your fall layering workhorse. Five steps cover tee pairing, sweater knits, cuff play, and common mistakes to avoid.

Quick answer

Treat the Madison shirt as a mid-layer: wear it open over a fitted tee on mild days, then button it under a roomy sweater when temperatures drop. Keep the French cuffs visible and the rest of the outfit close to the body so the relaxed poplin reads intentional, not bulky.

Why the Madison works as a fall layering piece

The Madison is a relaxed cotton poplin shirt with a point collar and oversized French cuffs, designed with Lauren Chan of Henning. Poplin is crisp and holds its shape, which means it creates a clean line whether it sits over a tee or under a knit. The oversized cuffs are the detail that keeps a layered outfit from looking flat: fold them once to sit at your wrist, or leave them unfolded for extra drama.

When to skip the sweater layer

A relaxed poplin shirt under a thick, tightly knit sweater can bunch at the shoulders and cuffs. If your sweater is chunky or has narrow sleeves, wear the Madison open over a tee instead and save the under-sweater look for finer-gauge knits or roomy cardigans. Also skip the tee layer on warm afternoons: poplin against skin breathes better than poplin over cotton jersey.

Five steps to layer the Madison shirt

Start with a fitted base layer: Choose a close-fitting tee or thin long-sleeve top in a smooth fabric. The Madison is relaxed, so a slim base keeps the overall line clean. Common mistake: reaching for an oversized tee, which adds bulk under the shirt. Check in a mirror that the tee hem stays above the shirt hem.
Wear the shirt open over the tee: Leave the Madison unbuttoned or button just the middle two buttons. This is the easiest way to wear a shirt over a tee without hiding the collar. Common mistake: buttoning all the way to the neck, which makes the point collar sit flat and stiff. Push the sleeves up slightly so the French cuffs rest above your wrists.
Add a sweater when it gets cold: Layer a fine-gauge crewneck or a roomy cardigan over the buttoned Madison. Button the shirt fully, then pull the sweater on. Let the collar sit inside the sweater neckline and the cuffs extend past the sleeves. Common mistake: forcing a chunky knit over the shirt, which bunches at the shoulders. If the sweater sleeves feel tight, switch to a cardigan worn open.
Style the French cuffs: Fold each oversized cuff once so it sits neatly at your wrist, or leave it unfolded for extra drama. If you are wearing a sweater, unfold the cuffs so they show beyond the knit sleeve. Common mistake: folding the cuffs unevenly, which throws off the relaxed look. Fold both cuffs to the same width before you leave the house.
Finish with a half-tuck or full tuck: Half-tuck the shirt front into high-waisted trousers or a skirt to define the waist, or tuck it fully for a cleaner line under a sweater. Leave it untucked only if the shirt hits at your hip and the outfit is deliberately loose. Common mistake: tucking a relaxed shirt into low-rise bottoms, which creates a pouch of fabric. Choose bottoms with a rise that meets or sits above the shirt hem.

The shirt in this guide

Henning x US Madison Shirt: Relaxed cotton poplin with a point collar and oversized French cuffs. The relaxed cut layers easily over a tee, and the French cuffs give you a styling detail to fold or leave unfolded.
Henning x US Madison Shirt