Nubby, shiny material familiar to varsity athletes surprisingly made sense on a coat that was paired with a goatskin collar shawl, lace-inset blouse and stretch-wool seamed pants.

WSJ: Weather's silver lining: coat comfort on runways

For fall, a puff-sleeved Chantilly lace dress looks traditionally sweet, but the floral embroidery is actually heavy wool, almost like an exoskeleton.

WSJ: All the Ladies | Making It