I'm a fashion editor, but I don't know how to properly layer my fall jackets. Either I misjudge the strength of a photogenic but poorly insulated coat, or I mismatch a bulky sweater with a burn jacket and suffer the consequences of overheating. But I'm glad that Katie Holmes and Suri Cruz have given me some fall jacket layering tips that I can follow from now until Christmas.

The mother-daughter duo silently showed off their fall layering skills during a stroll through Manhattan on Thursday, October 17. This was the first time the two had reunited in public since Suri left for college over the summer, giving us a glimpse into their styling techniques for the changing seasons.

Katie Holmes replaced her quilted jacket with a Frankie Shoppe camel coat this October. She paired it with a gray sweat suit, chunky pony sneakers, and a white Bevza tote bag. The power shoulders of the longline coat also matched the evening gown she wore to the Broadway premiere of “Our Town” last week. Worn over a loose-fitting (and lightweight) matching set, it provides the juxtaposition needed for her easygoing errand attire.

Suri Cruz clearly inherited her mother's styling genes. She inherited Katie Holmes' oversized, casual-cool look, pairing an exaggerated denim trucker jacket lined with white sherpa fleece with twill navy pants and leather Chelsea boots.

The texture of Cruz's jacket draws on the layering expertise of his hand-me-downs. The jacket's fleece lining made it comfortable and warm, requiring only a T-shirt to be worn underneath.

From a distance, it's hard to tell what the two caught up on during their walk (Holmes probably told his daughter all about the relaxed denim trend and slingback flats he tried on). At this distance, at least you know you don't need a thick layer under your lined jacket.