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3 Winter Layering Tips
Hiya! I thought I would be seasonal for this blog and discuss 3 of my creative layering techniques that can make outfits fun and individual and still keep you cosy and warm this Winter.
1. Tops in new ways
Let’s start at the top with tops.
Tops with long sleeves can be worn under pretty much anything and don’t need to be hidden. You can make them purposeful pieces you want to show off. Don’t be embarrassed of a heat-tech from Uniqlo. They come in all sorts of colours and thicknesses and can be a great colourful addition to an outfit.
Choose a colour that goes with the print of whatever you’ve put over it for a nice coheesive look. Chosen well and it’ll look like it was made to be together even if it’s from two completely different brands. But in reality you’re just a great stylist.
Monochrome an outfit
It can also be nice to have an all one colour outfit – we call that monochrome. Odd right? I was brought up thinking monochrome is black and white but you can use this expression for wearing all one colour. A blue turtleneck, shirt, tucked into jeans and blue shoes for example. You’ll look really tall like one long line of colour.
You can also wear a short sleeved top or shirt over a long sleeved top for that 90’s grunge feel. No need to put away that Hawaiian shirt you loved all Summer!
Spice up your fabric choices
Have a real play with fabrics and textures. See-through items over other ones create a whole new fabric impression that’s unique to you. Like you’ve made a whole new top without sewing anything. Lots of people in the world have clothes from Zara but what you do with it is what will make it your own. Setting you apart from everyone else!
I’ve said this before but a white shirt is a really great classic piece to own. Currently all the cool kids are playing with them as a layering item. You can wear it in so many other ways than with a tie under a suit. Open and over a jumper, under a dress, under a corset. There are so many possibilites.
2. Dresses are versatile
Over and under
Like the Hawaiian shirt, your favourite summer dresses don’t have to be put away just because it’s gotten a little chilly outside.
Jumpers can be worn over dresses to create the illusion of wearing a skirt. So much comfier right? You could be wearing a heat-tech, dress and jumper and be so toasty. Then get a little hot, take the jumper off and still look fabulous.
As well as wearing tops under the dress like your turtlneck, t-shirt, thin jumpers and shirts. You can also wear more than just tights under that dress. How about a knee high sock? I personally find tights too tight on the tummy so this is ideal. A lot of the time a sock is thicker and warmer than a tight.
00’s layering
Why not wear a pair of trousers under your dress. I mentioned in my fashion week YouTube video that I saw a lot of designers pairing the dress with a trouser and I thought it was really smart. Not only is it really warm, it will give your outfit a cool unique edge. We were doing this a lot in the 2000’s and I think it’s definitely going to start becoming more mainstream again.
A short dress or over a trouser will create a cool sillhouette and if you have a button down dress, you can open it up and it’s like you have a big flowy cape.
Skirts and dresses over dresses!?
I also saw dresses over dresses in the runways and I think that’s another great idea for the Winter. A thinner dress over a thicker one will warm it up and you can play with opening up buttoned or zipped ones to reveal another one. Like with the tops, you’ve made something fresh and new.
Wearing a shorter dress over a longer one will also make a summer dress warmer for you in the colder days and it’s like having a fun extra hem! Like with tops, it can be really intentional. Say you have a dress with white flowers, put a white dress under it and it looks like it’s all one. Stick a belt over that and it’ll highlight your waist and really take it to the next level.
You could put a pleated skirt under that dress for a really cool effect too. Look a bit weird? Try tucking the dress into the skirt and or trouser and it’s become a top now. So many possibilities. You can tuck just a little bit into the waist line if the fabric is too much and it’s a nice way not to get swamped by too much fabric.
This way if you’re short on cash and you’d like to shop for more winter clothes, it’s like you’ve got new clothes by adding more outfits into your repertoire.
3. Double jackets
Something I struggle with as a petite person is jackets. I always looked swamped in a puffer jacket or long coat so how do I keep warm in the Winter?
Other than buying cropped ones or kids ones, I try layering up jackets that I love. Now this can sound annoying but once you’ve found combinations that work for you, they are really easy to wear. You can put them on or take them off as one. Also hide things in the inner pockets – more pockets!
Tell me how?!
The secret to this is like the under tops, having intention with layering. If you have a collar that you think is cool, try putting that jacket under one with a less interesting collar and letting the best one poke up. Jacket upgrade and extra warmth – win win.
Think about fabrics and textures but also you need to try them to see which one can take being over another jacket. Sometimes they don’t have the room for it.
There are a few types of jackets which I believe are great classic pieces everyone should own. Denim jackets, biker jackets, fluffy jackets, a smart coat and a down jacket.
These all make fantastic layering pieces. Denim being thin can take a lot over it. Biker jackets are great under things as the big lapel looks really cool poking out of any jacket. It makes any jacket over it a biker jacket in that way. Fluffy jackets are best over the top, the are too thick for a jacket over it so they are always the star.
Down jackets can also be great for warmth but perhaps look a put too sporty. Thin enough down jackets can be a good hidden layer or even worn over a leather or denim jacket they take on a whole new alternative style.
The cardigan….
Cardigans can also be worn as jackets or even over them. Isn’t it annoying when you want to wear a thick cardigan but it’s too tight under your biker jacket? Pop it on top! It’ll look really cool and grungy and it’s like wearing a thin wool coat warmth wise.
As always, I recommend stepping outside when trying coat combinations to see if what you’ve put together is warm enough for you. And taking photos you can refer to that perhaps go in a Pinterest board you can refer to next year. If you’ve worn a combination of jackets enough, you’ll probably end up with them on the hanger in your house that way honestly!
I hope you enjoyed this blog! I personally believe good clothes have lots of possibilities. Whether that’s occasions or seasons, you just have to get creative and try things on when you have the time or you’ll never know.
Need help? Book a free discovery call with me and we can have a chat about how we can design the perfect Wardrobe Edit for you for the season ahead.
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