The Subtle Art Of Layering

Its about that time

We are at the point in the year where the weather is as reliable as a tabloid horoscope. This means it’s time to brush up on your layering skills.

In order to get it right, you need to be willing to throw disparate items together while being cognizant of color and texture. The key is, your outfit should work whenever you add of remove a layer.

In the functional sense, the purpose of layering is to allow you to adapt to your environment. Therefore, your layers should be easily removeable. A cardigan makes for an ideal layering piece because it can quickly be dispensed of in case of sudden sun. As does an oversized coat, it offers ample room for layers underneath and can also be easily shrugged off.

For the more daring and innovative dressers, layering is a chance to get creative with your look. A layered look that seems a little thrown together is not a bad thing. Adding an unexpected piece can really elevate your outfit to a more visually interesting level. Easy way to accomplish this? Consider various textures. Layer a wool coat over a leather jacket (the unexpected piece) that’s layered over a cashmere sweater that’s layered over a cotton tee - gold.

Similarly, you can create something visually stimulating by layering different colors.

If this sounds intimidating, just pick two colors; a main color and an accent color. Use your main color in varying intensities and the use your accent color within your accessories.

The neckline is a great place to show off your layering skills, as it’s where all of your layers come together most visibly (and practically speaking, its an area that requires protection from the cold). There are so many ways to do this, see below.

A more subtle, but equally as powerful, layering spot could be at the wrist. Cuff stacking creates some interesting visual depth in an unexpected place and I’m into it.

Now, to be a bit more impractical but fun - stack your shirts. This has been trending with the cool fashion crowd since the spring, but it didn’t make much sense to me at the time. Probably because I live in Texas and spring, as well as, the subsequent season is equivocal to hell on Earth. But it’s fall now and the weather is much more appropriate for such a style nuance.

At the end of the day, your layered look should seem casual and be comfortable. There are very few ways you can go wrong, so have fun.

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Below I have linked some of my favorite layering pieces for fall. Just to note, this is me assuming your fall weather where you live is 70’s-50’ degress Fahrenheit, so I am leaving out the wool coats and turtlenecks and such for now, k.