A Men’s Guide To Layering Clothes

We’re well and truly in the grips of winter, and staying warm is as much of a priority as looking good. But as we know, winter style is all about going from the extremes of a cold and windy street (without freezing) to the warmth of an office or house (without perspiring).

The key to thermal equilibrium whatever the winter throws at you? Layering.

 

Everybody knows how to layer clothes for a hike or a workout, but getting it right in the office or other, more formal, occasions, can be tricky. In our men’s guide to layering, we’ll take you through the top tricks for layering to stay warm and stylish.

 

Layering is a styling technique whereby you construct an outfit made up of layers of different items, with each piece serving a different function as part of the overall look.

This doesn’t mean you have to add bulk to your frame with chunky fabrics - the key to stylish layering for men in winter is to start thin and work your way up depending on your warmth requirements.

 

Layering clothes is also a great way to reuse items from your wardrobe in different ways. That lightweight summer v-neck jumper suddenly becomes a winter staple when you layer it over a shirt and t-shirt base layer. The possibilities are endless.

 

For stylish office-wear or the perfect ensemble for a hot date, we recommend focusing on four main aspects of layering.

 

Choosing the right layers to sit next to your skin is essential - opt for lightweight, breathable materials stops you feeling hot and sweaty as the fabric can help to wick moisture away from your skin, while keeping you warm in cooler weather.

 

Throwing on a light shirt over your base layer takes you from ‘casual’ to ‘smart-casual’ in a single step.

Button up to the neck for a cool, modern look that will hide all traces of your base t-shirt (and set you up if you need to wear a tie) or opt for a casual open neck policy with a hint of white tee for a classic relaxed vibe.

 

Next step? Choose a soft knit jumper or cardigan to go over your shirt, adding a touch of class and style to your outfit.

Fabrics like cashmere or lambswool will keep you warm when you need it without making you sweat indoors, so it’s worth investing in a quality knit. This is also a great way to add a colour pop to your look.

A good quality coat can last you a lifetime, so this is the place to spend that bit of extra cash.

A lined, wool-mix coat with a classic cut is a ‘wear everywhere’ piece - you can dress it up with a formal suit, throw it on over chinos and a shirt for a cool take on office wear or team it with jeans and a polo neck for a pared-down winter look.

Let’s talk fabrics.

 

The most important thing to remember when discovering how to layer clothes, is choosing your items wisely. You’re not going to start with a waterproof layer right next to your skin, for example. 

 

The majority of menswear items (that aren’t coats or jackets) are going to be made from a similar collection of fabrics; cotton, wool or a blend. These are classics for a reason - but within these staples there are all kinds of different weaves and finishes that will lend a different weight, thickness and texture to the garment. Just because your clothes are made from the same material does not mean they will look the same. Keep an eye out for different finishes and textures to change up the basics with a luxe twist.

 

A great way to break out from these classic fabric fibres is to blend a sportswear vibe into your outerwear. Tip a nod to the ‘athleisure’ trend when layering, with a sports jacket or waterproof coat in a modern, technical fabric for a top layer that will keep you warm and on-trend.

 

If you don’t want to run the risk of your base layer being spotted, a simple cotton vest will give you that added warmth while remaining invisible under your shirt.

A vest will show silhouettes under lightweight fabric tees or shirts, though, so choose your next layer wisely. A stiffer cotton fabric shirt or denim mix will hide the lines of a vest or tee base layer.

As always, the key to adding colour to your outfit is to use tonal shades, or make it a statement colour pop; but layering allows you to work in a few tones, shades or prints into one unified look.

Layering with neutrals between colourful items breaks up the colour noise. Dark neutrals are always popular in winter but lighter shades can add a fresh, revisited touch to an old ensemble. For those more nervous of colour, by its nature, layering means you can cover up some of the bolder hues or patterns under jumpers or jackets.

Accessories are the finishing touch to any layered outfit. From a smart woollen scarf to leather gloves or a felt hat or beanie, winter accessories are the perfect way to take your outfit from indoor to outdoor.

Choose your accessories with caution, though - if you’re already sporting multiple layers, particularly in bold colours or textures, too many additional pieces can turn your outfit from effortless chic to overdressed in a flash.

 

Just because the weather outside is frightful, doesn’t mean you need to be bundled up in ski jackets and bobble hats. Looking chic in cooler temperatures doesn’t mean you have to freeze; simply adopt our layering techniques and you’ll be that guy whose style co-workers covet… and you’ll be warm, too.

 

Browse our full menswear collection now to choose your layering favourites.