When the temperature drops, it’s tempting to swap your shirts, dresses, and skirts for massive jumpers, padded coats and woolly hats. Cosy, yes… but stylish? Not always.
Sticking to your style during the winter months can be tricky, but there is a way to keep your wardrobe working when the weather’s chilly – layering.
A few well-placed layers will extend the life of your chiffon blouses and floaty skirts way past those warmer days. And we don’t mean just throw a coat over your outfit and hope for the best. Layering is an art and doing it right will make your outfit shine, rather than cover it up.
What is layering?
Layering is the most recommended style technique for Autumn/Winter to achieve both cosiness and adaptability. We’ve all been there; enduring in an icy cold walk to work, only to be blasted by the heater and suddenly feeling roasting.
The process of layering allows you to construct a bespoke outfit using multiple pieces of clothing, that you can take off and add on as you meander through your day.
How to layer clothes
How to layer clothes for cold weather? When it comes to the “how”, there are a couple of things to bear in mind. The last thing you want to do is layer up for a day date and then feel uncomfortable, restricted, or “bulky”.
The premise of layering consists of a base layer, a middle layer, and an outer layer. A beautifully layered outfit is balanced with different material weights, colours, and patterns.
The key is to maximise comfort and style by dressing to cover many eventualities. Combine multiple classic lightweight layers and choose a couple of standout pieces to set the tone.
The key is to maximise comfort and style by dressing to cover many eventualities. Combine multiple classic lightweight layers and choose a couple of standout pieces to set the tone.
Check out our essential steps to keeping warm without compromising on your style.
Start with a cosy base
Base layers are the foundation of any winter outfit worth its salt, get this bit right, and you’ll be toasty all day long. On milder days, popping a vest on under your top or jumper will probably be enough, but when the wind is really biting, it’s time to get serious.
Look for long-sleeve thermal tops in very fine fabrics – they’re invisible under clothing but hold in the heat to keep you warm. If you’re wearing trousers, thermal or temperature control leggings are another good option to keep in the warmth.
Consider merino wool
Whilst we want the base layer to be warm, the last thing we want is to feel clammy. So what’s the best material to look for? Choose a base layer made from Merino wool.
This is a totally natural material, which provides breathability and temperature control. Merino wool is also odour resistant, so is a great choice for a base layer close to the skin.
Save bare legs for summer
We’re calling it – bare legs are over for the next six months. Yes, even at the office Christmas party. It’s cold out there! Pair your favourite skirts with these cosy thermal tights instead, or, try layering your favourite dresses over skinny jeans for a boho look.
Classic, pleated skirts are such an autumnal staple, but unless the length works, they can often be cast aside in the height of winter.
We love combining thermal leggings with a mid or knee-high boot, and a longer pleated skirt. The movement from the skirt offers breathability if needed and means you don’t have to compromise your feminine style and feel the cold!
Put your knitwear to work
We often think knitwear is the finishing touch to an outfit, but it works just as well as a layering piece. If you’re wondering how to layer winter clothing and not just thin layers, you’re in the right place. A fine knit polo neck will transform a low-cut blouse into a cosy winter outfit, while a cropped jumper, can be layered over a short-sleeved dress to keep out the chill.
Knitwear is so versatile, coming in many shapes and styles. From chunky waistcoats and long dresses to cardis and jumpers, the list is endless. The beauty of knitted clothing is that it looks great over-sized, which is both pretty and practical after an evening of autumnal feasting.
Choosing the ultimate coat or jacket
1. Protect yourself from the elements
Finding the ideal coat to crown your luxe layered look is essential. Your coat is the final outer layer, and as such needs to protect you from the elements. Select a coat that is windproof and waterproof to make sure the other layers can do the job of temperature control.
2. Trap in the heat
Another thing to consider is the length. Mid-length coats are on trend, and when it comes to warmth - the longer the better. By opting for a longer coat that covers all the way down to the crook of your knees, you’ll trap more heat and enjoy that welcome sense of comfort when you put it on.
Padded coats and jackets are super popular this season, due to the cocoon effect you experience by benefitting from the layers of warm insulation.
3. Material is key
If you want to invest in a padded coat, make sure you check out the filling; down insulation has excellent heat retention, and makes your coat easier to compress and pack small. This natural filling does make it quite tricky to clean as they don’t tend to be machine washable.
A synthetic insulation option is often a lot cheaper than down, and easier to clean, but can make your item a lot heavier. For layering purposes, don’t forget to aim for a lightweight coat as this will make it a lot easier when taking it on and off.
If in doubt, add another pair of socks
Whether it’s under your tights, over your first pair, or ones that come up to your knees – never underestimate the warming power of extra socks. If admittedly, you aren’t the most adventurous when it comes to your clothing colours, then a funky pair of socks might be more your bag.
Keeping your feet warm is more beneficial than you might realise; it improves your circulation to keep the rest of the body warm.
Cotton socks are the most breathable so would be great as a base layer if you plan to wear a couple of pairs. Chunky wool socks are perfect to add another layer of warmth too. If you always feel cold on your feet, consider sizing up your winter boots so that you can pair them with your favourite cosy socks.
It’s all about the accessories
Autumn is all about accessorising with the classics - hats, scarves and gloves. Those not abreast with a hat and scarf combo may be put off by the idea of a thick woolly hat squishing down your hair and cheeks. But, if you find the right one, a hat can compliment your overall look.
Oval face shape
We recommend choosing a hat that suits your face shape. If you have an oval-shaped face, you can get away with pretty much any style of hat! Fedoras, beanies or berets - it’s your choice.
Heart-shaped face
If you have a smaller, heart-shaped face then a medium-sized hat is a great choice; think of anything without a large brim.
Round shaped face
For a rounder face shape, asymmetry is your friend. Baker boy hats, baseball caps and snapbacks are a great shout here! If your aim is simply keeping cosy, wool beanies and berets are a perfect option.
When pairing your hat with scarves and gloves, we love to mix it up. Consider the size and scale of each item; if you’re wearing a statement wide-brimmed hat, you may wish to counter with a chic silk scarf. Or if you’ve opted for an oversized scarf, a sleek beret would complement this well.
Do the same with pattern and block colour - it’s all relative to what you’re wearing underneath these outer accessories. If your principal outfit is plain, jazz it up with a checked scarf and some cute mittens. If you’ve chosen to wear a lot of colours, a classic pair of leather gloves is a great muted extra.
Choosing a larger scarf means this can double as a shawl or blanket for your lap - your accessories can add both drama and versatility to your look!
The bottom line
Let’s recap. There are three parts to layering in the winter to keep weather resistant. Begin with a base layer that will keep you dry, a middle layer to keep you warm, and an outer layer to protect you.
One example of this is stacking a knitted jumper onto a thermal t-shirt, as these two materials will lock in the heat whilst maintaining a healthy body temperature in cold weather. Top the outfit off with a water-resistant wax jacket or raincoat.
Consider the weight (and material) of each layer, and whether you’ll be walking around a lot so that you don’t end up stripping off and carrying your outerwear more than you actually wear it!
You’ll never be left wondering how to layer clothes for winter again, nor will you risk over or underdressed for the unpredictable elements! Ready to get layering and want to start with some classic pieces?
Find the perfect knitwear options in our expert list of knitwear must-haves and get your wardrobe winter-ready today.
