How to layer your clothing for easy winter layering
As a Personal Stylist based in London, the main focus I have with my styling clients is winter layering. Throughout my wardrobe edits and when I take clients Personal Shopping in London, I teach how to layer items they already own or how by buying specific layering essentials for their wardrobes they can achieve effortless layering without turning into the Michelin man! - Think of the classic episode of Friends where Joey wears all of Chandler's clothes - ‘Could I be wearing any more clothes?!’
What is layering your clothes?
Layering means wearing a number of different layers of clothing, rather than one or two bulky items. We naturally turn to bulky layering because it's less to think about but actually, it's to the detriment of honoring and enhancing our body shape. Layering means that clothes can be put on and taken off when necessary, to keep a comfortable temperature.
Keeping a comfortable body temperature in winter is tricky, especially in London where I work as a Personal Stylist. It's difficult because as soon as we leave our warm homes and head out to work the temperature changes and we instantly feel the cold. By the time you get to the office/pub/friend’s house you are too hot and you feel sticky and uncomfortable.
How do I layer my clothes?
Layering your clothes may feel a tad overwhelming to start because It is slightly different for everyone. It varies because of our body shapes and style personalities. If you aren't sure about your shape or style check out my body shape and style personality blogs linked.
A simple example of layering is a cami or thermal vest that you wear directly on your skin above your underwear. Next up is a long-sleeved top or bodysuit. The neckline will vary depending on what your shape needs.
Top Tip - make sure you tuck your cami and long top into your bottoms to avoid bulk and a messy hemline
Next up is a thin to medium knit, this could be a cool cardi or jumper. Choose a cropped length or no longer than the top of your hipline. If you are wearing a blouse or a top with amazing sleeves or details, I suggest a Vneck knitted vest - this will keep your body warm and look absolutely fabulous. This will also work dresses too. Then add a lovely jacket. This could be a blazer for work or a cool leather jacket.
Top Tip; Wear your jackets open, this elongates your frame so you have the bonus of added illusion of height and it hides any side areas you may not feel confident with.
If you are wearing a dress or skirt, you can choose some leather or pleather leggings to add extra warmth - you might even have room in them to add a tight if super cold. Plus wear some thick or thermal socks over your tights for an added layer. If leather is not your vibe, thick wool or high denier tights will keep you cosy-ish.
Top Tip; I suggest buying winter shoes with a touch of extra space for thicker socks.
If you are wearing wide-leg trousers you can wear tights under but be weary of overheating!! I suggest normal socks and then some thicker ones you can remove if you do get warm! Finish off with a coat that follows your body shape.
Top Tip - If you have curves, you need a coat that mirrors your shape eg aline with a waist belt. If you have a straight shape, you want a longer coat with no waist seam to follow your edgy frame.
Finish with a hat that suits your skin tone, if you aren't sure find out how you can discover how here. Some accessories like a scarf and gloves and you will be effortlessly toasty. When you get warmer, you can immediately take a layer off easily to avoid feeling uncomfortable. easy!
What fabrics are best for layering?
I recommend that you wear clothing with natural fibers as much as you can. Natural fiber clothing is clothing that is made from fibers produced by plants or animals. Examples of natural fibers are cotton, silk, linen & wool. Also viscose, rayon, merino, cashmere, alpaca.
Synthetic fabrics, on the other hand, are produced by humans through a chemical synthesis known as polymerisation. These are much more likely to make you sweat and feel discomfited. Examples are Nylon, polyester, acrylic. They tend to be much cheaper and annoyingly mixed with a lot of natural fibers to keep costs down.
Top Tip; A mix of natural and synthetic is better than just synthetic.
What clothing do I need for layering?
If like me, you are a list kinda person, I have made a basic list for you that you can screenshot and use as a shopping list. I use this technique when I am Personal Shopping with clients in London. It works a treat!
The items you need for layering trousers and skirts
If you are a separates fan, by separates I mean trousers/jeans or a skirt lover instead of dresses or jumpsuits these are my top styling suggestions for you and don't forget to follow my ‘How to layer clothing’ section above religiously too.
Make sure your bottoms are high-waisted.
Tuck your light layers into your high-waisted bottoms eg cami and bodysuit.
If you are wearing a blouse or top that won't fit underneath knitwear easily or a smart blouse that you don't want to hide, choose a sleeveless knitted vest. They are very trendy and will give you that must-have extra layer.
If your jumper is oversized or long, get a thin belt and put it over your jumper and do it up around your waist. Then pull the jumper up over the belt until the bottom of your jumper or cardi is either just covering the top of your separates or above your hipline and as close to your waist as you feel comfortable.
Then let it drop and hide the belt and voila, you have a flattering layering piece and your legs look longer because the seam is high by your waist instead of being on your hips which will be your widest part.
Choose a jacket that lets you move easily and fits under your coat
Invest in a coat that works with every colour you own, eg camel for warm skin tones or a grey or navy for cooler skin tones.
Wear Accessories to complete the look. If you are worried about ruining your hair with a hat - choose a coat with a big hood to keep your head warm instead!
The Items you need if you are wearing a dress or jumpsuit
Dresses and jumpsuits are a great way to transition from day to night or even desk to disco… Effortless to get dressed each morning as you only have to think about one thing and then add your layers. Again, refer to my notes above about how to layer.
Top Tip - Wearing knee or over the knee boots will keep you even warmer and they go with any length dress.
Start with a cami or bodysuit. If you have a long-sleeved number that will earn extra warm points. If it's a roll neck, try and wear an open neckline.
An open neckline is a dress with a V neck, scoop neck, or anything that doesn't come all the way up to your neckline.
Pop your dress on
Add tights or leather leggings
Then get your jumper or cardi and if it's long do the jumper trick again.
If your jumper is oversized or long, get a thin belt and put it over your jumper and do it up around your waist. Then pull the jumper up over the belt until the bottom of your jumper or cardi is either just covering the top of your separates or above your hipline and as close to your waist as you feel comfortable.
Then let it drop and hide the belt and voila, you have a flattering layering piece and your legs look longer because the seam is high by your waist instead of being on your hips which will be your widest part.
Choose a jacket that lets you move easily and fits under your coat
Invest in a coat that works with every colour you own, eg camel for warm skin tones or a grey or navy for cooler skin tones.
Wear Accessories to complete the look. If you are worried about ruining your hair with a hat - choose a coat with a big hood to keep your head warm instead!
How do I layer when I go out in the evenings?
It's harder to find outfits with long sleeves or that are more dressy and warm. It's a fine balance. Pubs and bars or people’s houses tend to get pretty warm so I suggest just a smooth fitting cami underneath your lovely blouse or top.
Travel with your knitted sleeveless vest over a long-sleeved top/blouse and easy-to-move jacket. I'd suggest something like a cropped leather or suede jacket to add some edge plus secret warmth.
Leather is warm yet sexy and cool so an ace option fabric-wise. It works with metallics, sequins, block colours or any neutral colour. Neutrals consistent of ivory/white camels, grey, navys and black. Then go wild with your accessoires.
Once you have your formula for winter layering, it becomes very simple, super effortless and second nature. Make the most of my handy layering list and experiment with what you own already, I bet you have more than you realise.
If you still find it tricky, I'd love to help advise you. Reach out here to see how I as a Personal Stylist in London can help you with your wardrobe and personal shopping but more importantly, helping you feel confident when layering your clothes this winter.
Stylish wishes as always,
Sian
London Stylist, Expert speaker in Style, Wardrobe edits, and Personalised Shopping.