The Art of Layering
How to make multiple pieces of clothing look good (and keep you warm).
The best thing about cold weather is the outfit layering potential. Yes, roaring fires, hot toddies and an excuse to spend the afternoon in a cosy pub come into it. But sticking just to dressing, it’s the idea of putting on multiple pieces that are not only warm but can create a completely different outfit with each combination, that gets my creative juices going.
I love putting on different pieces and seeing what I can come up with. Some standard, some not so standard but still work. But I do think there is an art to it. You don’t want to put on so many layers that you a) overheat b) can barely move your arms or legs and c) can’t put your coat on because you’ve suddenly become overly bulky.
I have a few layering go-tos that I’ve tried, tested and worn year after year. They keep me warm, they’re easy to shed whenever I find myself in a space where the heating’s cranked up or I’m on the tube at rush hour, and they all add an interesting spin to an outfit.
Double coats
This is a look I’ve worn a few times recently when I haven’t wanted to wear a thick top but I know I’ll need warm layers when I’m outside. The white coat is made from light cotton, so it’s more of a summer jacket, while the beige coat is wool. The two colours complement each other and break up the black jeans and shoes, adding something ‘extra’ to an outfit. As the white coat is light, it means I can also get away with wearing it indoors as part of my outfit, giving me a couple of different options when I get to my destination.
Leggings under cropped trousers
I saw this styling on Studio Nicholson’s Instagram a few years ago: a pair of cropped trousers with leggings sticking out underneath. It’s one of those images that has always stuck in my mind and a way of styling trousers I knew I could instantly recreate with items I had in my wardrobe. Not only does the contrast of slim-fitting leggings underneath the loose, cropped-leg trousers create an interesting silhouette, but it’s practical too. The leggings add a layer of warmth (bare ankles are not the one in autumn and winter) and stop that dreaded need to shave your legs.