Cold winter weather is a style and health challenge. This guide to stylish winter layering to stay warm covers the layering basics to create ageless layered looks for thermal comfort and style. A video demonstrates in easy-to-follow steps how to bundle up in chic layers. Various layering outfit ideas illustrate the concepts. Read to get inspired to stay warm in style.
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Stylish Winter Layering to Stay Warm
Of course, how long a layered look will keep you comfortable temperature wise depends on the weather. As a result, the clothing pieces and their material will differ. However, the overall concept of layering is to create several thin layers of still air. Thin air layers, namely, increase the insulation of your outfit. Consequently, layering is more than just for style.
In addition, relative humidity, wind and temperature matter. You have to use different material to create cold wet weather outfits than for dry, frigid cold air. Therefore, the material and types of clothes differ from what to wear when the Polar Vortex hits. More on cozy looks for different climates.
What To Consider When Layering for Style?
The fundamentals of stylish layering are
- Short over long or short under Long
- Wide on the top and slim on the bottom or vice versa
- Color coordination
- Accentuation of your waist
- Dressing for your body shape
- Each layer must stand as an outfit of its own when you plan to peel off pieces
DIY Clip to Create a “Waist”
Other possibilities to accentuate your waist are using tailored pieces like a blazer or belting. More on how to best accessorize with belts.
How to Avoid the Bulk of T-Shirts to Look Slim When Layering
When you layer for style only (not thermal insulation) or you live in a region with winter temperatures above the freezing point, use halftees instead of T-shirts, or camisoles. If you are not familiar with them see my review of a Halftee lace top and cropped Tee. If you layer for thermal comfort, use body conscious tops or leotards to look slim despite of piling up garments.
See How to Ensure Every Layer Is an Outfit on Its Own
The movie breaks a winter layering outfit down as an example of how to create stylish layers that still look stylish when you peel a layer or two off.
The easiest way is to build a layered look around one color like styling monochromatic looks. In the example above, the look is styled around gray, burgundy, and green. Or work with the color blocking formula.
Layering Outfit Ideas
When you are new to layering start out with classic layering pieces like twinsets, sheath dresses, or vests. In cold climate like Alaska, puffer vests are a great option for thermal comfort. More on how to wear a puffer vest and not look fat. In windy climates, try a leather vest. More on how you can wear a leather biker vest.
Winter Office Look Layering with Sheath
Sheath dresses are layering classic that never goes out of style. They are also the most easy way to layer. The same outfit idea just in another color gives you already a new office look. But you can also layer over your sheath. More on layering with sheath dresses.
Stylist tip: Don’t forget that accessorizing and styling your outerwear is a form of piling up pieces too.
Stylish Winter Layering to Stay Warm with Cardigans and Jacket
Midi skirt, tights, over-the-knee boots, sweater at the office and an old diamond leopard print jacket as outerwear to stay comfortable. Can you believe I have this jacket since I was a teenager?
Casual Posh Winter Layering
Boot toppers are great to double the insulation on your feet. More on creating mature looks with boot toppers.
How to Layer in Summer, Fall and Spring?
In fall and spring, use items from the warm and cold season. More on
transition your summer pieces into fall by layering with cold season pieces. More tips to style a summer dress for spring by layering.
More, on great summer outfits with layers to avoid a style rut.
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Photos of me: G. Kramm
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