As a lover of all things fall/winter dressing, I have started to get the layering itch. As I sit in a puddle of my own sweat on the underground, I daydream about the days when I can bring out my cashmere, wool, and cotton pieces and start to pair them together to achieve ultimate warmth. As people with a style point of view, fashion is still a priority in the winter, but we have to efficiently tackle function in order to get there. Layering is a strategic practice that allows you to marry items together to go against the winter chill. It requires intentionality to avoid looking like a stuffed sausage every time you leave the house. Below are key things to look out for to ensure that you can do this with ease.
The first thing to pay attention to is the thickness of the items. You can't throw on your chunkiest sweater first and figure it out from this point, as it will lead to you looking like the marshmallow man. You have to gradually build up the layers, starting with the most thin knit, to create an iron-clad armour that effectively protects you from the cold. These small but mighty items work together to ensure you achieve warmth without sacrificing style or a point of view. The slimline effect of this layering style ensures they work under chunkier items, so you can avoid the horrid feeling of stuffing a sleeve into a coat.
The other thing to focus on is the fabric choice of your items. In the colder months, every item you put on has to serve a purpose, and they can’t get away with being cute for no reason. The MVP of base layers is and always will be anything Uniqlo Heattech. They are thin enough to layer under any item but effective enough to ward off the most unwelcoming temperatures. Honestly, one could argue they are a little too effective, as sweating at work isn’t what you sign up for, but this is a testament to their functionality. Next up, you can opt for a Merino wool long-sleeve, for example, to begin to get into the true rhythm of your outfit. This is a customisable layer that continues to add warmth with its wool fabric but is still thin enough to allow for chunkier items to go over the top. For the third layer, you can go thicker with a wool jumper or cashmere cardigan to seal the cold out. It isn’t enough to wear a thin tank top without functionality under your jumper and think the extra fabric will do you good. Prioritising the correct fabric choice ensures that every piece in the outfit works to its maximum potential, allowing you to achieve ultimate layering prowess.
Once you have the above points nailed down, then you can really start to have fun with it and bring your own spin to the textures, patterns, and colours you wear. You can opt for a red merino wool top and layer it under a navy v-neck cardigan, for example. Alternatively, you could layer a striped wool top with a coloured mohair jumper if that is more your vibe. The possibilities are endless and allow you to keep the winter depression out of your wardrobe. Below are some pieces that can help you achieve this layering style; enjoy!
All of the pieces above are thin, layer-able, and cute enough to still add your point of view to your fall/winter wardrobe. Like a kid on Christmas Eve, I am giddy at the thought of going into storage and bringing out my knit pieces, and I hope this newsletter can manifest some chillier mornings. Speak to you next week!
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