Over the past couple months, I have definitely embraced layering, in a totally different way. Before layering to me was wearing an open cardigan over whatever I was wearing. No thought of style, I was only thinking of comfort and warmth. Sometimes this worked and I created a stylish outfit, but most of the time it looked unpolished. Since I’ve been looking at my wardrobe with a more critical eye lately I want what a wear to feel good but also look great.
I started by pinning outfits based on season. This simple step really helped me to see how I could create stylish outfits for each season. No longer was I wearing a shirt from my summer wardrobe with a cardigan thrown lazily overtop. I had a spring/summer wardrobe and a fall/winter wardrobe. The colours worked together nicely, more coordinated than before. Now during winter if I am “throwing on” a cardigan it most likely looks really good with the rich fall/winter colour I’ve chosen.
By no means am I winning at this layering game, but I am trying and trying AND trying. Not all layering works for me. By trying different styles and ways of layering, I realize for my body type shorter sweaters and jackets don’t really work, it looks unbalanced somehow. If you start experimenting you might discover longer sweaters are unflattering. You won’t know until you try.
Mark bought me the Curated Closet for Christmas and I am loving it! I honestly don’t have time right now to do all of the exercises, but it really has me looking at my style in a totally different way. One exercise is to write down what you wear for two weeks. Since I started over the holidays, this was slightly unsuccessful as pajamas every other day didn’t really help me realize my style, lol. What this exercise did though was help me to really narrow down why I liked or disliked an outfit, what made me feel good and what didn’t and also how I felt in what I was wearing. I really found what I wore truly affected my mood and how I felt on any particular day. This was a great insight to discover.
Let’s get to some tips for layering, so we can figure out what looks good and makes us feel great!
TIPS ON HOW TO LAYER
Invest in a well-fitting button up shirt.
This was a game changer for me! I didn’t realize how much a button up shirt could elevate my sweaters. It brings in a polished, stylish look to any sweater. I ended up finding a white linen button up and a jean shirt at the thrift store for a small investment. I also started pinning colder weather inspiration for button up shirts under sweaters. If I ever have a day where I don’t know what to wear I look at my inspiration board.
Roll up those sleeves.
Layering doesn’t really work unless we can see the layers! Most of your shirts probably have a similar length sleeve. Make sure you roll up the top layer, you want to see the layer underneath. With a button up shirt and sweater, casually roll up the sweater sleeve to see the jean shirt pop out. If you are wearing a large sweater with a jacket then roll the jacket sleeve or push it up slightly.
Test out different combinations
The other day I was prepping for a photoshoot and literally tried to layer three sweaters, this was too much! Lol. I had to try though. You need to figure out your layering style and what works for your body type. I am drawn to longer layers and a looser fitting sweater since I have a bigger bust. I pinned an outfit with a sweater dress and a white button up, I never would have thought to layer those two pieces but it looked great. Keep trying different combinations.
Do you like layering? Are you scared it will look to bulky? Do you feel less stylish when layering? I would love to hear if you have any struggles when it comes to finding your perfect layering balance.
