Please talk to me about layering!

[Antonia]

As we're coming into F/W, this seems a good time to talk about dressing in layers. I'm terrible at it. If I need to put on anything more than a blazer or coat, I look boxy and scruffy.
However, I've often admired others who seem to have figured out how to make layers look stylish, not messy. Give me all your tips and tricks on how to make the proportions work so that I don't look like this:

Pictures would be amazing, too, if you have them!

Tagging people whom I think will be able to get the conversation started! @880 @Antonia @papertiger
Also, @cecchetti I recall you mentioning that you dress in base layers and then build on top of that? Maybe you have some ideas?
Everyone feel free to tag in others whom you feel would enjoy the discussion or whose stylish layers you admire. The more the merrier!

Thank you for thinking of me @jblended ! I love everything that @papertiger said (she has a wealth of information!!) and I also love what @880 suggested about playing with textures so you don't look one dimentional. I think that's one of the most important things I've learned since I started following Tibi Style Class (which you can watch on YouTube). Amy, the founder, is my style icon! I just love how she creates these looks with minimal effort. Even though you don't have to have a closet full of Tibi pieces, you can get an idea of how to make these looks work with what you have. Shoes play a big part in all of this because the right shoe can make an outfit just like the wrong shoe can ruin it. Just have fun with it....fashion is supposed to be fun and experimental! I'll try to find some pics to add to this later!!

 

[Bag peace]

I've learned since I started following Tibi Style Class

Oh yes! I remember you have mentioned this before. I'll be sure to watch and see what I can glean. Thank you!

fashion is supposed to be fun and experimental! I'll try to find some pics to add to this later!!

True. I need to inject some fun back into my style. Looking forward to anything you may be able to add later on.

 

[Antonia]

The suited and booted is my usual go-to. I gravitate towards menswear-inspired, tailored looks. However, it's becoming predictable and dull. I'm hoping the layers will add interest and texture, but without drowning me!

Thank you so much for all the suggestions! I already do the under/overs that you mentioned (base layers, open button-down shirts on top), but I need to play with more colour as you suggested, to see what works.
I also should think outside the box more often! Let me see if I can get creative! I'll post some pics if I find anything that works. The most creative thing I usually do is wear a shirt or dress backwards if there's an interesting detail I want to highlight. I can definitely push myself out of my comfort zone a little further.


Cos is a great suggestion, thanks. I'll pop into the one in town when I'm next out and have a look at their hybrids!

I bought the hybrid skirt!! I will probably wear it over longer skirts and jeans like they had on the model. What a cool and fun look!!

 

[randr21]

If you need visuals, google "Trinny London layering videos". She has decades of styling knowledge, has a huge wardrobe that showcases the "how-to" part, and can really help those in need of specific style advice.

For those who don't like bulkiness, I recommend the fake "layered look" clothing. I know Veronice Beard is a designer that specializes in this, but for lower price points, you can check out brands like Brochu Walker (search for "The Looker") or Staud. Most only have 1 or 2 pieces, but they come in quite handy.

 

[Bag peace]

"Trinny London layering videos"

Trinny of Trinny and Susannah? I had no idea she was still around! Now I feel old!
Thank you for the suggestion. I'll check out some videos!

I recommend the fake "layered look" clothing.

This is an interesting idea. It may be worthwhile for me especially as the winters are that cold where I am. Thanks!

 

[880]

Interesting. I usually do 2 colours. If I add a 3rd colour, it would be via the bag I'm carrying. I may experiment with mixing shades of the same colour. Thank you.


Great suggestion. Love Uniqlo for basics. Thank you.


So, you already know I love your style because I drool over your pics, ha ha! I tagged you because I immediately thought of your layers when I was considering this problem. You seem to have mastered getting the proportions right, without it ever looking boxy and drowning you. Any tips of figuring that out for myself? Do you think it's just experimentation until you find combos that work or is there some secret style rule that I'm unaware of?

Thank you! My tip: when you stumble upon a combo you like, take an action pic so you remember.

 

[BalenciagaKitte]

I bought the hybrid skirt!! I will probably wear it over longer skirts and jeans like they had on the model. What a cool and fun look!!

Looking forward to seeing the hybrid skirt in an outfit post!

 

[lill_canele]

I am fairly short, 5'3", so I think the key to layering is some kind of defined waist, and also matching the color of your skirt or pants to your shoes. The exception to this is if you're wearing all one color, you can wear a different color shoe. In my experience, I can wear a lot of layers if I'm creating length (height), if that makes sense.

Sorry to go a little off topic, but wow, you're 5'3"?!

I would have never guessed! I thought you were always around the 5'5" or 5'6" height. Must be because you dress so well!

Anyway, great tips on this thread! I'll be following up on it as fall/winter approaches, hoping to change up my layering a bit.
(also hoping it will be colder in California this fall/winter, so I can actually do some properly layering haha)

 

[BalenciagaKitte]

Sorry to go a little off topic, but wow, you're 5'3"?!

I would have never guessed! I thought you were always around the 5'5" or 5'6" height. Must be because you dress so well!

Anyway, great tips on this thread! I'll be following up on it as fall/winter approaches, hoping to change up my layering a bit.
(also hoping it will be colder in California this fall/winter, so I can actually do some properly layering haha)

Awww thanks, that's why I wear high heels as much as possible! Yes I agree this is an awesome thread.

 

[Nibb]

Great thread! I have found inspiration on mixing colors, textures and patterns from the Scarf of the day thread on the Hermès forum. The “scarfies“ are a talented bunch when it comes to mixing things up.
Some of the TPF your bag in action threads also have outfit ideas.

 

[Antonia]

Sorry to go a little off topic, but wow, you're 5'3"?!

I would have never guessed! I thought you were always around the 5'5" or 5'6" height. Must be because you dress so well!

Anyway, great tips on this thread! I'll be following up on it as fall/winter approaches, hoping to change up my layering a bit.
(also hoping it will be colder in California this fall/winter, so I can actually do some properly layering haha)

@lill_canele @BalenciagaKitte I thought the same thing!!

 

[DILF]

I like the Margaret Howell approach to layering.

 

[Noorasi]

For winter in the Nordics, I love layering a thin and light slimline down jacket under a proper coat like a trench, parka or a wool coat. You can play with color, contrast and material combinations and it's fun to have a down jacket collar or hood peek out from under the outer layer.

I also love a regular hoodie under any coat, something like a grey cotton hood gives a nice relaxed feeling to a more polished trench or wool coat. Combine with a large wool scarf and you'll have a warm and practical mix of texture and style.

Personally I love monochromatic and tonal layered outfits. It doesn't have to be anything crazy either. Now that grey is one of the biggest colors of the new winter season I really look forward to combining a few (not fifty) shades of grey in luxurious fabrics and minimalistic shapes.

 

[Antonia]

For winter in the Nordics, I love layering a thin and light slimline down jacket under a proper coat like a trench, parka or a wool coat. You can play with color, contrast and material combinations and it's fun to have a down jacket collar or hood peek out from under the outer layer.

I also love a regular hoodie under any coat, something like a grey cotton hood gives a nice relaxed feeling to a more polished trench or wool coat. Combine with a large wool scarf and you'll have a warm and practical mix of texture and style.

Personally I love monochromatic and tonal layered outfits. It doesn't have to be anything crazy either. Now that grey is one of the biggest colors of the new winter season I really look forward to combining a few (not fifty) shades of grey in luxurious fabrics and minimalistic shapes.

LOL at Fifty Shades comment!

 

[doloresmia]

I love this topic! am always layering because i usually find myself really cold or really hot, especially on planes. generally change outfits multiple times a day when working from home as my comfort level or meeting needs shift....

here are my guidelines when i layer

• different textures - obviously!
• ascending weights for fabric layers
• different lengths and shapes so i don't get overly weighted down or look like Gandolf
• because i live in socal, i also have more freedom like socks with my sandals that would be hard to wear as weather gets harsher on east coast
• muted colors so i don't look like a morris man

there are not enough pictures on this thread! However, since it is now the pull on pants part of my day, pictures from me anyways will have to wait.