“With good basics you can have endless Choices.”

How is it Mid January Already? and people always say January is the longest Month? Maybe time just flies when you are Having Fun! it’s a Beautiful sunny Sunday Morning on my end, and I haven’t even had my coffee but am loving the day already. I am left with an hour on my audible book. (Currently listening to Girl Boss by Sofia Amoruso. Honestly, Audible has to be the best thing that has happened to me this Month. That should definitely qualify as a Catch up. So back to todays topic. How to Master the Art of Outfit Layering. A post long overdue I mean giving the rainy season and weather at the moment this is just Perf! (Okay if you are in summer weather, clearly this post will work for you as well, Just stick with me and ENJOY THE SUMMER WHEN IT LASTS!)

This post, How to Master the Art of Outfit Layering has been in que from mid Last year. Yup! It was supposed to be a follow-up post after the How to Stay Stylish During Cold Weather post and for the life of me, I don’t know what happened, I actually thought I had done it already. But Hey, it’s here now and at the best timing possible. 

As the temperature drops, we all have the urge to throw on an oversize coat and call it a day. Better yet, Snooze the alarm, then eventually unplugging it off and canceling the entire day, Right? Well, yes and no. Depending on your work situation. I could totally get away with doing this last year, when I worked for a family company Slash, the Daughter of the CEO but now that I ventured to find my own Mark in the world while still maintaining a full-time blogging Career? Meh, I have to get up and be the #GIRLBOSS! even in the worst of working situations.

[tweetthis]As the temperature drops, we all have the urge to throw on an oversize coat and call it a day. Better yet, Snooze the alarm, then eventually unplugging it off and canceling the entire day, Right? Well, yes and no. Depending on your work situation.[/tweetthis]

Don’t Get me wrong, Layering works on all occasions round the clock. It’s just not a winter-fall-rainy kind of outfit ideas. You can get away with Layering over in the summer and I will show you How! Enter The New Layering age. This is quite distinct from the old layering, which was basically a question of chucking a thick boyfriend cardigan over everything and hoping it made you look like Stella Tennant. There is serious methodology in The New Layering, as evinced by a slew of interesting, clever and sometimes ingenious hybrid, adaptable pieces and breathable but insulating technical fabrics that have been designed to be slipped over, under – or sometimes both, depending how the mood takes you – other similarly smart pieces.

How to Master the Art of Outfit Layering

1. Layer up not Bulk up

No Suzy you can’t bring the blanket to the office and hope nobody notices. Yes its a cold Monday morning. But you just can’t wear your entire wardrobe to work. You need to play along with what you have to a happy fashion medium. This is the very opposite of wearing everything to a point where you are just comfortable to walk. Picture this. You could pull out your favourite Jeans, if it’s too cold, you could start with some stockings then the jeans and then you could opt for a turtle neck or jumper then a leather jacket or trench, depending on how chilly it really is and pull the entire look with some knee-high boots and you look Fashionable and ready to take over the world.

2. Re-Purpose your summer attires

Just cause the temperature has dropped doesn’t necessarily mean you need to get a whole new wardrobe. Work with what you have got and you will be amazed with the results. Pull out your ragged boyfriend jeans and layer them with some heavy leggings and its weather appropriate. Get some thick leggings and layer them with some high-waisted shorts or some summer jeans short and you have yourself a warm outfit on the go. Go for leggings, thigh high boots and a miniskirt and yet another summer outfit kept to good use without breaking the bank.

3. Think of the Fabric

Before putting together an outfit, it’s important to look at each piece and take it back to its fabric of origin. It’s all linked to the rule of dressing from light to heavy for practical purposes. But this has a visual effect too. Firstly, acknowledge most garments will be made from the same type of fabrics: cotton, wool, or a blend of two. Then, notice the difference in the weave, affecting the thickness and weight of the garment. Any two pieces may be made from say, pure cotton, but each will look and feel different due to the warp and weft of the yarn that makes up the material.

Finally, break up the fabric mix by incorporating the latest in technical fabrics – such as moisture wicking shirts and waterproof jackets. The active accents are very on trend right now and will create an added fabric point of difference between your outer, inner and in-between layers.

4. color and Print

Layering allows colour-lovers to work in several different tones and shades (and even statement prints) into one unified look. For the colour-shy (That’s the polite word, The F*** Color Personas is what i wanted to say) , layering means you can hide the bold hues and patterns as under layers, quieting their noise under a neutral and/or block coloured top coat or shirt jacket. As always, put neutrals between pieces of colour, following the rules of colour matching. And don’t just go for dark shades. Lighter neutrals are very acceptable, even in winter, and add a freshness to the cooler season. Finally, going print-on-print means patterns need to be on scale, relative in size and not too busy. If you look like a walking Muriel, change!

5. accessorize

Well, you all saw this coming. NEXT! Ha! Isn’t it obvious? Those little things in your wardrobe life play a huge part in mastering the art of layering. From thick and chunky scarves to leather gloves and felt-y wool hats, accessories add functional personality to a layered look. And if you’re sporting just a two-piece look, these add-ons provide more layered-ness for your money.But don’t go overboard, though. You work hard on your grooming, so don’t hide that great hair and clean face with too many head and facial ‘masks’, especially if you’re already piled up with clothes. Go for a Happy-Fashion Medium.

6. Vary the Texture

Varying the texture simply means adding in and contrasting different fabric finishes, which gives off a sense of depth or light and shade to an outfit, especially when wearing the same fabric all over. As already mentioned, cotton is a major player. So – for texture’s sake – wear different cotton finishings such as waxed, brushed and garment-dyed to set each piece apart. When it comes to casual wear or smart casual, unless your outfit is a set – such as two-piece suit – it’s vital you vary the texture. Especially, in monochrome, neutral and all-black looks. Head to toe earth tones or colourless clothes need texture to avoid your layered get up looking like a walking black hole.

7. Stick to One Bulky Item

Any more than one big item and you’re venturing into unflattering territory. The key is to keep most of the layers on the lighter side and mix in one big piece, whether it’s a chunky sweater, a teddy coat or a big oversized scarf. It doesn’t have to be your top layer either. You can wear a chunky sweater under a slimmer vest or a lighter coat. Always build your outfit from Lights, to medium to Heavy and close them with a one bulky statement.

8. Have Fun With It

Sometimes, Rules don’t means Shit and Mastering the art of layering takes time and practice. I play around with different layered looks all the time until I find something that works. There’s really no end to the number of combinations you can create and it’s a great way to get excited about your wardrobe again. And there’s no better way to stay warm this fall and winter. Have fun with it, express your style game and let your personality shine. If you can own the look, Heck why the hell Not.

9. Style Inspirations

Well, since you are still Here, Here is some and more of Ways to layer this year. Hope you can get inspiration on what works with your style.

• White shirt + a round or v-neck sweater + jeans of any kind really + coat to throw over your shoulders. Discrete golden chain necklaces will add that final touch to your look.

• A shirt dress + skirt that is shorter than the length of the dress on top of it. A very popular look we saw all over fashion weeks lately.

• Another thing you could do with the shirt dress is put on a sweater on top and let it be a shirt skirt! How brilliant?
• Wearing a leather jacket underneath your coat is a smart and cool way of layering.
• Leather jacket underneath your vest is a classic but always gorgeous way to style your layered ensemble.
• Turtleneck + thin silk scarf around your neck plus a deep v-neck spaghetti strap dress.
• Shirt (half tucked in to your trousers) + leather jacket + bag + coat.
• Shirt + a v-neck sweater + blazer + coat.
• Tight turtleneck sweater + crispy shirt + a few necklaces of different lengths.

Be it, winter or summertime or some season in between, layering has a major role to play in staying comfortable, feeling good and looking even better – whatever the weather. That’s it for my 9 Tips on How to Master the Art of Outfit Layering. Do you have any Layering Fashion tips you would love to add? I am all Years, Sound them Below. remember am just a click of a social media button away.