Quick Tips for Layering
Outfit-building advice you can use now and next season.
Good news! Spring is on the way—never mind what it looks like outside. Even if you can’t see it, chances are you feel it, especially on those days when it’s freezing rain one second and blazing sun the next. The anything-goes forecast keeps things interesting, but it also makes your daily what-to-wear decision a little harder. More good news: the layering trend is still going strong, and this in-between season is the perfect time to tap in.
Layering is one of our favorite ways to mash up fashion and function. It frees you from the need to dress for one weather extreme or the other, so you're always ready for whatever comes up. You can create brand-new looks around items that are already in your closet, using your go-tos from any season. You just need to know how to pile on the pieces without hitting that tipping point that takes it from stylish to sloppy. These four tips from our stylists are a great place to start. Used individually or in combination, they offer a foolproof formula for looks that will keep you comfortable now and take you right into spring.
Master the Mix
This time of year, layering is all about cozy contrasts. Go for a mix of materials to create dimension. We love a light, airy dress under a heavier sweater (as chunky as you choose). Rubber rain boots and a silk scarf amp up the textural impact. To take it even further, you can play with different patterns too. Mixing prints is the ultimate power move, and anyone can pull it off. If you aren’t sure where to start, our stylists can help.
Play with Proportion
Worried about bulk? Balance is the key to avoid looking like the little brother in "A Christmas Story." You have two ways to play it. You can pair a slim-fitting underlayer with something oversized and slouchy, or go in the other direction like we did here. A long, billowy blouse lays an unexpected foundation, and the cropped sweater pulls it in at the waistline to create shape. High-rise jeans help to elongate the whole look.
Be Color Confident
You have endless options when it comes to layering color. Choose one piece that pops and keep the rest neutral, or take a cue from this look and build your outfit around a complementary color pairing. This pastel combination brings some spring to the end of winter, and we love how the hoodie and blazer balance each other for a polished-cool effect. If you’re feeling punchy, something red always ups the drama.
Own the Monotone
On the other end of the spectrum, picking one color and keeping everything consistent makes a surprisingly strong statement. We kept it casually chic with a cropped sweatshirt and long knit skirt in always-elegant neutrals, taking each piece a shade lighter or darker for added impact. A classic trench pulls it all together.
