Cool fall evenings, freezing winter days, or crisp spring mornings are all the perfect opportunity to add chic layers to your outfits. Cold weather can be really fun to dress for if you lean into layers. Layering your clothes is obviously an effective way to keep you warm and comfortable when the temperature drops, but it’s also a way to look stylish! Having grown up in an area where layering was essential to getting dressed every day, I thought I’d put together a guide on how you can layer your clothes without feeling frumpy!
How to Layer for Cold Weather
How Many Layers Of Clothing Are Recommended For Cold Weather
There isn’t a specific number of layers that are important for cold weather. The materials you wear are important and how you wear your layers matter! So, look for wool, wool blends, cashmere, cashmere blends, and even cotton to help you stay warm on cold days. It also depends on whether you’re dressing for a cold winter day or a crisp spring morning – so let’s discuss layering tips and style ideas!
What Are The Best Layers For Cold Weather
From a base layer to your outer layer, here are some favorites that make layering easy.
Sleeveless turtleneck or mockneck sweater
These two tops are my go-to base layers whenever I need to stay warm. You can wear them under just about anything, whether you’re wearing a cardigan, v-neck sweater, blazer, or leather jacket. They also come in other colors, including black, that will work with a lot of wardrobes.
Blazers
A blazer is a classic layering piece that will never go out of style, and you’ll get so much use out of it. There are obviously lots of different styles of blazers. For warmth, look for a slightly oversized blazer that’s made up of warm materials so you can layer with it. A more fitted blazer will make layering complicated. I’m wearing a mockneck sweater under the blazer on a super cold day – I also wore my plaid coat and scarf above.
Fitted Turtleneck or Mockneck Sweater
A fitted turtleneck or a mockneck sweater is always a good layering piece because it isn’t bulky. I love to wear this style of sweater under a button up for extra warmth, and they also look good with a cozy vest.
This is the one I wear all the time, and I also recently wore this gorgeous chocolate brown turtleneck a ton in the UK!
Wrap Coats
A wrap coat is one of the best coats for layering because they typically have a lot of room in the arm area instead of being overly fitted. However, the right ones certainly still look tailored, which I love. I live in my wrap coat when it’s really cold for this exact reason. I can layer bulky, warm sweaters under my coat without looking like a marshmallow. If I had to pick one coat I turn to every single winter, it’s this style.
Oversized Top Coats
An oversized coat is another type of coat that works perfectly for layering while maintaining a chic look! They’re everywhere right now, and they honestly look good on everyone. I love the longer length coats, but if you feel like that length doesn’t work for you, go for a shorter length that you can style in similar ways.
Warm Scarf Or Draped Sweater As A Scarf
There’s nothing better than a super cozy scarf you can snuggle into when heading out in the cold. This is the one I’m wearing throughout this blog post.
I also recently reused my cashmere sweaters as scarves while I was traveling so I didn’t have the added bulk of a heavy scarf in my suitcase. It was warm enough to style this sweater over my trench coat one day, but I also tucked it into my winter coat to keep warm on a much colder day. It worked perfectly both ways!
How To Layer Clothes For Cold Weather
Use Your Scarves
Scarves are obviously practical, but they’re also a chic accessory. I have a couple of different kinds of scarves in my closet, such as an oversized cashmere wrap, a fun patterned scarf, and a ribbed scarf. They’re all warm, but they all work differently in my wardrobe.
Whenever anyone asks me for a warm scarf recommendation, I always point to this cashmere scarf. It appears oversized online, but it’s actually the perfect size. I wear it constantly, and I’m probably going to get another color this year to go with different parts of my wardrobe.
I also just picked up this thinner scarf from Sezane, and I can’t believe how soft it is. It’s 100 percent wool, so it’s actually super warm and it’s not scratchy. I love the colors, but there are other options! Here’s how I styled it in London. There are several different ways you can style it though, whether you wear it as a more classic scarf or drape it over your shoulders.
Wear Your Sleeveless Sweaters Under Button Ups
Sleeveless sweaters can feel like an oxymoron, but I’ve found them to be closet heroes in recent years. They’re the perfect layering piece, and I don’t know how I went so long without using them more. They work perfectly under blazers, cardigans, and jackets without making you feel frumpy. One look I’ve leaned into the last couple of years is styling a sleeveless sweater under a button up. This look is definitely on trend right now, but most importantly, it will keep you super warm!
Style Your Tall Boots With Jeans, Trousers, Skirts, and Even Your Dresses
It feels like booties and Chelsea boots were really in style the past couple of years, but tall boots have made a major comeback with jeans. However, don’t forget to wear your tall boots with skirts and dresses, too! This is a super chic way to layer and get the most out of your wardrobe – I hate to pack away a fall dress because of the cold, and you don’t have to if you wear them with tall boots.
If you’re wondering how to wear dresses in the winter, check out this blog post.
Rewear Your Sleeveless Sweaters With A Blouse
I recently picked up this gorgeous silk blouse for family photos. I’ve been eyeing it for years, and I’m so happy I finally bought it because I wore it multiple times within one week, ha. This blouse is absolutely perfect for layering. I wore it under jackets and a fuzzy vest, of course. But the most chic way I styled it was under my grey sleeveless sweater. I tucked them both into my jeans and added a black belt with black boots. I felt so confident in this outfit, and I think you will too!
Wear Your Blazers And Jackets With Skirts And Dresses
Okay, one last tip on layering, and this is one of my favorites. Your chic fall blazers and suede jackets can also be worn all winter with dresses and skirts. Here’s an example of how to layer these pieces together. Plus, when it gets really cold, you can easily add a wrap coat over this or drape a top coat over your shoulders if you’re just heading to your car. I would style this outfit with tall boots!
Check out these winter brunch outfit ideas and winter skirt outfits for more looks.
Okay, that’s all from me today. Did you find any helpful tips on how to layer clothes this season? If you aren’t used to adding layers to your outfits, it can feel overwhelming so I hope this post gave you some tips or ideas!
