Layering: How to Get This Style Right
Layering is a way of dressing that applies not only in cold weather. In fact, in the summer, it’s also feasible to wear more than one layer of clothing without drowning in heat. The trend also includes the use of both formal or more relaxed pieces.
It’s not unreasonable to mix a dress with an oversized shirt or to dare to wear a pair of pants with a skirt. In addition, when it comes to layering, you can also take advantage of pieces that you usually wouldn’t wear during certain times of the year.
The boldness of this style has jumped from the catwalks to social media and the streets. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what it involves and how to achieve the best layered look.
The explosion of layering
Layering is understood as the tendency to put some clothes on top of others, details the Fashion Glossary. In practice, it’s about layering and playing with the pieces so that the outfits break free of conventionality.
If it’s cold, it’s useful to wear warm clothes. When temperatures are high, it’s advisable to discard coats and, instead, superimpose cool vests and prioritize textiles that fulfill the purpose of layering, without causing discomfort.
The idea is that your look shows different levels and is creative. All types of clothing are valid. It even includes footwear, so you can wear thick and high stockings with sandals or heels, for example.
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The basic recommendations to dabble in layering
Although there are no strict rules in the choice, there are some considerations that make the most successful alternatives. Those who stick to layering have to make sure that the base piece is noticeable, either at the wrists, neck, or neckline.
If you don’t want to create a volume effect, then opt for not-so-loose clothing and complement it with belts. Other recommendations for the success of layering? They’re listed below:
- Break from from boredom by using different textures.
- Don’t exaggerate the number of pieces. Make them a maximum of 3.
- Harmonize the colors of your outfit while taking into account the accessories.
- Wear garments that vary in length, so that they stand out separately.
- Order from light to thick: flannel, a thicker shirt, and a cardigan on top, for example.
- To prevent body disproportion, here’s how to balance it out: if you overlap on top, wear tight clothes on the bottom and vice versa.
How to wear a layered outfit
To put together layered outfits you should have in your closet sweaters, blazers , and jeans, as well as more basic garments. A dress is a piece that allows multiple transformations through layering.
The striking touch is given by your imagination. Now, we’ll show you several ways to apply layering successfully.
Dresses with pants
Take advantage of long dresses with slits on the sides or shirt dresses to incorporate a pair of pants. Reduce the width by adding a belt so that you soften it a little.
Vests with dresses
In the case of shirt dresses, they look good by adding a string vest. This is a look that borders on romantic and casual and is suitable for the everyday. You can modify it a bit with a jean jacket.
Transparent fabrics and shirts
Semi-transparent fabrics are appropriate for a layered look, especially in the summer. Bodysuits or tights with a tulle shirt on top are an alternative, which are eye-catching with both skirts and pants.
Dresses over dresses
It’s not putting one sheer dress on top of another, but rather wearing tulle dresses over another made with a more opaque fabric. They can be the same length or perhaps shorter; the idea is that the solid tone can be perceived under the translucency.
Shirts and sweaters
A wide T-shirt, worn over a sweater is also a good idea; it’s also feasible to wear a shirt and layer with a sweater. For the bottom, jeans do just fine. In fact, they can fit almost any combination.
Skirts and pants
For a more daring outfit, you can even wear a pair of pants with a mini skirt on top. On top, you could wear extra-long shirts with flashy colorful prints.
Tops or shirts with dresses
This is a similar combination to that of dresses with vests, only that the overlapping is achieved with tops with thin straps, which is ideal over dresses with short or long sleeves.
On the other hand, dresses with a high neckline are very adaptable to layering. Just add short-sleeved shirts, as long as they’re open and leave the chest visible.
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A finishing touch to your layering: Accessories
No layering is complete without accessories. As an article from the design area of the Foundation for Educational Development argues, these elements reshape the style, are linked to modern and glamorous, and bring a touch of originality.
Necklaces in trios and of different lengths, plain or detailed belts, chokers, bracelets, and other accessories are a great way to add a touch of glamour to your look. As for shoes, unless it’s a very formal occasion, there are no restrictions when it comes to wearing sneakers, boots, or heels. Footwear is at your discretion, as well as the whole outfit.
All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.
- Beneficios de usar accesorios de moda. Fundación para el Desarrollo Educativo. Argentina. https://www.educativo.net/articulos/beneficios-de-usar-accesorios-de-moda-1019.html
- Superposición. Glosario de la Moda. Fundéu RAE. España; 2021. https://fundeu.es/documentos/glosarioModaFundeuRAE.pdf
