If you thought layering was just cardigans and coats, you must have been living in the dark ages. Or your mum’s wardrobe…
Over the last few seasons the fashion set have taken to the concept like an Olympic sport, constantly out-smarting one another with *more* layers in unexpected formations. And, what with this being the official season for the ‘transitional wardrobe’ (that phrase brings us out in hives), it’s the perfect time to experiment with different levels of layering.
Here are the six layering techniques you need to nail this season…
1. THE DOUBLE COAT
A relatively self-explanatory one… This layering style is not one for the faint-hearted. It’s also not one for a balmy late summer day, but rather better saved for those days that there’s a real chill. If you can’t wait until winter, dabble in autumn via a coat-atop-a-jacket situation, as opposed to coat-on-coat.
2. THE LONG SLEEVE
Possibly one of the most-common layering technique, the long-sleeve – whether a roll-, round-, or V-neck – is one of those underrated pieces that renders almost all of your summer dresses viable autumn/winter pieces. And, contrary to popular believe, it doesn’t necessarily make the look more casual. A fitted black roll-neck beneath a mini dress paired with sandals works perfectly.
3. THE MULTI-CHAIN
Yep, layering has made its way into our jewellery boxes. And while it may look as though the fashion set are haphazardly throwing the entire contents of theirs on at once, there is actually a very finely-curated art when it comes to necklaces. All chains must be of varying lengths – preferably of relative gradients – and ideally of different style.
4. THE ANKLE WRAPS
One of the more directional layering techniques, ankle-wrapping is a trend to have emerged in a big way over the the last couple of months. The must-have ingredients constitute a strappy sandal and wide-leg trouser and, unlike the usual trouser-over-sandal situation, the sandal straps wrap *around* the trouser leg to create a modern cuff.
5. THE SHROBE
One of the classics of more recent times, the ‘shrobe’ sees a sweatshirt draped over the shoulders and often tied together at the arms in a look reminiscent of the way we’d wrap them around our waists as teenagers. What was once a merely practical move and a way of carrying a spare jumper whilst keeping yourself hands-free, the shrobe has become a completed outfit in itself, with the layered sweatshirt adding a certain chic aloofness.
6. THE DROUSERS
Okay we made up this word, but it’s essentially just a dress over trousers – and it’s becoming increasingly popular for those days where the weather is not quite sure what it’s doing. Dress hemlines must be mid-length but that’s about it in terms of rules and regs. Shirt dresses work particularly well, as the lower-half buttons can be left undone and flowing, making the look feel less heavy thanks to the peek of leg as you walk.
Got it? Layering lesson adjourned.
