The Art of Layering – Part 1 The Basics

It’s another beautiful Sunday guys! And I’m back with another blog post! I hope you guys are doing well and excited for Christmas! 💃🏽This blog post will be part 1 of a 3 part mini series on “The Art of Layering.”

So we are technically still in the last days autumn but to be honest, for the past couple of days the weather has been screaming WINTER!! To the max! So I think it’s high time we start layering up! The brutal winter is looming! 😭

When people think of layering up, they usually do the “how many layers can I get away with before suffocating myself” challenge, but layering while still looking stylish, requires more than that. There is a science behind it. And with this series I hope to unlock the science behind “The Art of Layering.” Lets first start with the basics! Let’s get it!! 💃🏽💃🏽

The rules of layering are pretty simple. You need a minimum of 3 layers to keep yourself well insulated

The Base Layer

The base layer should be something lightweight and absorbent. Starting with a lightweight layer, allows you to build up the layers, whilst still maintaining an essence of comfort. Also, it being lightweight and absorbent, allows the perfusion of any moisture to be easily absorbed therefore keeping your skin dry. Just cos it’s winter doesn’t mean that you’re not going to sweat. Let’s be real, you’re human, you’re gonna sweat. The worst thing you can do is start of with a thick woolly material that will not absorb anything. Take my word for it, it’s not a pretty sight or smell! T-Shirts, shirts and vest tops (if you want something really light) make great base layers. Invest in these! Polyester and nylon are great for moving perspiration away from your skin.

The Mid Layer

This is the layer where things start getting fun. Where you can start experimenting with jumpers, cardigans, hoodies and sweaters. You name it! This is where the real insulation starts, retaining the heat generated by your body. The key to a good mid layer is maintaining a good insulating yet breathable ratio, bearing in mind that you’ll still be adding at least 1 more layer. Too much breathability, leads to loss of body heat, while too much insulation leads to discomfort. You just need to get the balance right.

The Outer Layer

The outer layer is usually the layer that is seen from a far distance, so this is the layer you should stunt with. Whether it be a leather jacket, denim jacket, shearling coat, Borg/fur coat. You kinda want to make a statement with this last piece. This is where the stylishness of layering comes in. So invest well in your outerwears. Despite you wanting to stunt or flex with this last piece, you still need to make a sensible choice, that’ll, at the end of the day, keep you warm. Three things to look for in a great outer wear is whether it is water/wind proof, durable and whether it has some form of double layer, quilting or padding. I’m probably using the wrong terminology but I think you guys get what I mean. Those three factors will not only ensure that you’re kept warm but also reassure you of the longevity of the coat or jacket, and it’s ability to withstand various weather conditions.

So that’s it for today’s post. We’ve basically covered the basics of layering, in the future parts we’ll cover colour co-ordinating and actually putting pieces together.

 

 

Outfit Details

So with this look, I tried to layer around the midi skirt. The midi skirt is not really an item of clothing that you see a lot during the winter but with the right layering, you can definitely get away with it and essentially still stay warm. I started off with a light blue shirt (base layer), then added this browny beige with hints of blue turtleneck (mid layer) then finally draped my mid-wash denim jacket over my shoulders (outer layer) creating a blue/brown/grey, icy cold look. I really love how the colours compliment each other. I completed this look with my favourite navy blue loafers.

Blue Shirt – Primark

Brown turtle neck jumper – H and M

Grey Midi Skirt – Missguided

Mid wash denim jacket – Missguided

Navy blue Loafers – ASOS

Hope you guys enjoyed this post. Let me know what you guys think in the comments section and what you struggle with when it comes to layering, I may touch on it in the upcoming parts. Thank you guys so much for reading this post and supporting your girl, I really appreciate you guys 😭❤️ Till next time

Stay Phenomenal

Ore xx