Layer Up in Style

Walking around Chadstone the past few weeks, I have been thrilled with this season’s collections in all the stores. There is such a variety of beautiful fabrics, great cuts and lengths as well as a really gorgeous palette of colours for this winter to play around with and layer to create a look that’s all yours!

As winter arrives, the temperatures get a little cooler and we find ourselves reaching for thicker, warmer sweaters or jackets to keep the cold at bay. Sometimes though, reaching for a more dense fabric or woollen material, can bulk up an outfit and can add bumps and lumps to areas that we don’t want to draw attention to! The key to keeping warm yet still looking stylish is to layer and there is a trick or two that I’m going to share with you to ensure your outfit looks streamlined yet cosy. You can still look stylish without looking frumpy in the warmer fabrics. Check out these looks I’ve put together!

The key to layering is to choose thin quality fabrics which still help trap the heat in between the layers. For example, choosing a three quarter length sleeve, fitted cotton top and wearing that under a blazer and finished with a beautiful silk or cashmere scarf. This way, if you do find yourself indoors or the sun comes out, you can slip off your jacket yet still be warm.

Another way to layer is to wear a fitted cotton top or pretty camisole underneath a classic shirt. Choose coordinating colours to add some focus to pretty detailing. A lightweight woollen jumper or gorgeous fitted cardigan can then be layered over the shirt and top, and the outfit completed with a smart blazer or coat. If the weather starts to warm up a little, then you can just wear the cardigan on your shoulders or slip it off altogether.

Layering is also practical, especially for those unpredictable days, and especially in Melbourne! Teaming a beautiful lightweight knit dress with a box-style jacket, or long waterfall cardigan or vest is bang on trend. Sleeveless-style dresses can be layered too, with a crisp, structured shirt and bold cuffs, a distinctive trend when it gets down to the detailing. It can be layered by wearing a fitted shirt or long sleeve top underneath and teamed with a pair of opaque tights or leggings, and this season’s knee or ankle length boots, will elongate your look without adding too much material.

Don’t forget the accessories! Winter is always the time that stores have the most fantastic selection of tights in store. So many colours, knits, denier and styles to choose from and they look really great under a favourite skirt or dress and in some cases, can even be the focal point for your whole outfit! Scarves in all fabrics are still popular so you can always play around with these depending on your mood. They can be layered in delicate, lighter fabrics or chunkier knits or even wrapped around your shoulders like with pashminas.

I love winter for the cosy variety of coats and jackets that pop up instore as they can really compliment a layered look and enhance it, depending on the style or colour that you choose. Choose a coat in a neutral tone like black, charcoal, grey, beige or camel and it will carry you from season to season. It’s worth investing in a timeless coat as you will get wear out of it over the years. Stick to simple, classic styles which can then easily be dressed up or down. Coats and jackets are great ways to add layers as well as warmth, and can often make or break a whole look.

There’s no shortage of great shoes and boots in the stores now either! I’m loving the layered look when worn with a beautiful pair of over-the-knee or knee high boots, or chunky heeled (or flat) ankle boots.