Layering is not my forte. I like to keep my looks simple and understated so I rarely wear too many clothes and accessories at once. We’re still theoretically in winter and even though I’m amped it is coming to an end, I’m also quite peeved we don’t fall asleep on a cold winters day and wake up to a hot summers day. The gradual shift drives me crazy. One morning it’s warm then in the afternoon it’s chilly, or vice versa so you need to be prepared. Layering is not a luxury in my life, it has now become a necessity. This weekend, in particular, I’ve seen people going out wearing full on summer looks and I’m out here still clutching onto my coat and boots. Am I the only one in Johannesburg who still feels the cold? It must be old age! The seasonal transition calls for a little creativity in the style department. Here are my 5 tips for easy layering:
- Pick a palette: This time I picked creams, white, camel and tan. Picking a colour palette keeps you from straying into colour blocking territory, it keeps the look clean and polished. Sticking to a palette of complementary colours adds synergy and makes your look come together without you worrying about what matches and what does not.
- Cinch it in: Tie a belt over a chunky jersey or long line blazer. Cinching it in at the waist makes you look like you actually have a body underneath all the clothes. Accessorise with a medium to thick belt. A skinny belt can easily get lost if you are tying it over thick fabrics.
- Texturise: Winter is the perfect time to play with texture. Leather, suede, fringe and fur are all game this season, and they can be used to add an interesting dimension to a look.
- Play with Proportions: One thing I noticed about people layering wrong is when they keep everything in the same proportion. This causes bulkiness and makes it look like you are wearing your whole wardrobe. Opt for a longer length shirt with a crop top over it, or longer cardigan over a shorter shirt.
- Don’t be afraid to take a risk: If I could I would layer mixed prints, so I guess point 5 is for myself too. I think it looks absolutely gorgeous when you mix print and then layer it right. I need to practise how to do that!
