Two local stylists share their tips for layering in winter
PHOTOGRAPHY BY TASHA TYLEE
WORDS BY ZEMIRA WHITEHEAD
Cute and cosy.
As the months grow colder, I’m once again faced with the inevitable downfall of my outfits. As someone who feels the cold in their bones, I often have to choose warmth over style during winter. It’s a shame because I have quite a collection of great jackets and coats but most of them aren’t warm or cosy enough so I end up wearing the same black bomber jacket day after day.
This year I decided I wouldn’t let the temperature dictate my style. I used to think it was a matter of purchasing ‘better’ winter clothes, but this can be a never-ending mindset if you can’t learn how to style what you already have in your closet.
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Layering is a must when it comes to dressing for winter. It allows you to add extra layers of warmth that are easy enough to shed in the comfort of a heated room, without stripping you of your entire look. But it can be quite an art to achieve a well-layered outfit that doesn’t leave you feeling bulky and unstylish.
In search of some advice, I reached out to two Australian-based stylists for their best tips and tricks. Below, Byron Bay-based stylist Scarlet Anderson and Melbourne-based stylist Jade Leung share their secrets to effortless layering.
How to layer
As Jade tells me, layering can mean different things depending on your sense of style. If you prefer to dress minimally, you may lean towards simply showing a roll neck under a sweater or shirt. Whereas if you’re a maximalist dresser, you might want to express this through contrasting prints, colours and textures to add more depth and interest to your look.
Jade categorises herself as a minimalist so she will often try to keep winter layers “thin, warm and intentional”. Her usual winter outfits comprise a cashmere T-shirt, a soft blazer or hoodie tucked into jeans or trousers and a big oversized coat. To add shape or change the silhouette of an outfit Jade will sometimes throw on a belt over her jacket or coat. She’s also “always partial to dressing tonally which is easy and impactful”.
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For Scarlet, a winter outfit involves more layers than you could ever guess from the outside. “If you saw what I was wearing underneath you’d laugh; stockings, socks, any thermal top I can find… Being from up north I don’t do well in the cold! My number one tip for layering this winter is hiding these extra thermal layers under your looks.”
To successfully do so, Scarlet recommends utilising thinner wool pieces when layering like babywool shirting and thermal undergarments for added insulation. To build on the visual interest of an outfit, she suggests layering different shapes and textures that are a bit unexpected like a feminine dress over structured trousers or jeans.
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Another go-to for her is adding a pop of contrast to a monochrome look. “Picture a black oversized knit, grey mini skirt, black stockings, black loafers/boots layered with a white sock and a white scarf or coat for a pop,” she says.
Must have items
If you want to layer more this winter, there are a few pieces that are particularly helpful for building a warm yet stylish outfit. For Jade, her must-haves are an oversized coat, a chunky scarf and lots of cashmere as “it’s warm, light and the softest texture”.
Tops that are thin but made from natural materials are ideal as they are easy to layer and keep you insulated. Scarlet again highlights babywool as a go-to as it’s “thin enough so you can see the detailing of a cute bralette but still warm enough as a base layer”.
When buying for the colder months, it’s important to invest in quality items. The right jacket or coat can last you a lifetime of winters if it’s made well (just make sure it’s roomy enough that you can comfortably layer knitwear under it). “I would probably only buy five to six brand new quality clothing pieces a year so I expect them to last. With this in mind I try to buy timeless styles that I know I won’t get bored with while keeping my buying in the mid-price range,” says Scarlet.
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A piece worth investing in is a mohair jumper as they are durable, snuggly, look great under a coat and will never go out of style. This Marle jumper is a favourite of Scarlet’s; she allows herself to buy one new colourway a year and looks forward to building her collection, telling me that a high-quality knit will always make you feel put together.
The same goes for a quality coat – she recommends browsing these options from Friends with Frank. Scarlet’s other must-have pieces for winter layering include a pair of dark denim jeans, a black blazer, a big fluffy scarf and a wool suit (worn separately or as a set).
For more winter styling tips, head here.
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