Cold winter weather is a style and health challenge. This guide to stylish winter layering to stay warm covers the layering basics to create ageless layered looks for thermal comfort and style. A video demonstrates in easy-to-follow steps how to bundle up in chic layers. Various layering outfit ideas illustrate the concepts. Read to get inspired to stay warm in style.
Disclosure: This post has affiliate links.
Stylish Winter Layering to Stay Warm
Of course, how long a layered look will keep you comfortable temperature wise depends on the weather. As a result, the clothing pieces and their material will differ. However, the overall concept of layering is to create several thin layers of still air. Thin air layers, namely, increase the insulation of your outfit. Consequently, layering is more than just for style.
In addition, relative humidity, wind and temperature matter. You have to use different material to create cold wet weather outfits than for dry, frigid cold air. Therefore, the material and types of clothes differ from what to wear when the Polar Vortex hits. More on cozy looks for different climates.
What To Consider When Layering for Style?
The fundamentals of stylish layering are
- Short over long or short under Long
- Wide on the top and slim on the bottom or vice versa
- Color coordination
- Accentuation of your waist
- Dressing for your body shape
- Each layer must stand as an outfit of its own when you plan to peel off pieces
DIY Clip to Create a “Waist”
No waist is one of the most common mistakes in layering. The photo below elucidates a simple trick to look slim. This clip is easy to DIY. Just sew an oblong piece of fabric of about 1 ft (30.48 cm) in length together. Insert an about 4 inch (10 cm) long 0.5 inch (~1.3 cm) wide rubber band and sew the clips invisibly at the ends of the rubber band and close the fabric. Decorate according to your personal style.
Other possibilities to accentuate your waist are using tailored pieces like a blazer or belting. More on how to best accessorize with belts.
How to Avoid the Bulk of T-Shirts to Look Slim When Layering
When you layer for style only (not thermal insulation) or you live in a region with winter temperatures above the freezing point, use halftees instead of T-shirts, or camisoles. If you are not familiar with them see my review of a Halftee lace top and cropped Tee. If you layer for thermal comfort, use body conscious tops or leotards to look slim despite of piling up garments.
See How to Ensure Every Layer Is an Outfit on Its Own
The movie breaks a winter layering outfit down as an example of how to create stylish layers that still look stylish when you peel a layer or two off.
The easiest way is to build a layered look around one color like styling monochromatic looks. In the example above, the look is styled around gray, burgundy, and green. Or work with the color blocking formula.
Layering Outfit Ideas
When you are new to layering start out with classic layering pieces like twinsets, sheath dresses, or vests. In cold climate like Alaska, puffer vests are a great option for thermal comfort. More on how to wear a puffer vest and not look fat. In windy climates, try a leather vest. More on how you can wear a leather biker vest.
Winter Office Look Layering with Sheath
Sheath dresses are layering classic that never goes out of style. They are also the most easy way to layer. The same outfit idea just in another color gives you already a new office look. But you can also layer over your sheath. More on layering with sheath dresses.
Stylist tip: Don’t forget that accessorizing and styling your outerwear is a form of piling up pieces too.
Stylish Winter Layering to Stay Warm with Cardigans and Jacket
Midi skirt, tights, over-the-knee boots, sweater at the office and an old diamond leopard print jacket as outerwear to stay comfortable. Can you believe I have this jacket since I was a teenager?
Casual Posh Winter Layering
Casual Friday outfits don’t just mean jeans and T-shirt. Take a look of what weekend clothes you have in your closet and combine them for new looks for Friday at work. The outfit inspiration in the photos below brings you from office to drinks with the colleagues after work. The down vest provides insulation. More on wearing down vests without looking fat.
Boot toppers are great to double the insulation on your feet. More on creating mature looks with boot toppers.
How to Layer in Summer, Fall and Spring?
In fall and spring, use items from the warm and cold season. More on
transition your summer pieces into fall by layering with cold season pieces. More tips to style a summer dress for spring by layering.
More, on great summer outfits with layers to avoid a style rut.
Want style solutions for all kind of dressing situations? Buy my style recipe book How to Dress for Success in Midlife. Give yourself the gift of style.
Are you registered for my Newsletter to let you know about new posts and special style subjects? I’d highly appreciate it if you take the time to sign up.
In need for affordable gifts? Check my gift guide.
Photos of me: G. Kramm
© 2013-2022 Nicole Mölders | All rights reserved
Great suggestions for layering! I love your color combinations. You look fantastic in these outfits!
Thank you for sharing this post in the Talent-Sharing Tuesdays Link-Up 37.
Carol
scribblingboomer.com
Even though you live in a super cold place you always look amazing, Nicole. Love all these looks. Great fur coats and I love those burgundy boots so much!
Happy December! Welcome by and join my linkup this week and every Thursday. Thanks, Ada. =)
I just love the diamond pattern on this jacket, it is so unique yet looks so sophisticated!
Carrie
Hi, Nicole
Your jacket from high school looks like it’s still in perfect shape! You must have taken such good care of it. And I love those Vince Camuto chain-detail boots and that green outfit!
Thanks for showing us how you do it!
Angie
The diamond leopard print jacket is fabulous, and so unusual! I prefer cold crisp days to grey and miserable weather. It’s been horrible here in the UK, so grey and raining non stop. I want to see the sun again!
Emma xxx
I love how you match your hosiery to your outfits. Those berry compared tights and boots are just gorgeous.
Georgeous Outfit, dear Nicole! Love the combi of the jacket and the midi-skirt. You look very pretty 🙂
I like the burgundy sheath dress and the casual friday look with the BR skirt very much too.
Lots of love,
Nadine
I always enjoy your fashion mixes, Nicole. I cannot believe you can still ear something from HS, that ship has sailed for me-LOL! I really love the CK burgundy dress and boots combo and would wear it in a hot second. Have a great week! P.S. Thanks for the feature!
These outfits are perfect for our cold weather. You rocked these coats with your outfit like no other. They look chic and warm at the same time. And I would never guess that the jacket is from your teenage time. WOW it looks amazing on you and you elevated it beautifully.
Thank you for featuring me today. I am honored.
Ha, I’m definitely one who can’t even imagine 20 below. I break out the parka at 30 degrees. That diamond jacket is great.
x, Julie
Nicole, I am loving your coats and boots! All great outfits made even more spectacular by the boots and coats! That first coat has me dying over here!
Shelbee