How to layer clothes and look sleek
Photos: Claire Pepper
Not sure whether it’s menopause or the unseasonably warm weather (what are we calling it? The False Spring from the South?) but I’m totally into layering, right now. Going for elegant, longer layers here with the two-coat approach. Obviously this is the next step up from the denim jacket and overcoat combo – and I’m stopping now before I get carried away and go full-on Balenciaga. Style tip: keep it sleek by choosing lightweight base layers. The item underneath the old Burberry trench is actually more of a coatigan, or a lightweight spring coat. It comes in an unlined, double-faced, woven, navy wool fabric (a gift from Hobbs, currently 20% off at John Lewis, HERE), is easy to throw on and off and could be great with a boiler suit…
With layering, the aim is to look effortless. But that takes a little effort – as I found during a clothes-wrangling session in my bedroom (I’ve never worn a coatigan before, what to do with it?) Outfits need to be properly thought out and coordinated, not just thrown together. Spend time figuring out what goes with what. Another key style tip for elegant layering is colour consideration, finding tones that sit together well. Some of my favourites include: navy and burnt orange, khaki and red, burgundy and teal – although head-to-toe matching colour creates a column shape and can look incredibly chic. I always prefer a neutral backdrop, which more often than not includes khaki or navy or both. But beige and white with navy has a timeless appeal. If that sounds a bit unadventurous then add a colourful t-shirt or base layer – a blast of red would boost this outfit – add a neckerchief or some bling-tastic jewellery to whoop things up. With layers either a necklace that sits at the base of the neck or a longer Chatelaine style is best.
Layer up, people, this false spring could end in frost.
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Discussion (19 Comments)
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Lovely photos Aly but I’m reporting you to the subbing police for using the word ‘coatigan’!
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Oh, no – guilty of a fashion journalism crime! Using an ugly but self -explanatory portmanteau… I did grit my teeth as I pressed ‘publish’, honest.
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fleur beckwith says:
no coatigans are a real thing, i just ordered one from the uk (i am in oz) it arrived a few days ago and i live it but to hot to wear it yet, will be 36 degrees today…. sigh.
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Mrs Tonia says:
Sitting at desk in a combination of marigold yellow linen t-shirt with olive sweatshirt. A good way to wear all the yellow daffodil bits of clothing around. More spring like still is olive worn with peachy coral tones, Pantone colour of 2019 !?, and Parma violet and lilac with olive works well. All these provide good lift of colour round the face. Like a bit of make-up.
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maudie says:
I agree – the Pantone ‘Living Coral’ is a brilliant shade to snazzie up my neutrals and bring a bit of much needed warmth to my sallow skin. The shops are still a bit slow in bringing this shade onto the rails ‘though.
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Isobel says:
Oh I don’t know, Alyson… are you sure you don’t just want to go for it and wear, say, a cashmere hoodie under a glitter cardigan under a denim jacket under a corduroy blazer under a khaki utility jacket under a wool swing coat under a leopard print coat under a puffy coat??? And, oh, I think I’ve just gone one better than Balenciaga!
Seriously, tho’, you’ve definitely done the coatigan proud.-
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Love all the fashion insider jokes and reference to Balenciaga Autumn multi-layerings. We need a sense of mirth these days.
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julia Arch hunt says:
Alyson,
Great look, what brand are your jeans please?
Thank you keep up the great work-
Hello Julia, they’re actually MHL chinos bought several years ago in the Margaret Howell sale.
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sally says:
one of your links takes you to ARKET. What beautiful clothes! so sad no delivery to US.
great article!
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I’ve bookmarked this post and will be returning to it as I plan what to pack for an upcoming trip… our first with carry on luggage only. I think layering is going to be one of the keys to success. And, of course, I’ll be looking forward to “How to wear all your clothes at once” as I may have to do that on the return trip if I buy very much while we’re traveling! lol
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Autumn here in Tassie… hooray! But 35C max today and 37C tomorrow… boo!! No layering just yet… SIGH…
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Susan Beach says:
Girl, you are so funny. Now I finally have inspiration for what I am…a handbag wrangler.
Toomanyshoes 
Monty 
Jodi Brown 
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Looks great as usual Alyson. Yes the spring like conditions have been great but caught me unawares this week in too many layers of wool on a very warm day. Best solution I found for gallery going was a printed silk shirt under a black cashmere cardigan. Layering easy. Scarves and wool coat off as day progressed. Cotton socks not black nylon knee length ones. Like you in the photographs I have many beige raincoats. Max Mara old and favourite ones from
Bicester village design outlet. Hadn’t embraced spring to that extent. Tomorrow is the meteo logical start of spring apparently. So on with the lighter coats and raincoats. And colourful silk scarves to add warmth, softness and some colour to warm complexion round the face.
I agree that one has to try the layering combinations ahead of time to check armholes of coats if layers of cardigans added for example. I’m in agreement on tonal colour combinations also and mixes of things like khaki olive tones with red as you mention but I also like it with teal and Aqua And the French like camel and warm brown cinnamon colours with leopard with red accents, shoes, boots or bag. Experimenting in front of the mirror to generate unexpected mixtures of textures, prints, colours is key. A point you emphasise in your book.