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Layering Tips & Tricks For Every Season

3/24/2015

19 Comments

 
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Hello! ^_^ Earlier this month, I had the honor and privilege of being a guest writer on
Her Name Was Celebration. Olivia asked if I could share some layering tips with her readers and I was happy to oblige! Later, it occurred to me that you guys might want to get a glimpse at this info, too. If you're already following Olivia's blog, you can ignore this. Also, if you don't follow her, check her out!

So, where to begin? Haha. Let's start with the outfit above. If you want to see a pictorial step-by-step tutorial, click here.
My aim was to create a medley of textures and shapes using fabrics of varying lengths. This is one of my more complicated ensembles. My monochromatic styles tend to be complex, mainly because it is difficult to do an outfit of predominately one color without looking homogenous and boring. You don't want the main color to look flat or one-dimensional. So, I suggest playing around with different shades of the color to create contrast and using different textures to add definition.

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Here is another example of a predominately monochromatic outfit, but with comparatively simpler layering. You will notice that I used various shades of brown so that each garment and accessory retained its identity. In other words, the brown garments don't blend together to form a one-dimensional blob. You can see and enjoy their differences. Yet, the colors in combination have a seamless quality.

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Brown and black are very safe colors to experiment with when you do any kind of layering. I would suggest starting with those first. However, don't forget that monochromatic styles are inherently difficult, because there is the challenge of making two or more garments of a similar color pop. There is a kind of art to this process that I enjoy, but getting it *just* right can be maddening. It takes practice!

When you're feeling a little more confident (or daring), try adding brighter colors to the mix. In this outfit, I was able to create a nine color ensemble without looking totally insane. Knowing which colors to choose was not easy. It took a lot of thinking, especially since I am not 100% confident in my bright colored outfits. Such outfits are a bit out of my comfort zone. The amount of colors used here may be too many for some people, but I really like how this outfit turned out. It's one of my favorites!

You can see that I played around with textures to make the outfit even more fun to look at. I combined vertical stripes from the scarf, skirt and tights with textured braids in the sweater, mittens and satchel. I'm very detail-oriented, but I feel like you kind of have to be that way when you do layered looks.

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So, we've talked about colors, patterns and using garments of varying lengths to add aesthetic interest to a layered outfit. One last thing worth mentioning is choice of fabric. Be mindful of the season! In my layered winter looks, for example, I usually wear cotton and wool. However, I try to be aware of the thickness of the fabrics I am using. You don't want to look like a burrito when you walk out the door. Haha. Sometimes, it's just so cold that the burrito look is unavoidable. I understand. For the most part, though, you can stay warm without adding unnecessary thickness to the outfit.
Just practice!

The same goes for summer outfits. You would think that layers are the last thing you would want in hotter months, but it can be done!
Take the outfit above, for example.
This is a steampunk style I wore over the summer. It was a very hot day, so I opted for light, sleeveless garments and an unlined skirt.

It is totally possible to layer up without getting a heat stroke! Haha. Knowing which fabrics to use and how to layer them is really the trick. I've had people comment on how my layered up styles look warm for the summer time, but you should know that looks can be deceiving! If you emphasize breathable cotton, sheer fabrics and minimal layering with the most aesthetic impact, you can look incredibly cool (and stay relatively dry) even at the hottest time of the year.
Again, it just takes practice!

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Finally, here is another example of a layered style I wore at a hot time of the year. I used light, wispy and breathable fabrics and played with shapes to make the monochrome outfit more interesting.

I hope you all found this layering style advice useful! If something I said wasn't clear or if you just find yourself with more questions than answers from reading this post, then by all means contact me by email or just leave me a comment. I'm more than happy to chat with you! Thanks for reading! *^_^*


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19 Comments
Noszę Co Lubię link
3/23/2015 10:22:04 pm

You are so creative! I absolutely love your blog and all the layers;-)

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Karolina link
3/23/2015 10:28:01 pm

great tips! very helpful :) I often use layers in my outfits, but try to use different colors.

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KizzyDoll link
3/24/2015 01:37:40 am

You do layering like a boss!! This first outfit, love it too much, perfect!! Bravo!! :)

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Charlotte link
3/24/2015 04:13:15 am

You are layering Queen! (And also Queen of socks...!)

captaincharghley.blogspot.com

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lisa link
3/24/2015 04:16:52 am

It's really hard for me to feel like an outfit is interesting enough without layers, but the brutal Phoenix summers make that so hard! I'm going to try your tips about fabrics this year! And I guess technically I'm mostly inside places with the ac too high anyways ;) Love your tips-- you are the queen of layers!

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Style sense moments link
3/24/2015 08:03:57 am

Since I do love your style I find this post so helpful, you always seem to nail those layers and I just play safe!!! Maybe I'll try to experiment bit more!!! ;) xo

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Mili
3/24/2015 08:30:29 am

Whenever I try to layer I always feel and look so bulky :( I've just kind of accepted it as something that doesn't fit into my personal style. But I always love seeing how other bloggers do it :) I especially love the last outfit, it's the perfect mix of pieces of different layers.

<a href="http://www.sharmtoaster.com/">Mili</a>

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Rebecca link
3/24/2015 12:39:55 pm

Awesome layering tips!

I like how so much of what you talk about is reminiscent of what I studied in my undergrad - colour theory, texture, shape, etc. Yay Design Elements! ;)

-Rebecca
http://mn2nz.wordpress.com

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Jamie link
3/24/2015 05:17:58 pm

Well I think your super brightly colored outfits are amazing! You do a great job pairing colors. Those monochrome looks are wonderful too. I definitely agree that it's about mixing textures and shapes to keep it interesting. I commend you on your summer layering. It'll stay close to 100 degrees for weeks where I live so I probably would die of heat stroke for real if I wore layers then. That's why I prefer the cool months of the year! Optimal layering ability!

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Denise link
3/25/2015 02:52:53 am

So nice to be a guest writer and your tips are so good! I totally get when you say "without looking insane" :) Cause I love layering too! My favorite looks now are the one with the collar and the camel colors, if I can call them this way. Really sweet! Then the one with the tie and the vest and this last one is amaaaaaaaaazing! I love black and white and you totally nailed it, it's really amazing and you look fabulous!
DenisesPlanet.com

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melanie link
3/25/2015 04:13:48 am

Fantastic tips-- super useful!
Melanie @ meandmr.com

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olivia link
3/25/2015 07:19:13 am

awesome tips!

http://fridaynightstyle.com/

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Missy May link
3/25/2015 09:18:44 am

Queen of layering. You're good at this. :) Thanks for sharing this tips with us. :)

missymayification.blogspot.co.uk

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Lauren Blair link
3/27/2015 05:20:16 am

You really are SO good at layering!! And that first photo is just too fabulous, by the way!

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Kreyola
3/28/2015 01:06:11 am

You are the queen of layering hands down. Love the first picture as far as laying is concern.

<a href="http://www.kreyolasjourneys.com/" rel="nofollow">Kreyola Jounerys </a> | <a href="http://instagram.com/kreyolas" rel="nofollow"> Instagram </a>

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Hannah link
3/29/2015 12:59:40 am

All the outfits in this post are real winners, in my book. You look like a queen in the last one, particularly. I really love how versatile you are; your monochrome outfits rock AND the ones full of color like the middle one, too.

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Forest Pizza Bunny link
3/31/2015 03:48:28 pm

Yeah, despite the courses I took that involves color theory, combining clothing colors is still a challenge!

I really love your ROYGBV picture, I like that that most of them are soft looking in value. I can kind of see Wes Anderson wanting to take your fashion palette.

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Kristian link
4/2/2015 04:15:49 am

Very helpful tips :D

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takisha link
4/4/2015 07:45:15 am

I really loved the first outfit and the second one.
I just appreciate when ,you wear black clothes. And all you outfits,are always amazing like you are.

Kisses my dear Anna.

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