Tips for Layering – stay warm AND cute!
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photos: dana for we heart this
On the east coast the temperatures are dipping like a roller coaster. Although I love fall, I sometimes feel like we get just a week of fall and then hit straight into deep winter. I also know a lot of you guys on the west coast get a prolonged fall season and it never gets as cold for you as it does for us. Either way, I thought talking about how to extend your wardrobe with layers would be a great fashion topic for this time of year. So what have I been buying in bulk this year?
Layering t-shirts
I have lots of short sleeved dresses that I want to keep wearing but I don’t want bare arms. My solution is to stock up on layering tees.
I like to mix patterns, so I have several striped long sleeves and patterned long sleeves to pair under solids or mix up with other patterns (I love black and white stripes with my black and white leopard skirt). I also like picking some great colors to do fun color blocking with my layering tees. I’m all about punching up neutrals and incorporating color into an outfit anyway that I can. J Crew has always had some of my favorite layering tees and Target always has long sleeve tees in stock in great stripes.
Colored Tights
I’ve talked about how to wear colored tights on we heart this before but seriously, these are my fall/winter wardrobe staple. Just last week I turned up the volume by pairing magenta tights with a bright yellow dress (shown above). I get the winter blues very easily so I try to perk up my wardrobe by not wearing tons of black and grey – since that seems to be so easy to fall into.
And the added bonus to tights is that as the temperatures get colder and you don’t want to wear dresses, you can add them as an extra layer without bulk underneath your pants! Check out We Love Color’s selection.
Cozy Knits
I’m all about lightweight cashmere sweaters/cardigans. They’re such a great staple and you can layer them and wear them fall, winter and into spring! I especially love them in great colors and Lands End Canvas has a ton of fantastic cashmere sweaters and cozy knits to stock up on (especially since the cardigan shown right is on sale for $29.99!) Throw a cardigan or v neck sweater over your favorite shift dress and then belt it for an instant outfit. And you’ve added an extra layer or warmth that’s still stylish without being super bulky.
Warm Shoes
And if you don’t buy the clothes, at least invest in one really great warm pair of boots or shoes that you can walk in. Seriously, if my toes are cold it’s a wrap for me for the rest of the day and I’m a complete mess. Seriously.
I know everyone either hates or loves Ugg boots but have you considered their loafers or clogs? They keep my feet so toasty and warm that I’m not thinking about how cold I am or if I need a space heater under my desk at work. Buying their loafers for myself one year for Christmas was probably one of the best gifts I ever gave myself.
Those are my tips on how to layer and stay warm, what are you favorites to wear this time of year?
DWJ is an accessories and beauty blogger for The Art of Accessories and is also sharing her love of cooking on Crumbs & Creativity.
@dwj1 –Thanks for another great article. I love that you always drive home the use of color. I tend to wear quite a lot of black and need the “color” reminder. I have been wearing clogs this season. They look great with my winter skirts. I have not found boots that are exactly what I am looking for. I am looking for the right proportion for my short legs.
I wish I could do what you do with bright colors! I am trying.. I am so used to wearing dark colors.. This just is adorable on you and you are inspiring me to branch out @dwj1~
Thanks for yet another great piece!
@dwj1, I love your posts!
I wish I could be as confident with color- one thing I fail at too is prints..I look in my closet and all I have is solids. I am really loving the magenta tights!
I’ve too have been consciously trying to add color to my wardrobe thanks to @dwj1 Dana’s articles – and layering has been key for me. I’m the type that goes from hot to cold to hot again all day long – so I like to wear a few layers – a tank, a tee, a cardigan on top and add/remove as needed.
I started wearing bright tanks (hot pink, royal blue, etc) for a bit of color peeking beneath the layers of black, brown and gray.
I co-sign this whole post @dwj1! Love that being cozy and warm doesn’t have to mean drab and dull.
@dwj1 , your bright tights are going to send me on a hosiery shopping spree! I love the look you’ve put together and all your tips, too. Thanks for inspiring me to stay warm in style this winter!
Great post :) I definitely need to add some color to my wardrobe (well, I do have quite a bit of pink though). Boots and tights have always been fall/winter staples of mine, since here in the Pacific Northwest, it’s going to be rainy for MONTHS, and I HATE it when the hems of my pants get wet! (That’ll make me uncomfortable for hours at work). I also loooove scarves. I have tons, in all sorts of colors and patterns. When my neck is cold, I feel cold, but a nice big Pashmina scarf keeps me feeling toasty, indoors and out.
Oh @dwj1, I think you are my fashion twin! I <3 you.
While I can’t condone wearing fuzzy shoes (slippers in disguise) outside of the house I’m all for warm shoes. I’m with you- cold feet mean all day misery. That said, there are plenty of options that don’t include looking like a lazy college kid! I’m a fan of Timberland boots or LLBean. They’re not just snow boots anymore, they have tons of fashion forward choices! LLBean Signature is a great newer line to consider for warm yet attractive clothing and accessories.
And @Dwj1 – I totally wore my tights in that exact color last week! I’m not quite as brave as you, my dress was black, but we’re tight twins!