Are you totally thrown by the term “layering” in menswear? Don’t worry, most men are. The Saville Style Blog is here to help fix that. Follow these five simple guidelines and you’ll become an expert in layering in no time (Although you may think the timing is a little off for a layering post, remember that we live in Ireland, after all, and layering is vital for our ever-changing climate.)
What is layering?
It’s not just for women you know. Layering can and should be done by anyone with half an interest in style. It is the practice of wearing multiple layers of clothing in a balanced, fashionable, harmonious manner. While layering isn’t for everyone (some guys prefer to don a large, bulky, bog-standard coat), most people agree that layering relishes the idea of adding new dimensions to their look, with the option of adding/removing layers as the weather changes. Those, after all, are the two fundamental purposes of layering: for warmth and for style.
Basic rules of layering
1. Each layer should be something you can wear on its own
This is vital, as a key function of layering is the option of adding/removing items. Starting off the day, you will need to wear most (if not all) layers, as the mornings are always coldest, e.g. a t-shirt-shirt-bomber-coat-scarf. As the day progresses and the weather gets warmer, you will want to take off a layer or two (this is why it’s a bad idea to just wear one really warm layer!) so it’s vital that your comfortable showing each layer.
2. Always wear thinner layers first
This is straightforward and fairly logical. The closer the clothing to your skin, the thinner the layer. Make sure you start with slim-fitting, thinner fabrics such as a cotton t-shirt, turtleneck or a slim-fitting dress shirt, and then layer over these with heavier items such as a waist coat, sweater, blazer, jacket, etc. Also, keeping inner layers fitted will ensure your outfit doesn’t look too bulky!
3. Mix in some color
Just because the weather may be dull doesn’t mean your dress sense should be. Be fearless and don’t hesitate to mix & match your colors. Navy tones work best with blues and browns, but try to splash in a vibrant red or green. Don’t fade into the background.
4. Scale your patterns from subtle to strong
It’s important to ensure that your layers don’t clash in both pattern and color. You can go in either direction for this one, but remember never to mix contrasting patterns. For example: if your overcoat is strongly colored with a heavy tweed pattern, you should wear a more restrained blazer and a single-colored shirt so that you have less and less patterns as you move closer to your core. Alternatively, if you have a flannel/tartan pattern shirt, wear a jumper/sweatshirt with minimal texture and finish with a smooth, solid overcoat. Which ever way you choose, ensure there is a smooth transition from subtle to strong.
5. Experiment with your layers
The options are endless when layering. Most layers consist of a t-shirt/shirt/jumper/jacket……boooooring! Mix it up with these items:
Dare to denim
Denim is the perfect item to add that trendy edge to your layered look. Denim shirts and jackets work with most outfits but make sure they fit nicely and can be worn under a coat.
The Classic Cardigan
Perfect for colder days, cardigans are an essential to any stylish man’s wardrobe. Rugged fabrics like tweed and thick wool, when matched tailored items look incredible. For example: try wearing a dress shirt & tie with a tweed waistcoat, thick wool cardigan and a pair of dark denim jeans/chinos with brown dress shoes.
Go for the Gilet
Gilets, or sleeveless jackets, are another great accessory to use when layering. For a more formal look, opt. for a neutral colored gilet with a shirt or blazer. For a more casual look, wear a stronger colored gilet with a jumper or sweater. You can also mix things up and layer it under your suit jacket, adding a nice point of different to your attire while still keeping you warm.
Try the Turtle-neck
Don’t be afraid of the turtleneck/polo-neck. These are fast-becoming a trend on the streets of Cork and the options are endless. Wear one under your shirt, jumper or blazer to add a touch of class to your everyday look.
So there you have it! Don’t be afraid to experiment with layers. The options are endless and you can mix & match in as many ways as you like. A quick tip to help you when trying it out: opt. for one strong pattern, one strong color and one neutral color and you can’t go wrong!
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