Yep, we’re back here again. The cold weather tests our patience when it comes to style. Constantly too warm inside with the heat blasting, but too cold once you go outside? Time to study the art of knowing how to layer clothes for winter. And how to do so in a cute street style girlie way, rather than Joey from that one episode of Friends where he piles on Chandler’s whole wardrobe… Luckily, we’ve got you covered.
As stylist and writer, Michelle Li writes in her Substack: “Unfortunately, some of the most effortless looks are the most effortful.” She’s referring to the importance of trial and error when layering—figuring out which pieces work with others and in what order you should put them on. With the right combination of color (contrasting or tonal) and fabric (transparent or opaque), even the simplest wardrobe staples can create a statement look. As evident in Michelle’s artful approach to layering T-shirts, the visual impact is undeniable.
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A maximalist at heart, Toronto-based content creator Sara Camposarcone has a slightly different approach to layering. She’s a total magpie who loves to bring together pieces that kinda shouldn’t work but—in her hands—totally do. Although you might feel intimidated by some of her bolder looks, Sara has a knack for layering in a way that builds a tall, statuesque silhouette. Looking at her photos, you might never know she’s 5’1”. And it’s all because of the way she plays with proportion. What’s her method for nailing the layered look, though?
“It’s about creating interest and balance where interest is lacking,” she says. “For example, drawing attention to a pair of plain black trousers by layering a printed lace skirt over it, or adding a vintage corset over a basic T-shirt. It gives the outfit dimension, and when it’s thought out and well balanced, it rarely looks sloppy.”
Just like Michelle and Sara, the fashion girlies of Copenhagen are experts in transitional style that finds the balance between looking chic and being functional. The Danish capital and its residents have the recipe for looks that will keep you warm but also challenge the eye—bold accessories, unexpected color combos, and all those other extra flourishes that make the perfect layered look. Copenhagen Fashion Week is always rife with fun ideas that might inspire us to try new things and put pieces from the opposite sides of the wardrobe into one look.
Examples of how to layer clothes for winter, courtesy of Copenhagen street style
