Pinch and a punch, it’s the first day of the month and the official start to winter.
I’ve had a little taste of cooler weather this week and quickly remembered how our Queenslander house is not made for anything but summer.
If you can get out into the sun, that’s a whole different story. Winter in Queensland is glorious.
What is layered on in the morning is peeled off by the half hour.
It’s this layering that I want to address here. I liken it to those Sara Lee danish ads of long ago. It was all about the “layer upon layer” that produced a deliciously light and fluffy pastry.
With clothes, we want to create a deliciously light (but maybe not fluffy) layer upon layer of clothes – without an end result that would have us imitating another TV ad of old, the Michelin Man.
There are a few tips and tricks to successfully nail how to layer clothes in winter without looking bulky and I’m going to share them here.
Weekend layering
Base layer: (similar) Jeanwest Prima jeans | Bohemian Traders tee | FRANKiE4 Footwear JENNi sneakers
Add: Light-wool scarf (similar here)
Add: UNIQLO flannel shirt worn as open jacket
Add: UNIQLO Ultra Light Down jacket
7 tips for how to layer your clothes
1. Your base pieces need to look ok without anything layered on it. This is where I can often be let down if it warms up and I haven’t considered how my base pieces (eg jeans and tee or long-sleeve tee) look when the layers are off. Does the t-shirt sit well and look smart enough without any icing on top? Nail the base and you’ll never be afraid to de-layer.
2. Make your layers light in weight. If you live somewhere cold this doesn’t mean sacrificing warmth. It means utilising layers that don’t require bulk to keep you warm. Think cotton blends, cashmere and merino wool. Even a jacket can have warmth without the bulk – the ultra light down range at UNIQLO fits this brief. .
3. Wear pieces made from technical heat-retaining fabrics as undergarments. Hands up if your mum made you wear a spencer back in the day. Yes, me too. They were scratchy and made me feel like a nana. Not so, the spencers of today – particularly in the HeatTech range from UNIQLO. Layer HeatTech leggings under jeans or a tee or tank underneath shirting. The fabric is super thin and won’t add bulk but works to keep you warm.
4. Keep thick knits, coats or jackets as the very outer layer. If you look at each of your winter outfits and make only once piece on the thick side, then your outfit will be balanced out. You won’t feel like the layers have made you look and feel bulky. A heavy coat will not appear bulky if worn back with streamlined, lightweight knit or technical fabric layers. If you work in a corporate office then the coat will be key because once you’re at the office, it will be warm, so underneath will be similar to what you wear all year round. A chunky knit will appear balanced in an outfit when worn with skinny jeans or leggings.
5. Embrace the cape or wrap. My favourite outerwear pieces are the ones that essentially give you permission to leave the house wearing a blanket. The rise of the cape, wrap or shrug in all manner of fabrications has been an absolute win for those of us who aspire to “couch chic”. Underneath you wear any level of layers you might need for warmth. It could be just be a short-sleeved t-shirt and jeans if you live where it’s mild. Add on the blanket/cape layer and you immediately have a layered/put-together look that keeps you warm but also looks the business because of the addition of winter textures.
6. Swap out leggings for ponte pants. If you’re wearing an outfit that includes a tunic-style dress or top, opt for a thicker pant in ponte. They’re still the streamlined shape of a legging but with more warmth. If it’s super cold, add heat-retaining leggings or tights underneath the ponte pants.
7. Concentrate on covering and keeping your extremities warm. My dodgy thyroid lets me know the minute the weather has changed and my hands and feet are perpetually cold for the duration of winter. Keeping feet encased in wool or heat-retaining socks and boots helps; as does keeping a pair of gloves in the pockets of my coat or in the car for early mornings. Hats, beanies and scarves work to keep heat from escaping around the neck and head. All of these extremity layers can make great fashion statements so embrace not just for the practicality.
15-piece layering capsule wardrobe
Sort and prep your wardrobe for the winter ahead with layering pieces that keep you warm but enable you to easily peel off if required.
Below is a mix of pieces, from undergarments, to knits, pants, jackets and coats that will be your winter wardrobe friends for many a cold-weather season to come.
1. Metalicus snood $49 (on sale)
2. Hammock and Vine faux fur stole $99.95 @ Birdsnest
3. Katies cotton cashmere cardigan $79.95
4. Very Very coat $429.95 @ Birdsnest
5. Metalicus coat $199.95 (on sale)
6. UNIQLO Ultra Light Down jacket $109.90
7. Katies leather jacket $299.95
8. Katies poncho $49.95
9. Sussan ponte legging $79.95
10. UNIQLO HeatTech tights $14.90
11. UNIQLO HeatTech socks (two pairs) $14.90
12. Kooringal hat $49.95 @ Birdsnest
13. Dents leather gloves $69.95 @ Birdsnest
14. UNIQLO HeatTech t-shirt $14.90
15. UNIQLO HeatTech long-sleeve top $19.90 (on sale)
How is your winter layering wardrobe looking? Are you sorted? And if you live where it’s very cold all winter with no chance of a de-layer during the day, share how you keep warm without the bulk.
Comments 21
Hi Nikki,
Just wondering what size you take in UNIQLO heattech tshirts ? THANKS
Perfect timing, Nikki. It’s been freezing in Sydney! I was searching for a quality long sleeve t-shirt today so the UNIQLO one should sort me out nicely. I knew I should have started on your blog first! xx
Oh good luck – hope it works for you x
Awesome Nikki, I’ve been waiting for a post about winter layering and you have well and truly delivered! I don’t know anything about Uniqlo, I’m going to have to check it out. Thanks for a great post!
You’re very welcome and enjoy checking out UNIQLO!
good tips thanks nikki!
I hate bulky! but I love puffer jackets! so warm!
I like your winter capsule hun!
those queenslanders are a bit cold in winter!
but they are lovely though! love m:)X
Puffer jackets are so warm – I’m a new fan! x
I am a recent visitor to the Uniqlo concept and I am very impressed; I definitely need some of that heat tech action for layering!
I’m new too Beth but a total convert – go the whole family on board!
What size did you go with for the Uniqlo jacket? I cannot find a size chart on their site and wasn’t too sure how the sizing would work?
I’m in the XL Simone.
I’m with you on those base layers of warmth and have some Uniqlo heat tech as well as merino pieces from other labels.
Getting ready for the colder weather on the weekend, I tossed out last winter’s well worn tights. I also tossed out some printed and coloured tights and leggings that I did not wear last winter and that I’m not feeling I want to wear this year either.
For now I want to wear my black, charcoal and navy tights in various deniers and materials and yesterday I stocked up with some great savings at the sales.
I” wearing my Sussan ponte tights today and they are so warm. I’ve been getting a lot of practice with layering this week as we have had 8 degree mornings.
Yes, the mornings have been cold here too … a bit warmer today but I’m ready for it!
Morning Nikki, and a pinch and a kick back to you. We holidayed in UK/Norway through December/January and did a bit of shopping then – so thankfully I’m pretty well sorted for winter. I’m loving that checked flannie though! May have to get one.
Bet you can’t wait to trot out those purchases Kathryn!
Great post Nikki, love your layering guide especially the first point about having a good tee or top one the first layer I remember being caught out years ago by not liking what was underneath!
I am sorted I think except for some navy tights to wear with a dress,thank you Nikki I love a poncho,wrap or cape keep warm❄️ our house is very cold too Xx
There is nothing worse than heating up and realising you just have to live with it as what’s underneath isn’t up for public consumption!
I like the slideshow, what a great idea. I’m pretty sorted I think, thanks to you 🙂
That is great to hear Kathryn!
Me too Kathryn, love the slide show and all the tips from Nikki, I’m sorted as well, but then as I am from Melbs and we have to layer as the weather is so fickle every day!
I love all the light wool wraps around too, stylish and warm and can give you a colour boost and a deep but bright lipstick in winter is a killer boost