Menswear layering ideas for 2022
Difficult to know what to wear at the moment isn't it? One minute it's cold and then it's really mild again, so I reckon the only way ahead is layering. Also it's a useful skill to acquire for when it gets colder, so you can layer up in a stylish way without looking like the Michelin man.
I often find things in my clients wardrobes, that they wear on repeat in exactly the same way. My job is to discover alternative ways they could wear the item, and often this includes layering it.
So don't just read this blog post - study it! And ask yourself if you could use any of these tips to make what you have in your wardrobe go further and introduce some fresh new looks....shop your own wardrobe as it's called in womenswear terms.
Layer a denim jacket
Wearing your denim jacket under a coat is one of my favourite looks - and obviously Officine Générale think it looks pretty good too, as that's how they've styled their coat shown here on the left. Alternatively, wear a t-shirt, and chunky knit cardigan and then layer the denim jacket on top, like they've done with the Acne jacket on the right. You could even add a scarf when it gets really chilly and maybe even a gilet on top if you really want to go for the full on layered look!
Left: Soft 'Jack' coat in double faced wool - Officine Générale - £685
Right: Distressed organic cotton denim jacket by Acne Studios at Matches - £360
Introduce a cardigan as an extra layer
Add an extra layer of a cardigan in between your shirt and your jacket - here it's done with a Mac and a coat, but if it's a fine knit cardigan it could also go under a blazer. As you can see from the images above, it works just as well with the more formal look on the left and the more casual look with the chunky knit on the right. And the other great thing about cardigans is if you really start to overheat, you can easily undo them to regulate your temperature.
Left: Check trench coat in printed water repellant 'Tech Mesh' - Slowear - £1,005
Right: 'Grandpa' coat in Combe green multi - Oliver Spencer - £495
Learn how to style your over-shirt in multiple ways
If you've got an over-shirt in your wardrobe but so far have only worn it over a t-shirt, then listen up. Got a polo neck jumper in your wardrobe? Wear it on top of that. Hoody? Chuck your over-shirt on with it. You could also try it over another casual shirt, or over a t-shirt and crew neck sweater. Once you've started experimenting, it's one of those things you'll wonder how you ever did without, plus it's perfect for the Autumn temperatures before we start pulling out the heavier winter coats.
Left: 'Basile' wool blend flannel overshirt - A.P.C. at Mr Porter - £235
Right: Navy 'Columbo' padded shell overshirt - NN07 at Mr Porter - £145
Add a sweater to your shirt and blazer combo
Whilst doing an online wardrobe edit the other day, my client showed me a lovely cord blazer that he wasn't wearing, as he found it a bit too formal. Once he'd readjusted his thinking, to considering more as an outerwear piece than tailoring, then it opened up more ways of wearing it........we styled it with crew neck t-shirts and various different sweaters, plus jeans. If you've got something similar in your wardrobe, you could also experiment with a shirt and some more casual knitwear like the Fairisle one above to make it more relaxed. Or if your blazer's smarter, then add a quarter zip sweater, like the one on the right, for a casual office look.
Left: Russet cotton corduroy games blazer Mk 1 - Drakes - £795
Right: Grey b-jersey wool/cotton houndstooth jacket - Boggi - £499
Wear your gilet under a jacket or over a jumper / sweatshirt
The stylists at Mr Porter have cleverly shown us how to style the same gilet in 2 different ways. You could easily wear it underneath a casual jacket like this workwear one for some extra warmth or pop it over a sweatshirt and t-shirt, as they've done on the right. Looks cool doesn't it? And is super practical too.....what's not to like? Once the weather chills right down, you could add it on top of a chunky knit or put it under a coat too.
Left: Navy double faced merino wool blend gilet - Mr P at Mr Porter - £185
Right: Dark grey double faced merino wool blend gilet - Mr P at Mr Porter - £185
What have you got in your wardrobe that you can try layering in a different way?
Or are there a few key items you think you need to add? If you liked this blog, but are not quite sure you'll get it right if you try and do it yourself. and would like some help to figure it all out, then get in touch.
Book in for a wardrobe edit below and I'll help find you find some new outfits within your own wardrobe and / or give you ideas on the right pieces to add so you can layer like a pro! Click the button below to book:
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5 x Ways To Style An Overshirt
