Your Guide To Winter Layering (Minus The Bulk!)
Winter is halfway over, which is a glass half-full/glass half-empty situation. We're excited about the impending spring weather, but we also happen to like wearing sweaters all the time. That said, winter layering can be tricky.
How do you keep warm while staying stylish? We have a some tips to get you through the rest of what doesn't have to be such a cruel winter. From the best alternative to puffy jackets to the real trick to turning up the heat (hint: innerwear!), we've got your snow-loving (or hating, really) self covered.
1/6Build A Foundation
The key to being warm but not bulking up starts with innerwear. You would be shocked how much more comfortable you can be with the right pair of tights or an under-the-sweater shell. We’re devotees of Uniqlo’s Heattech line, which proves thin fabric can keep a whole lot of warmth in.
Uniqlo Heattech sleeveless top, $12. Uniqlo.com.
2/6Dress for the cold — and look stylish doing so.
3/6Accessorize, Accessorize, Accessorize
We always forget just how much knit accessories help fight the cold. Scarves, hats, and gloves cover up your most sensitive-to-temperature areas and can add a pop of color if your black coat kind of girl. We like to mix up patterns and textures, but matching sets are just as nice. Pro tip: fingerless gloves keep your hands surprisingly warm and allow you to text to your heart’s content.
ASOS Bow gloves, $10. ASOS.com.
4/6Material Matters
This is probably a no-brainer, but think about what fabrics you’re wearing during cold months. If you’re into plaid shirts, flannel is the way to go during the winter. Cashmere and wool (Merino is the softest kind of wool, by the way) sweaters are preferable to cotton ones, and a fleece-lined sweatshirt is both cozy and on-trend. Throw any of these tops over a summer dress or pair with a miniskirt (and tights!), and you’ll be comfy, as well as closet-savvy.
Boutique Cashmere check sweater, $130. Topshop.com.
5/6Treat Your Feet
Socks and boot liners can make all the difference when it comes to your freezing toes. Cute socks are easy to come by these days, and we even like pairing them with tights for a slightly off-kilter look. You can also head to an outdoor store like REI to stock up on warm hiking socks. And if you’re really hardcore (or live somewhere super cold), replaceable liners add an extra layer of protection as well as extend the life of your boots.
Sorel Innerboot liner, $40. Sorel.com.
6/6Banish The Bulk
Marshmallow jackets, puffers, sleeping bag coats — whatever you call them, they aren’t the only way to go when it comes to outerwear. Thinsulate is exactly what it sounds like: thin insulation. When you buy a coat with Thinsulate lining (J.Crew has tons of them), you are guaranteeing a sleeker silhouette without the comfort compromise. Faux fur also provides added warmth and an instant dash of cool.
J. Crew Double-cloth day coat with Thinsulate, $325. JCrew.com.
