Lovely Layers

            For many of my friends, their most favorite thing about fall, besides the leaves changing, is their ability to start integrating their fall/winter wardrobe into their day to day looks.  Their love the fact that they can start to pile on the clothes and wear cute layered looks all day.  So I figured, I’d give my tips on how you moms can successfully layer this season.  No, I’m not talking about throwing on a jacket and a parka and calling it a day.  I want you to be able to lightly layer your outfits to give you a fashion forward yet mommy functional look for you to wear out and about whether it’s with baby Julie, or your 22 year old daughter Beth.  Listed below I have narrowed a list down to a couple of items that will help you make layering that much easier, and yes some of these may have even appeared in my winter must blog, so you’re already off to a head start.

1.       Cardigan.

a.       So often I feel the Cardigan is underestimated.  It’s normally used to create a collegiate look, and is considered too light weight for colder climates to be worn as proper outer wear.  BUT, if you teamed up a baby cardigan over a white blouse and layered that a pea coat or trench, you have a chic new way to rock the cardi and still stay warm!  This also gives you the ability to take and add layers when you arrive to a destination indoors.  If you’re a working mom with a business casual dress code at work try layering a pull over cardigan over a dress shirt, add a tie if you see fit, and pair it with some coordinated slack.  This gives you again, the ability to wear layers and keep warm on the way to work.  And if you’re like me, and get hot too easily, you’ll always have the option to take off the layer without compromising your outfit!

2.      Statement Scarf

a.       This is one of the items that I did mention in my winter must haves, a statement scarf can really jazz up any outfit.  If you live in a warmer winter climate, like California, pairing this with a V-neck, denim, and a light weight cardigan is a perfect winter layered look.  Feel free to choose the type of fabric quality per your taste.  BUT, if you live in a colder climate try checking out some infinity scarves made from a thicker knit, they will keep you super warm and look really cute on!  Again pair this over a light weight sweater and layer with a heavier piece of outer wear more of a pea coat because of the textures, and you’ll have a super trendy, functional piece you can wear out and about.  And the great thing is if you get warm while inside you can always take layers off.

3.      Lightweight Sweater Vest

a.       This may be too similar to a cardigan, but the uses of a lightweight sweater vest in terms of layering cannot go un announced.  What is so great about this is that you can technically still layer a cardigan over this piece.  You can also use this piece at work with a dressy shirt/blouse.  Again the benefit being that it is removable.  For a day time look, a plane collared shirt or polo with the sweater vest and some denim or your favorite pair of thick leggings will do the trick.

 

Now, just some simple guidelines about layering, a layered look can be done in many ways.  Some different ways you can layer are, starting from outside in, a heavy outer weight, medium weight sweater material (Like the vest or the cardigan), light weight cotton top/blouse and pair with denim (throw in a thick legging if you feel adventurous).  Another option is to do a medium outer weight, like a pea coat, with a light weight cardigan wrap sweater (see picture) , a heavy scarf and very basic cotton V-neck.  Again, pair with bottoms as you see fit.  Well I hope this helps you create lovely layers moms.  Stay nice, warm, and bundled in this fall season, and remember, stay fabulous!