Autumn is a wonderful time for dressing up, but it can also be a little tricky.
In the morning you feel like putting on a sweater and a jacket, but in the afternoon the sun warms up and you can quickly get hot indoors again. That is why one of the most important skills in autumn dressing is layering.
However, layering doesn't have to mean wearing many thick garments on top of each other. At its best, it is about clothes that work together and are easy to add or remove during the day.
Start with a light base layer
Good layering starts with what you wear closest to your skin.
A thin top, t-shirt, blouse, or light sweater works as a good foundation that is easy to add other layers on top of.
If you know you will spend a lot of time indoors, it is a good idea to choose a base layer that you feel comfortable in even without a sweater or jacket.
That way, your outfit works for the whole day and not just when you are outdoors.
A sweater brings warmth without feeling heavy
In autumn, a sweater is one of the easiest ways to bring warmth to an outfit.
Instead of a thick sweater, a thinner merino, wool, or cashmere sweater often works particularly well for layering. It keeps you warm but also fits easily under a blazer or jacket.
A cardigan is also very practical in autumn because it can be easily opened or removed as the temperature changes.
If the sweater has more volume or a fuzzy surface, you can keep the other layers a bit simpler.
A blazer makes layering look polished
A blazer is one of the best layers for autumn.
You can wear a t-shirt, top, thin sweater, or button-up shirt underneath, and there is still room for a jacket on top if needed.
A blazer quickly makes even a casual look appear polished. With jeans it works for everyday wear, with trousers for work, and with a skirt or dress even for a more festive occasion.
When layering, however, it is worth ensuring there is enough room under the blazer. If you want to wear it with a sweater, a model that is too snug can quickly feel uncomfortable.
A vest is a surprisingly good autumn garment
A vest is a good option when a jacket feels too warm but a sweater alone is not enough.
A light puffer vest brings warmth to your core without adding too much bulk to your arms. Underneath, items like a sweater, sweatshirt, blouse, or button-up shirt work well.
A vest also adds an interesting extra layer to your outfit without the overall look becoming heavy.
Layer dresses and skirts too
Layering is not just about pants outfits.
A dress worn in summer can last well into autumn when you add a sweater, blazer, or cardigan on top and swap sandals for boots.
A sweater and blazer also work well together with a skirt. When materials and proportions are in balance, a layered outfit can look very light even if it has several garments on top of each other.
This also helps many garments last much longer from one season to the next.
Shoes finish the autumn outfit
In autumn, shoes change the vibe of an outfit surprisingly much.
The same trousers-and-sweater combination looks more relaxed with sneakers, more classic with loafers, and immediately more autumnal with boots.
Especially with wide and long trousers, it is worth considering the shoes while trying on the trousers. The right hem length often depends on what kind of shoes you wear the trousers with.
Everything doesn't have to be the same material
In layering, combining different materials makes the outfit interesting.
You can wear a fuzzy sweater over a smooth blouse. A structured blazer works well with a sweater. Next to soft wool, you can combine denim, leather, or lighter viscose.
The outfit doesn't have to be built from similar materials. On the contrary, small contrasts often make the overall look more interesting.
Good layering starts with your own everyday life
There is no single right rule for layering.
One person needs three layers in the morning, another gets by with two. One spends the day in the office, another moves frequently between indoor and outdoor spaces.
Therefore, the most important thing is to think about how your clothes need to function in your specific day.
At My Milou, we always think about layering as a whole. What you already have, what a new garment works over, and how to make it as versatile a part of your wardrobe as possible.
Often you don't need a whole new wardrobe for autumn.
One good sweater, blazer, vest, or a new pair of shoes can be enough to make even your old clothes feel brand new again.♥
