How to Dress in LAYERS!

When it's freezing outside, but they have the heat on in the office (or vice-versa with the AC!) it can be hard to dress appropriately. Let's break down the pieces required to layer your outfits while maintaining your personal style!

Start with the BASE!

Having a super solid base layer makes every other step easier. To choose this piece, know your office (or try to predict it at least). If you know that your office is always warm, opt for a short sleeve or tank base layer to build upon. I really love these Express Body Contour tops, they help me feel really secure and confident in my outfit. The scuba-type material is a great way to add some texture to your outfit as well! For long sleeves, I recommend anything by CuddlDuds. They are insanely soft, almost BUTTERY, and they keep you so so warm! These are amazing base layers to any outfit for layering.

Next: the "INSIDE" layer!

By "inside" layer, I mean a clothing layer you are comfortable wearing indoors, on top of your base layer that you selected above. As I am writing this, I am rocking my inside layer, a huge cozy blanket scarf! It reminds me of those girls in high school who always wore a throw blanket over their backpack and clothes. They were onto something here!

To choose a safe inside layer, I recommend choosing something that will help you get closer to your ideal body temperature. It seems obvious, but let me elaborate. It is freezing today, and it is always freezing in the business building at school. I want to be warm, so I am wearing a thick knitted material for my inside layer to make me warmer. In the summer, when the office at work is a million degrees, my inside layer is often a cotton button down shirt worn open over a tank. It keeps me cool and comfortable. Check out what that might look like down below for inspiration.

The "OUTSIDE" layer!

This is the coat, jacket, poncho, whatever you wear to brace against the elements! I personally love a fun jacket in the winter time. In the summer, this is the layer I am 100% going to skip because it is wayyy too hot outside.

If I am going for warmth, I love a duster coat. Something that will come down past my knees to keep the heat in (especially if I have to park far from my building!). Last year, a family member gifted me this AMAZING red duster from Express, and I am constantly looking for excuses to wear it out.

In the rain, my outside layer will be something to keep me dry (whether or not it is cold outside). A classic yellow raincoat is just a fun piece to any wardrobe, even if you tend to only wear black! It's giving Coraline, which is definitely an alternative style.

I clearly recommend your outer layer to be something special to you, a statement piece you are confident rocking often (since who owns more than 1-2 coats anyway). This is an investment piece for sure, but it will be worth every penny in the winter months.

How to ace it!

Layers are a chance for texture and color to get into your wardrobe. I know I preach wearing solid black, but sometimes its nice to switch it up! These are pieces that do not rotate often, and should be chosen to match your chosen wardrobe style. Check out these examples of amazing layering that you can incorporate in your 9-to-5 uniform!