Today I want to talk about layering your clothing. Since the colder months are coming up here in the US, it’s time to start thinking about dressing a little warmer. And layering is a great creative way to not only accomplish the function of dressing warm, but also the form of staying stylish and looking cool.
To start with, I’m not reinventing the wheel here, but layering is not only functional like I mentioned, because it can absolutely help keep you warm, but layering can also be pretty stylish and set you apart from everyone else. Also, keep in mind this stuff is all subjective, so take away what you want and leave what you don’t. I’m just here to help with creativity and some outside the box inspiration.
The first point I want to mention is layering not only shows creativity, thought and intent with you’re wearing, it also adds quite a bit of depth and texture to your outfit. Here’s the thing though, in order to show your creativity and depth, make sure the layers are visible. Mess with different lengths, proportions, fabrics and patterns (more on patterns in a minute) and make sure your layers can be seen.
One common mistake I see, is guys will incorporate too many layers. So try to stick with about 3-4 layers max. Otherwise you can get uncomfortable, you can look too bulky, or it can be physically hard to move around and the whole look you’re going for can kind of go south at that point. This should go without saying, but your heavier and thicker fabrics should go on top as your final layer. Base layers start with thin fabrics and get thicker and heavier as you layer on top.
A lot of the layering pieces you’re seeing in this video are from the guys over at Peter Manning who are helping me out with a bunch of really cool pieces so I can show you these layering ideas a lot better in the video. Peter Manning was originally started for shorter guys who needed inseams below 30”. Even for me at 5’9”, my ideal inseam is 30. Same goes for sleeve length and the overall length of a shirt. I can find well-fitting shirt options pretty easily that fit pretty well in the body, but the sleeve length is always too long. And, even if I find a casual shirt that’s supposed to be worn un-tucked, it’s still usually too long. The stuff from Peter Manning was designed from the start to fit the shorter guy and the average height guy, so for me, the sleeves are perfect and the lengths are perfect.
I’ll leave a link to Peter Manning along with a discount code (40OVERFASHION) that gets you 20% off for the first 100 customers, and the code is good for 1 use per customer. So if you’re a shorter guy or even average height like me that enjoys a modern take on classic pieces, I highly encourage you to go check out their site and see what they’ve got.
Now, because a layered outfit already has a lot going on visually, try to keep patterns to a minimum. When in doubt, stay conservative and go with solids. If you want to add patterns, maybe stick with just one to begin with. If you do decide to go with two different patterns, make sure you follow the pattern mixing rule and go with patterns of different size and scale.
Real quick before I get to the last few items, if you like what you’re seeing here, please consider subscribing to my YouTube channel because I’m here twice a week with new videos. And, if you feel like you’re getting something out of this video, do me a solid and tap that thumbs up button because it actually does make a difference.
Alright, next, try to keep in mind that everything you wear in a layered outfit should also be able to work on it’s own. What I mean is, if you take your jacket off, does your mid and base layer still look good, or do you need the jacket to cover up something about your mid-layer underneath that doesn’t quite work by itself? Also, if you’re ever on the fence about whether or not you should tuck your shirt in or wear it out, always default to tucking it in because that will rarely go wrong.
Lastly, you can also introduce accessories like a knit tie, a different color watch or watch strap, a textured pocket square, a leather bag or briefcase or even a nice muted color scarf.
Like I mentioned, I’ll leave that discount code: 40OVERFASHION to Peter Manning here so you can take advantage of it, and I’ll see you guys in just a few days for another brand new video, but until then, be good to yourself.
Good information!!!