Lowdown on layering

Graphic by Caitlin Orsino

There are plenty of ways to breathe life into your outfits while still maintaining a proper temperature. Bundling up for the early fall and winter is the practical way to go in order to keep warm while having something more airy can help one stay cool during the late spring into the summer. Being practical doesn’t mean you have to be fashionless though. Here are some trendy methods you can use to spice up your outfits year-round.

Winter outfits can come in many different forms, seeing as you can put on almost as much as you want—within reason. The key to this is layering and making sure that each layer has something it brings to the overall scheme of the outfit.

Typically, a good rule to follow when having multiple layers is to have a dark color for the base, something colorful for a trim, and then something solid to top it off. Solid shades of beige, grey, black, or brown can serve as a base for building an outfit.

For instance, I have a ton of blank, grey t-shirts that I throw on in the morning as well as matching jeans. Any pants work, as long as you match that aesthetic on top, of course; sweatpants with sweatshirts, jeans with button down shirts.

Now that you have a base color, you can put on something more “poppy,” like a red or blue, to give the outfit a colorful trim. This can come in the form of a light scarf, sweatshirt, or my personal favorite, a button down that stays open. After that, one could put their heavier coat over the outfit to finish it off, making it look trimmed at the edges.

Alternatively, if you have a favorite t-shirt to show off, you can leave your upper layers unbuttoned and have the design show right through the center. If you’re going to be outside on a colder day for extended periods of time with this style, I would recommend getting a long sleeve shirt or sweater to wear underneath to keep your chest warm.

Clothing for warmer weather, while simpler, is tougher to work with, as you’re limited to the amount of flair you can add without overheating.

The style I always use is a simple pair of cargo shorts that go just over the knee, a t-shirt, and a short-sleeved button-down. I try to layer even in the summer but again; heat.

Sporty looks are always trendy as well, often styled as a pair of gym shorts and a t-shirt. If it isn’t too hot, a common style is a pair of pants of your choice and then a Hawaiian or solid button down with the sleeves rolled up. Try to go for colors like a light blue or white so that you’re not overheated by the darker colors absorbing heat.

These are simply some tips for fashion I’ve seen in trends online and from my own experience, but feel free to find your own style that works for you and keeps you warm or cool with the changing New England temperatures. The most important thing is that you stay true to your personal style.