Photo by Collage Vintage

The Cold Weather Layering Guide

One of the perks of plummeting temps is having the freedom (or dire need, depending on how you look at it) to get creative with layering. You don’t always want to rely on a heavy coat, and piling on mix-and-match pieces allows you to go as cool or as cozy as needed. Below, our go-to techniques.

Look One

The ultimate weather-appropriate way to wear a trench coat has got to be this riff on the classic, French-girl look: a Breton stripe sweater (substantial enough on its own should you shed the trench), skinny jeans, and ankle boots—all tied together with a pop-of-print clutch and a red lip.

Look Two

Don’t put away your denim jacket just yet, it’s actually the ideal cold-weather styling device. Think of it as a structured cardigan of sorts, perfect for throwing over lightweight knits and under menswear-inspired coats. And since no item of clothing feels good on dry skin, that body oil serves as your base layer.

Look Three

Though rarely warm enough to wear on its own too deep into the fall season, a military jacket makes a great top layer over chunkier knits. Stay within the edgy family and opt for sleek pieces in dark hues (leather pants and a bag to match). Finish with a lightly tinted balm and little else.