When it comes to men’s layering, the two most-asked questions are Why and How?
Let’s kick off with Why:
If you want to be perceived as someone who has a sense of style, my advice to you come Autumn or Winter is (pretty much) Always adopt the layered approach, instead of blanketing yourself in one mahoosive jacket. Before Canada Goose owners bite my head off, please remember this is subjective.
Just like in boxing, a four-five punch combination is a lot more exhilarating and easy on the eye for the crowd than a lackadaisical single jab approach. It’s the same with apparel.
Moving on to How:
As I alluded to in the title, layering is in my eyes, an art.
I want to stress ‘layering’ isn’t simply wearing every single item of clothing that you own - think Joey wearing Chandler's whole wardrobe in Friends.
It’s Never easy to identify a collection of different styles, textures, colours and sizes (yes they should all come into consideration) hence why it’s so hard to pull off.
So here’s a few go-tos I’ll Always consider when embarking on a journey into the unknown.
Roll Neck
I once heard that our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate but that we are powerful beyond measure…As blokes, I swear our deepest fear is whether or not to risk wearing the dreaded roll neck?
Well why not try baby steps?
Instead of jumping straight in and rocking a roll neck from the off, why not submerge it within some smart layering? It can look really great beneath an overshirt, which then lies beneath a Shearling…Don’t let the roll neck allow you to feel inadequate.
Denim Jacket
Much like Brad Pitt, this item has the ability to play the leading role, yet also nail the understudy, and in either instance deliver an Oscar worthy performance.
Spring Summer: Lead role
Autumn Winter: Understudy
What do a crew neck t-shirt, lightweight roll neck, Oxford shirt and crew neck jumper all have in common? They can all be worn seamlessly beneath a denim jacket.
What do a gilet, wooden overcoat, field jacket and puffer all have in common? They can all be worn effortlessly over a denim jacket.
Overshirt
In life, we’re often told not to sit on the fence; this is your opportunity to do just that, and do it in style. Perfectly positioned between the shirt and the jacket, the overshirt is one of the most powerful player of the layering kingdom. It can be styled with a neutral t-shirt, lightweight roll neck or even a shirt. The overshirt makes the layering world your oyster.
Cardigan
If I was to play a word association game with my mates and ‘Cardigan’ came up, their answers would resemble the following: ‘Geography teacher, melt, stay-at-home dad, Justin Bieber 2008.’
And they’d be right.
Yet, they’d also be very wrong.
If you can bring a cardigan into play, either paired with tailoring, or perhaps a shawl lapelled number to go beneath an overcoat, it can really look quite good.
Hoodie
In terms of my own personal wardrobe, the hoodie is back, albeit in a slightly different form. Band names and brand slogans have been vanquished, replaced by simple plain neutral colours.
Remember the times of donning a hoody beneath a thick Gillet, rain jacket or a Shearling..? Well, allow me to say the time for reminiscing is over; put that plan back into action.
Capiche?
When it comes to the art of layering, just like any masterpiece, you must equip yourself with the right tools; the above are Always good starting points.
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