Layering outfits is not just for staying warm—it’s a fashion trick that can elevate any style and add depth to your look.
Understanding how to layer may make all the difference, whether you’re dressing for a cold day or just want to create a more dynamic ensemble.
Here are 5 clever hacks that will help you layer like a pro, making your outfits not only stylish but also functional.
Summary of the video:
The video provides fashion tips on how to effectively layer clothes for a chic and flattering look.
Base Layer Transformation
The video starts by demonstrating a basic outfit: a plaid blazer paired with straight-leg jeans. While the outfit isn’t bad, it could be improved significantly.
To elevate the look, the presenter, Chi Li, switches the base layer to a turtleneck top, which is not only warmer but also trendier.
Instead of the straight-leg jeans, she opts for a skirt to elongate the legs. The next key step involves adding tights and knee-high boots. This combination not only creates a chic base layer but also makes her appear taller and leaner.
The plaid blazer is then added back to the outfit, and the result is a more polished and stylish ensemble. This highlights the importance of choosing the right base layer and playing with proportions (e.g., pairing longer jackets with shorter bottoms).
Proportions and Crop-Length Layers
The video stresses the importance of proportion when layering. A key tip is to go for cropped-length layers, such as cropped cardigans or tweed jackets, which sit above the hip. This style helps to elongate the legs and balance the overall look.
Chi Li showcases four pieces from Urban Revivo, a global fashion brand, emphasizing how their crop-length jackets give off a “rich girl” or “old money” vibe. These jackets can be paired with jeans to create a look that’s both casual and classic.
Proportion is critical, and when layering, it’s important to ensure that longer tops or jackets still define the waist, even if you’re going for a casual style.
Color Coordination and Sandwiching Effect
A useful layering hack is to match your shoes with your outerwear to create a cohesive look. This “sandwiching” effect involves having two similar colors (e.g., a black jacket and black shoes) at the outer layers, with a contrasting color in between. This technique creates a polished appearance.
Chi Li explains how this concept can be extended to other colors as well. For example, pairing a brown blazer with a brown skirt and tan boots achieves the same cohesive effect, especially when paired with a black top underneath.
By paying attention to the color scheme, layering becomes not only practical but also stylish.
The Importance of Belts in Layering
One issue with layering is the bulkiness it can add to the body, especially for shorter women. Chi Li explains that adding a belt is a game-changer because it defines the waist and prevents the body from getting “lost” in the fabric.
For shorter women, like Chi Li (who is 5’2″), longer jackets or blazers can be particularly tricky, as they can easily overwhelm the figure. By adding a belt, the outfit gains a focal point, which helps improve body proportions and directs the eye to the waistline.
The result is an enhanced body silhouette that ensures the legs appear longer and the torso better defined.
Longer Layers and Waist Definition
Although cropped layers elongate legs, the presenter also highlights the flattering effect of long layers, specifically ankle-length coats. Initially, she avoided them because, at 5’2″, she believed they were suited for taller women. However, she discovered that long layers can be flattering on any height when styled correctly.
The key to making long layers work is to ensure waist definition. Opting for coats with built-in belts or adding one yourself gives the outfit structure and prevents it from looking bulky.
To create the illusion of longer legs, it’s recommended to position the belt slightly higher than the natural waistline. This “tricks” the eye into perceiving the legs as longer, improving the overall body proportion.
Final Advice on What to Avoid
In the concluding section, Chi Li teases that there are certain layering styles that are difficult to pull off and should generally be avoided. She encourages viewers to watch another video for advice on which layering styles are unflattering for most women and which ones to embrace instead.
Overall, the video provides several essential layering hacks that women can apply to their everyday outfits, emphasizing the importance of proportion, waist definition, and color coordination to look polished and stylish.
*Summary created by AI and edited by author