As the end of this year gets closer and the temperature gets colder, a lot of people find it difficult to get dressed in the morning to be both stylish and comfortable. Here is a bit of Fashion North advice on layering for the winter:
The base layer
To keep the most warm, you will need your base layer to be tight so that you can layer over it and it should cover the most important parts of your body (e.g. the chest, the stomach). The materials should be thin and breathable so that if you get any moisture (such as sweat from walking and moving around), then the moisture can evaporate more easily through the fabric and no moisture stays on the surface of your skin, because that would make you colder. The best example of this is a long-sleeved thermal top and leggings or fleece lined tights if you want to wear a skirt. Make sure to wear good quality long socks and put the top of your socks over your leggings so that your skin isn’t exposed.
White thermal top from M&S
Grey thermal top from Uniqlo
Black thermal leggings from Amazon
The Middle layer
The middle layer should be made of materials that are really good at keeping you warm, this is often natural fabrics like wool and cashmere. Natural fabrics can be quite expensive, so it is good to get them second hand from charity shops, family members and websites like eBay, vinted and Depop. Some good examples of middle layers are wool knit jumpers, cotton/linen thick turtleneck, wool skirt, fleece lined hoodies, cargo pants and denim jeans
Grey hoodie from ASOS
Blue jumper from Cotton On
Black cargo pants from ASOS
Cream jumper from Next
Denim jeans from ASOS
Top layers
Your top layer should be something that you can easily remove if you get too hot whilst moving around or you go inside somewhere warm like a shop or a café. The outer fabric should be waterproof, especially if it is humid or cloudy. You can wear long or short coats, but longer coats are often better if your legs get coat easily. Some examples are fleece lined leather jackets, wool or leather trench coats and puffer coats.
Pink coat from Superdry
Black fleece lined leather jacket from New Look
Grey trench coat from ASOS
Accessories
It’s really important to keep your hands and feet warm when you’re outside because the circulation of blood to them is often worse during the colder months. It is also important to keep your head and ears warm. Therefore, you should try and avoid metal jewelry on your bare skin.
Make sure to try to wear:
-Cotton or wool leg warmers over trainers or inside boots
-Fluffy socks or thick outdoor socks (merino wool is a good option for a fabric)
-Knitted headbands
-Hats (e.g. beanies, fluffy bucket hats, Russian-style fur hat, wool berets)
-Thick gloves
-Wool or cotton scarves
-Earmuffs
-Boots (e.g. Uggs, leather or suede knee high boots, waterproof trainers)
Cream hat from Columbia sportswear
Grey gloves from Superdry
Pink headband from Amazon
White trainers from Converse
Brown suede boots from Ugg
Fashion North outfit picks:
Let us know your winter layering tips on Instagram @fashion_north
