The temperatures have started to drop and with that comes the opportunity to play around with layering. Here in Georgia it’s still warm enough to get away with a lightweight cocoon coat like this Uniqlo pieces that I wore religiously last winter. Layering is my favorite way to style an outfit because it allows you to wear more of your favorite things (kidding, sort of) and adjust to the changing temps throughout the day. It’s sort of like wearing 3 outfits in one, which will sound very appealing to any of your serial outfit changers out there. So here are some tips to strike the perfect balance and create a cohesive layered outfit every time.

Try A Neutral Base

This will differ for everyone but when layering outfits my base typically consists of a pair of denim and some type of fitted knit top. I try to stick with a more form-fitting top so as not to feel too weighed down with heavier knits and outerwear on top. And If you watch my recent styling videos you’ll know I’m very into a monochrome base outfit at the moment. For this outfit I wanted to style my favorite Tribe Alive High Rise Pants (currently super discounted!) for fall and winter and I thought the wide leg pairs nicely with lace up boots. Another little styling trick for you: if you want to keep your outfit interesting when you’re all buttoned up, try a turtleneck or mock neck underneath so that it peaks out from under your outerwear.

Mix Warm & Cool Tones

Since the coat I’m wearing the most at the moment is a warm tone brown, I wanted to figure out how to pair it with my cooler-toned gray pieces. This Wool Shirt Jacket from Tradlands is a go-to because it’s super warm and adds a unique styling element to layered outfits. I think this color combination works pretty well, especially with the neutral base anchoring both the cool and warm tones. It might also help to pair similar shades of warm and cool tones together for a more cohesive look. This outfit overall is pretty light in shade and a darker grey might throw off that balance. What are your thoughts on pairing warm and cool tones?

The Finishing Touches

Two important aspects to a layered outfit: shoes and outerwear. This may be a very specific problem but I find that it can be tricky to style boots in a way that looks balanced in an outfit. I wear a size 9 and I find that more substantial shoes like boots can often look big and bulky compared to the rest of my outfit. For that reason, I like to style a boot with something larger on top like a long coat or wide leg pant to maintain that “balance” in an outfit. Speaking of outerwear, I’d like to make a case for the cocoon coat. Its looser, unstructured shape makes it ideal for layering, especially if you have a more structured piece underneath like a collared shirt. I love this Uniqlo coat that I’ve had for a while but really any unlined or looser style coat will work well. I’ve linked some similar styles below.