We all want to be that one person who is ultra fashionable and always sporting a unique look but also makes green fashion practices look super cool.
Well, turns out you can totally be that person (without knowing how to sew!), you’ve just got to know how to style, re-style and up-style.
Recycling your clothes all year around seems like the art of fash gods but trust me, its not that difficult. Just stick with me.
In my opinion, the most approachable and achievable technique to be a fashion baddie on a budget is LAYERING.
Layering helps you to put together the same clothes in a variety of permutation and combinations to achieve different looks. The best part- this technique works wonderfully in a capsule closet.
One of two rather simple rules of thumb of layering, or even styling in general is to pick an item which will be the star of the look and then put together pieces which will compliment it. Picking a footwear, headgear or jewellery as your statement piece is a little trickier to style as a beginner so you can always practice and then build your way up to it.
The second rule is – each layer should work on its own. In other words, each layer independently should make the outfit look complete in itself.
Now if you are total rookie in this technique, don’t worry – you’ve got me. Here is a layering checklist to put together layered outfits for any aesthetic.
Number 1 : COLORS
If you are confused on where to start when putting together a fit, try starting with colours. They are the easiest to spot as a statement character for your outfit. Then you can put together clothes with colours that are analogous (fall right beside each other on the color wheel) to your focus color or you could try complimentary color (fall opposite on the color wheel) variations. You can even go for color saturation (one color fit) or tints and shades of the color.
PRO TIP – Earlier, strictly referencing color wheel was considered as a rule of sorts when it came to clothing, to make the outfit aesthetically pleasing. But now with avant-garde and anti-fashion clothing influencing everyday attires, you could go wild and pair any possible colours together. However stick to a maximum of three to four colours in the outfit including the accessories and footwear. Too many colours could make the outfit look like it was just thrown together without any thought.
The key is to make the outfit unexpected but intentional.
Number 2 : PATTERNS
Another easy statement characteristics to layering are patterns.
They easily catch attention and give your outfit a little zhuzh.
Now you can be as bold or as minimal as you want with your patterns- you can pair them with different colours and other patterns.
DON’T BE AFRAID TO PAIR PATTERNS TOGETHER!
You can add a layer of solid color between your patterns to break them or you could put two patterns together as long as they don’t compete for attention. Just use design motives and colours to make them cohesive.
One of my personal favourite ways to wear patterns is having a neutral colored saturated outfit (all white, all off-white, all black, all beige etc.) paired with a bold pattern. Its very classy and the color combinations always turn out to be unique.
Another one of my favourite ways to wear two patterns together is wearing one as a cropped top and other as bottom, or one as clothing and other as a scarf.
Patterns can be intimidating, but they can really spice up your looks in big and small ways.
Number 3 : FIT AND CUTS
The next factor to consider is the fit and cut. You’ll find a bunch of rules online telling you to pair this fit with that and what not- its all crap. You decide the fit on the basis of your aesthetic. Do you want to go street or classy. Street style generally deals with all baggy looks, more formal looks accentuate the shoulders and waist, however now a days oversized cropped coats and trousers are really en vogue too. Fit is not a rule anymore- its a personal preference. Keep your mind open.
So my two cents are – be experimental just make sure the clothes are expressing the vibe you are going for. You can go all skin fitted, or all baggy, or mix them up – in today’s fashion culture –
‘you do you’ is the trend.
You can also pair different cuts- like layering a halter bra with asymmetrical necklines creating unique clothing silhouettes.
Another amazing look is wearing fishnet or colored mesh tops/stockings under clothes with cut outs – the peek-a-boo of texture and color takes your outfit up several notches.
Outfits which play with cuts look as if they took so much planning and effort – they are a real head turner.
Number 4: LENGTH
A very simple characteristic- just make sure your layers have a variety of lengths (dividing your body in 1/3, 1/2 and 2/3 ratios). Having different lengths will create interest in your outfit and prevent an impractical or bulky look. You want to strike a balance in your silhouette for both your own comfort and for the look.
So try pairing a short cardigan with a long coat, or a oversized open white shirt with a cropped puffer – the options are infinite.
Number 5 : TEXTURE
Last factor which makes your outfit pure perfection is texture. Try layering different fabrics and textures together – especially if you are going for a monochromatic look. It gives depth and dimension to your outfit and makes it interesting. Like layering fleece with cable knit sweater or satin. Texture doesn’t have much rules – though a healthy mix of thick and thin, gloss and matt always looks pleasing.
Texture is not a compulsion, it is an accessory which is a sure shot success in layering, but nowadays all satin looks are very popular too.
So use texture where you feel the need of subtle variation.
And that’s it!
Remember to learn these rules so you can break them in your own time!
Experiment and just have fun with it. End of the day, fashion in a form of self expression and its something truly and solely yours – so rock whatever you want, however you want!
Also go checkout @arcusjune on Instagram for fashion updates, tricks and tips.
Be sure to give my previous blog a read if you are interested in learning about the upcoming 2022 street trends.
Leave a Reply