College Couture: Play with the layer

Layering clothing may not seem to be anything that requires advice or guidance – after all, the majority of us were guilty of pairing an Abercrombie and Fitch polo with a longer tank and calling it a fashion statement, something we still cringe at eight years later. However, there is a technique, which  comes from either natural-born style only a few truly possess or from trial and error (Abercrombie wasn’t a totally fruitless failure).

As the layering style has become a necessity over the past few seasons, it can be useful to know what works and what doesn’t, if only to avoid looking back on our twenties in the same way we do our early teens.

One article of clothing that is absolutely necessary is a blazer: black or navy both work. Blazers came strongly into the fashion scene last fall and became an element for casual and dressy ensembles alike. The jacket, once purely a part of business attire, can now be thrown over casual T-shirts and jeans to dress up a typically dull combination. Pairing it with simple pumps also complements it well overall.
It can also be worn to dress down a cocktail dress. Short dresses are the easiest for this look. Rolling the sleeves of the blazer to just around the elbow gives the illusion of nonchalance without detracting from the elegance.

Layering different textures and colors of shirts can add complexity if done correctly. It’s generally better to mix the colors. Using all one color but only different shades is reminiscent of those days when Abercrombie dictated style. Mix and match colors that wouldn’t typically go together. It really does work. Different fabrics of spaghetti straps may be worn on top of one another with brighter fabrics showing through the lighter ones. This can also be done with sheer dresses.

Free People currently sells a line of sheer, lightly sequined slip dresses in countless colors, which dress up jeans and boots or may be worn overtop darker slips to make a simple cocktail dress. A few other brands sell similar styles with an even wider variety of colors and textures.

Don’t discredit scarves just because the weather is getting warmer; wool is not the only option. There are virtually endless options of light silk and chiffon scarves in every length and color that will add color and texture without overheating. Also, most rules go out the window when it comes to pairing scarves with necklaces. The very nature of layering is chaos, so more is more in this case – just don’t get too carried away.

This last one is a bit divisive; the style is either loved or hated. Legwarmers and knee socks have made a resurgence in the past few seasons. Worn over tights or under boots or both can be a valid attempt to subtly add a finishing touch to an ensemble. However, wearing these alone barelegged is definitely not to be done.

The options for patterns and colors have also expanded here. Argyle is not the only choice (although it is also uncharacteristically quite stylish at the moment). Being bold is again essential here. Black socks on black tights look like an attempt to stay warm, while fuscia is unmistakably deliberate.

When it comes down to it, there are really very few rules. As long as all of these styles are  not worn simultaneously (and polos and tanks of slightly varying shades are avoided at all costs) it is pretty simple to expand your wardrobe without venturing out of your closet.