Art of Style

Lessons In Layering: This Season’s Must-Try Styling Tricks

From turtlenecks under shirts to skirts and dresses over pants – here’s the lowdown on how to layer like a fashion pro

Words Colleen RossFashion editor Millie Parry
Fashion

Fall signals a shift in our wardrobes, as well as the weather – one that calls for an extra layer or two. Done properly, wrapping up for cooler days can be a masterclass in multifunctional dressing, where layering separates can seamlessly take you from dawn to dusk, indoors to outdoors, and negate the need for bulky outerwear when you want to feel polished. So what do you need to curate your closet for the season ahead? Here’s how to master the art of layering now…

Layer your tops with two different sleeve lengths – and add polish with tailored pants

Long sleeves, short sleeves

If you’re not already layering your cotton basics, then consider this your cue to start, because the ultimate ’90s styling trick is back – and it’s never been cooler. The key to nailing the look is to ensure you opt for lightweight, close-fitting layers in two different sleeve lengths, such as Flore Flore’s ‘Max’ and ‘Jill Baby’ tees in organic cotton-jersey from our NET SUSTAIN edit. Since the combination feels quite casual, keep things polished by styling with tailored pants (we love Róhe’s tapered ‘Daria’ style) and a pair of black leather loafers or slingbacks.

  • FLORE FLORE
    Jill Baby organic cotton-jersey T-shirrt
    €95.00
    Select a Size
    x small - out of stock
    small
    medium - low stock
    large - out of stock
    x large - out of stock
  • FLORE FLORE
    Max organic cotton-jersey T-shirt
    €110.00
    Select a Size
    x small
    small
    medium
    large
    x large
  • SHAY
    Zar 18-karat gold diamond pinky ring
    €4,730.00
    Select a Size
    3 1/2
  • RÓHE
    Daria pleated virgin wool tapered pants
    €545.00
    Select a Size
    32 - out of stock
    34 - out of stock
    36
    38 - low stock
    40 - low stock
    42 - low stock
    44

Use your knit as an accessory

As we begin to navigate chilly morning commutes, it’s time to double down on the hard-working staples that will see us through shifting temperatures in style. This season, the easiest way to make core pieces such as tailoring feel fresh is by tying knitwear around your shoulders or waist instead of actually wearing it. We love Guest In Residence’s ‘Grizzly’ sweater draped over the top of Studio Nicholson’s ‘Campion’ blazer – the crinkled finish of the fabric creates a tactile contrast, while the multicolored stripes add a welcome pop of color. Complete your outfit with a trusty white tee and a pair of tailored pants for the office.

  • GUEST IN RESIDENCE
    Grizzly cropped striped brushed cashmere polo sweater
    €470.00
    Select a Size
    x small
    small
    medium
    large
    x large - low stock
  • STUDIO NICHOLSON
    Campion belted crinkled-shell trench coat
    €1,170.00
    Select a Size
    4 - out of stock
    6
    8
    10
    12 - low stock
    14 - out of stock
  • AGOLDE
    Long Line Adine organic cotton-jersey T-shirt
    €100.00
    Select a Size
    x small
    small
    medium
    large
    x large
  • NILI LOTAN
    Sloane croc-effect leather belt
    €440.00
    Select a Size
    65 - out of stock
    70 - out of stock
    75
    80 - low stock
    85 - low stock
    90 - low stock
    95
Use your knit as a versatile accessory – ready for when you need it – tied nonchalantly around the waist or your shoulders
Effortlessly chic checks are back at the top of the street-style agenda

Add a checked shirt

If you don’t already have a checked shirt in your wardrobe, consider this your cue to invest because it’s proving to be the ultimate layering piece this season. Matteau’s version is made from impossibly soft cotton-flannel with fuzzy blue and gray checks, and looks effortlessly chic worn as a middle layer between a tank or camisole, such as Dôen’s lace-trimmed style and Chloé's double-breasted coat. Wear all three on weekends with Citizens of Humanity’s ‘Nora’ jeans and Alaïa’s ‘Criss Cross’ ballet flats for the chicest take.

  • MATTEAU
    Checked cotton-flannel shirt
    €480.00
    Select a Size
    1 - low stock
    2 - out of stock
    3 - out of stock
    4
    5 - low stock
  • DÔEN
    Nalia lace-trimmed organic cotton T-shirt
    €210.00
    Select a Size
    x small
    small - out of stock
    medium - out of stock
    large
    x large
  • CHLOÉ
    Double-breasted wool coat
    €2,990.00
    Select a Size
    34 - out of stock
    36
    38
    40
    42
    44 - out of stock
  • BY PARIAH
    Stack set of three 14-karat gold, navy sapphire and diamond rings
    €7,650.00
    Select a Size
    52
    53 - low stock
    54
    55

Try skirts and dresses over pants

Speaking of fashion throwbacks, the Y2K trend for layering skirts and dresses over pants has suddenly become chic among tastemakers. The combination of the two paired with a top or jacket creates a beautiful tiered effect and allows you to play with color and texture in a fresh way. Make it work for work by slipping Deiji Studios’ ‘One Frill’ skirt over Isabel Marant’s straight-leg ‘Lydia’ pants, teaming them with Loulou de Saison’s ‘Miles’ polo sweater and Dries Van Noten’s embroidered cummerbund.

  • LOULOU DE SAISON
    Miles cashmere polo sweater
    €380.00
    Select a Size
    x small
    small
    medium
    large - low stock
    x large
  • DRIES VAN NOTEN
    Embellished cotton-twill belt
    €850.00
    Select a Size
    P/S
    S
    M
    L - low stock
  • NILI LOTAN
    Jennifer ribbed cotton-jersey tank
    €200.00
    Select a Size
    x small - out of stock
    small - low stock
    medium
    large - low stock
  • DEIJI STUDIOS
    One Frill organic cotton-poplin knee-length skirt
    €150.00
    Select a Size
    xx small - out of stock
    x small
    small
    medium - out of stock
    large - low stock
    x large - out of stock
Layering a skirt (or a dress) over pants allows you to personalize your look with color and texture
The ubiquitous turtleneck is every fashion insider’s most-loved layering piece

Wear a turtleneck under everything

With the ’90s wardrobes of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, Kate Moss and Cindy Crawford ever present on the vision boards of the style set, so too is the ultimate ’90s styling trick: layering a turtleneck under, well, anything really – but particularly crisp shirts and oversized tailoring. The trick to nailing this look is to invest in super-fine, quality fabrics that won’t look too bulky under shirting or blazers. Wear Loewe’s sleeveless version tucked into jeans or pants and build from there, adding Jamie Haller’s ‘The Essential’ shirt in blue cotton-poplin and Saint Laurent’s Prince of Wales checked wool blazer for a chic workweek look.

  • LOEWE
    Logo-embroidered ribbed-knit turtleneck top
    €920.00
    Select a Size
    x small - low stock
    small
    medium
    large
  • SAINT LAURENT
    Double-breasted Prince of Wales checked wool blazer
    €3,200.00
    Select a Size
    34 - low stock
    36 - low stock
    38 - low stock
    40 - low stock
    42 - out of stock
  • JAMIE HALLER
    The Essential drop-tail cotton-poplin shirt
    €595.00
    Select a Size
    x small
    small
    medium
    large - low stock
    x large - low stock
  • CHLOÉ
    Modern Talisman embellished leather belt
    €980.00
    Select a Size
    S - out of stock
    M - out of stock
    L - out of stock

RELATED READING

The people featured in this story are not associated with NET-A-PORTER and do not endorse it or the products shown