Hey, y’all! It’s jenni earle coming to you with some styling tips for the winter months. Winter, albeit cold and dark, offers up one of my favorite fashion challenges. LAYERING WITH STYLE!
When you gotta pile on the warmth, there is no reason to sacrifice your personal style. One way I approach this is by thinking outside the box when you are creating the layers. Tradition tells us that the smallest thinnest layer goes on first, next to our skin, maybe a turtleneck, then a bulky layer for warmth topped off with a coat. I’ve never been one to follow the rules, so let’s look at a few ways to turn tradition on its head.
Style 1: add a warm-weather piece
What if that first layer were a summer dress? Starting with something that you wear in warmer weather instantly puts you in a sunshine and adventure frame of mind. Do you have a favorite summer dress, something flirty and sheer-ish? Layer it under a big, warm sweater so when it peeks out the bottom of a bulky sweater, you create a little mystery and excitement. We are all aching for flowers and sun, bring it in a peak from an underlayer… and tie that pop of color at the hipline with one on your neckline or in your hair with a bandana. Here’s how I layer with style.
featuring Levi’s, denim tunic from target, sundress from urban outfitters and a big cozy sweater that my mama got me for christmas last year. Wearing my 'explore more' bandana.
Style 2: turtlenecks are cool
So... back to that turtleneck… there is NO reason whatsoever to hide it away OR reduce your bling/flare to keep your neck warm. (gah, I HATE when my neck is cold. It may be my most sensitive spot. So I sport a t-neck anytime I need to.)
It looks great popping out the top of a denim shirt, layered under a patterned dress or vest, as well as all on its own, piled with a bandana and several statement necklaces (yes, more than one)!! Channel your inner Iris Apfel! Here’s an inspirational outfit from my closet to get you started. Here's how I layer with style.
I paired my FAVORITE vintage Wranglers with an alternative apparel cowl turtleneck and ALL sorts of fun stuff; a giddyup bandana tied up “fancy”, vintage necklaces, and two carvings from Bonedust Oklahoma.
Style 3: the under-jacket
Another break in traditional cold-weather style could be to wear your jacket UNDER the warm sweater layer. Wearing a denim jacket or lined flannel under a sweater vest keeps the main line of your silhouette clean as well as buttoning up your coziness. Look for a plush woven sweater vest, reminiscent of something worn on the rugged Irish coast. I found this vest at a thrift store in Winston-Salem and love excuses to pull it out of the closet. Here's how I layer with style.
featuring thrifted high-waisted jeans, a denim tunic from target, a classic Gap jeans jacket, and a jenniearle bandana.
Style 4: denim denim denim
Ahhhh, folks, I saved the best for last, my all-time GO TO outfit. The Texas Tuxedo. When in doubt, wear ALL the denim. Not only is classic blue the Pantone color of the year, but I also receive more compliments in a Texas Tuxedo than any other outfit. I love my denim so much that when I’m decked out in head to toe blue jeans, I am puffed up and feeling good as hell.
This solution is also great for those trailblazers that struggle knowing if certain things go together. Denim goes with other denim, 100% of the time. Shirts, jackets, vests, jeans, shorts, pair with tights underneath for brrrrrr factor, you name it, it goes together. Here’s an outfit I love, topped off with a bandana of course. Because as we all know, denim and bandanas go together like peanut butter and jelly. Here's how I layer with style.
featuring denim from Levi’s, Madewell, J.Crew, our 'hell yeah' bandana and Auntie Oti
I hope this helps you stay warm and cozy while feeling like the million-dollar trailblazer you are!
Xo,
jenni