5 Smart Layering Tricks To Keep You Warm Without Needing Bulky Outerwear

"It's bloody freezing," is the phrase I've heard around eleven times today, from the postman to the person also browsing the panini selection at Pret. Clearly, the time has come for fashion to lean more towards functional. But, if you don't want to simply step into a duvet coat (although, I promise you won't regret doing so), there are a number of tricks to make your most beloved outfits even cosier. It's all down to the art of layering.

Now, I call layering an art because it's actually rather tricky to get it right. There's a fine line between chic and chaotic, after all. And expert layered looks always look considered rather than 'I chucked all of my warmest items on all at once'.

Take Anouk Yve's double jumper as a core example, or Lisa Ing's built-up blazer look as another—both below along with some more layered look inspiration that's just easy enough to recreate. I told you a puffer jacket wasn't the only answer.

Just add a jumper

One of the easiest ways to layer? Simply shrug a jumper over your shoulders. If it's chillier than expected, you have an extra layer to hand. Or if you're already cosy, consider it an extra element of interest to your look. Plus, it works with almost any outfit.

A workwear layered look

Layered looks can often feel, I hate to say it, scruffy. But Anouk Yve is here to prove it can be anything but, especially when you choose to layer just one item: knitwear. No matter if the office aircon is still on full blast or you just want to be cosy for the commute, an extra jumper is a chic solution. Just be sure to select two different necklines—a crew and a V-neck, for example—to show off the styling.

Making a blazer more cosy

It was only last week that I was trying to prove to you that blazer outfits needn't be boring, and Lisa Ing has just further proved my point. Although, granted, alone they aren't so warmest. So make it extra cosy, layer a coat on top and a vibrant knit underneath to make your outfit all the more striking.

Clashing colours and prints

Statement coats are one of the biggest trends of this Autumn/Winter season, spied across the catwalks of Balmain, Chloé, Erdem and many more. But, to make them even more striking, look to layering like Grece Ghanem who clashed a vibrant red knit and a particularly popular knitted triangle scarf with her zebra print find.

Add accessories

Layering isn't solely about coats and knits, and Vivian Hoorn proves accessories deserve a moment of our attention. Here, she wraps a Burberry scarf around one shoulder of a black leather trench coat—simple yet incredibly effective.