Let’s admit it. Most women when dressing up for dates never want to layer up unless it’s super cold. They find their look too bulky and not stylish. However, there are ways to layer clothes and still look cute for your date or any other special occasion.
While there are many objectives to layering clothes, the main reasons we layer are to protect us in the cold, for style, or for general coverage.
In the cold winter months, layering is important to ensure you keep warm while in the warmer months, we mostly layer for coverage and modesty. Think kimonos and lighter jackets.
Whether you have a date night approaching or you’re getting ready for Valentine’s Day, we share stylish ideas to layer and still look cute, no matter the season-winter or summer. But first, a few tips to keep in mind when layering.
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Styling Tips to Remember when Layering for Dates & Special Occasions
If you totally get stuck in a rut finding date night outfit ideas that are actually warm or those that are modest for summer, you must always know that layering is an aspect you cannot ignore.
The key rules of layering are that:
- Thinner fabrics to be worn inside, and closer to your body while thicker fabrics to be farther out. For instance: tank top>oversized shirt> cropped sweater vest
- Do not wear more than 3 visible layers as they can create a bulky, overstuffed look. Also, make you overheat and feel uncomfortable.
- Wear lighter colors closer to your body, and darker colors farther from your body (outer layers)
- Each layer should work on its own. This means their color combinations need to fit well and go with the rest of your outfit.
No matter the date or special occasion, apply the above rules then use these dressing tips as well:
1. Fit is Key
Well-fitted clothes conform to your body’s shape, allow you space to breathe and move, and don’t add bulk to your frame. Choosing such items is key to looking good for a date.
Clothes that fit correctly also last longer because they don’t face certain wear and tear that occurs with improperly fitted clothes.
Coats that fit properly around the shoulders, inner layers that fit your frame, oversized sweaters that don’t require much folding and rolling to the right length, and blazers that skim your shoulders correctly are all subtle elements that are unremarkable when they are precise but very obvious when they are not and make the wearer look sloppy.
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2. Always Balance Your Silhouette
Learning how to balance your silhouette is important to look cute in layers. The goal is to trick the eye into thinking you have an hourglass shape.
If you have a larger top than the bottom, downplay the top half, making it look smaller, and then add a little bulk to the bottom half, making that look larger.
Do this by looking for bottoms with more layers to draw the eye downwards. Thus, long coats are your best friend.
If you’re an hourglass shape or pear shape, you can wear any layers. The key is to show off your curves.
Women with rectangular shapes need to show off their waists. High-rise fits and belts help define your midsection and accentuate your long legs. You’ll look stunning in structured and tailored pieces, but avoid those with boxy cuts.
Half tucks also help elongate your legs while showing off your waist.
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Also, if you decide to wear larger tops like oversized sweaters or shirts, you want to pair them with fitting bottoms to create balance.
However, if you have a larger top, avoid pairing voluminous tops with tight-fitting bottoms, which exaggerate the narrowness of your hips. Just stick to well-fitting tops.
3. Wear Monochromatic Looks
Monochromatic outfits suit everyone. They can mean outfits in an all-one color, varying shades of the same color, or even a combination of colors within the same family like black, white, and grey.
Whether you like your layers oversized or well-fitting, monochromatic looks are clean and look elegant.
They can keep a look pulled together even if the lengths are chopped, such as with culottes or layered sweaters because a single color unifies.
The key is to mix textures so the look is not boring and one-dimensional, and adds visual interest, depth, and dimension to your look.
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4. Or Color Block
Simply using “blocks of color” in your outfit to create a bold, eye-catching look can help a layered look more catchy for a date or any special occasion.
Choose a couple of your favorite colors to combine but a good place to start is to choose a saturated color and block it with a softer shade of the opposite color (instead of two bright rich opposites unless you’re replicating the 90s).
Go for bolder color choices for your outerwear and keep your other outfits minimal. This is a beautiful way to layer clothes and still look cute.
When wearing prints, color block using one color from your printed outfit. Here’s a complete guide to wearing prints to look put together.
Stylish Ideas To Layer Clothes And Still Look Cute
Whether in the face of harsh weather or not, we don’t want to sacrifice style—and that’s where cute layering comes into play. Below are some of my favorite ideas from fashion enthusiasts to layer clothes and still look cute:
1. Start with a Long or Oversized Blazer
Layering with long and oversized blazers (with proper shoulder fit) is perhaps the easiest way to make your outfit look way fancier than it actually is.
Wear it over your top, including bralettes, corset tops, crop tops, blouses, or t-shirts for an instantly elevated look. You can also drape your cutest blazer over your shoulders for instant cool points that still keep you warm.
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2. Show Up in a Blazer Dress
A blazer dress nails smart, sharp, and sexy all at the same time. This menswear classic with a flirtatious twist is exactly what you need to look cute on a date.
So incredibly chic, a blazer dress keeps you warm without having to wear another coat. You only need to keep your undergarments in check and warm enough.
3. Rock a Leather Jacket
Leather jackets are edgy and uber-cool. Start with a black leather jacket that is the perfect finishing touch to any outfit. Good thing, leather jackets aren’t too bulky so they look slick when worn.
Stylish and timeless, a faux leather jacket is an ethical and effortless way to tie together a casual outfit, up the ante on a night out, and add a fresh twist to a favorite getup.
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4. Or Try a Denim Jacket
The classic blue denim jacket has long been a wardrobe staple for women. With its casually stylish appeal, it is unbeatable for relaxing the most formal of outfits, making it a classic piece of fashion.
Whether you prefer a cropped version or a longer denim jacket, layer it over your dress, jumpsuit, skirt, or leather pants to create an outfit that’s edgy and cool but also date-ready!.
5. Wear a Long Coat
As the weather gets colder, it can be tempting to throw style out the window and simply grab the warmest coat in your wardrobe for a date.
This time, switch things up by grabbing the one that’s comfortable, warm, and fashionable like a cute Chesterfield coat, trench coat, wrap and belted coat, or cape coat.
Just ensure your coat skims your shoulders perfectly so it doesn’t look bulky. You can now layer it over your date outfit.
By investing in a cute on-trend coat, keeping fashionable and warm all winter will be a breeze. Just remember, this coat will cover the majority of your look.
So if you choose a basic color, like black, add interesting accessories and style details to take your look from bland to bang-on. Otherwise, lighter colors like white and camel should do.
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Long coats are a great way to also add modesty to the sexiest of looks. If you love showing off your skin a little, the coverage and comfort you can get from a long coat are greatly appreciated.
So, rock your shorts, minis, and bralettes effortlessly!
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Styling Tip…
If you’re worried about looking too bulky under all of your layers, throw on a belt over your coat to define your waist.
6. Or Try a Fur Coat
The fur coat makes it easy to layer clothes and still look cute. They are super trendy and the easiest way to dress up winter layers.
You can simply wear it with jeans or a denim skirt for a perfect glammy casual look or layer it over a cute cocktail dress to rock your parties.
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7. Layer with Cardigans
Nothing beats a classic cardigan when it comes to cold weather outfits! Cardigans are the perfect balance of chic and cozy and will keep you warm enough without you having to layer on with so many pieces.
While they come in different lengths and thicknesses, there’s always something that can be worn during the cold months – and yes, even during the spring and summer season!
8. Rock a Net Sweater in the Summer
To make your summer outfit more sophisticated, layer your denim short outfit with a new sweater. This look is also more modest and you can enjoy beach walks in it.
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9. Layer with Oversized Hoodies
Hoodies go with anything and everything; you need to know how to style them properly. If yours is oversized, layer underneath by wearing a cute top.
You will be warm so add your favorite accessories and head outside!
10. Wear Sweater Dresses & Boots
Mastering the art of layering takes time and practice. But an easy way to look cute in layers is to wear a cute sweater dress and layer atop your favorite coat.
Now add long boots and you’ll look is done!
When styling a sweater dress with knee-high boots, look for a slick leather pair of structured knee boots to contrast your soft dress.
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11. Suit Up!
Wearing a suit under a coat is a great way to wear layers effortlessly. While this may be a go-to look for guys on a date, on a woman, it looks fresh.
And it looks especially fresh when the color is light. Pick a suit that suits your style then add your accessories of choice for a warm but polished look. Start with a stunning handbag, metallic jewelry, and cute stilettos.
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12. Layer with Scarves
There is no doubt that scarves are an accessory that every woman has in her closet. They keep us warm in the winter, add some pattern to our outfits in the spring, and keep us looking stylish in the fall.
If you aren’t ready to layer your look with coats and blazers especially when wearing dresses, then use a scarf to transform your look.
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13. Wear Stockings
Cold weather doesn’t mean you can’t wear your favorite shorts, minis, or shoes, it just means that you need to layer them with some stocking or tights. Get a beautiful pair of fishnet stockings to layer underneath. How cute!
Do you love layering too? Whether you’re going on a winter date or not, these ideas to layer clothes and still look cute should help!
Disclaimer: These stylish ideas are inspired by Mia Mia Mine, Lucy Grasso, Julia Korf, Victoria Fox, Rita Tesla, Chic Couture Online, Nika Marianaa, Chilla Macame, Charlie Kamale, Sasa by Lopez, Emmalyn Love, Soitalian.pl, Cocomoyo.pl, Amelie Cheval, Maja Ddk, Marii Pvzz, Luba, The Glamannequin, Katerina Themis, Prissy Savvy, Sarah Langa, Rachelward_e , Candytm.pl, Chicaca.pl, Arina Bernardini , Carol Curry, Dress in Heels, and Imhirisa.
