How To Build Layers Into Your Outfit
Understanding the art of layering is key to embracing the beauty of modern fashion.
Lounge invites you to express yourself through clothing and experiment with layers to build contemporary outfits that celebrate your style.
What Is Layering?
Layering brings depth and variety to any outfit, offering a chance to play with bold patterns and vibrant colours. The secret to successfully layering is choosing items that stand strong on their own and combining them for a distinctive look. By investing in versatile pieces that can be layered, you will extend the life of your wardrobe. Plus, it’s the perfect excuse to wear all your favourite pieces together at once.
The Foundations: Underwear
Your lingerie choices establish the foundation of your outfit, influencing how the layers above it fit and feel. For instance, knowing that a seamless thong works best under a bodycon dress, or that a push-up bra complements a low-cut top, can elevate your look and enhance your overall silhouette.
Part of this understanding involves investing in underwear that is made to last. When buying lingerie, it’s important to consider its cost per wear, as building an outfit often consists of reusing and mixing pieces. Additionally, knowing you can rely on high-quality underwear ensures a solid foundation for any outfit.
Read more here about how cost per wear should be calculated and considered when purchasing lingerie.
Bottoms
Once you're comfortable in your lingerie, the next step is selecting your bottoms. This is where you decide how you want your layers to fall. Depending on your style, you might go for tailored trousers, inviting a shirt tuck. Alternatively, you could choose a tights and skirt combination, highlighting the depth of your layers.
Lounge offers a diverse range of layering options to help you craft the perfect outfit. It's essential to select bottoms that either balance or contrast well with the rest of your look. For instance, if you’re going for a loose-fitting top and oversized blazer, pairing them with equally relaxed or oversized trousers, jeans, or joggers creates a cohesive and stylish ensemble.
Explore women’s clothing to discover stylish bottoms and more.
Tops
By now, you will have thought about how your lingerie and bottoms will complement the rest of your outfit - now it’s time to find the perfect top to sit above them. It’s essential to ensure that your top not only works harmoniously with the other pieces in your ensemble, but also has the ability to stand out and look stylish on its own.
Another important factor to consider is the fabrics of your top and how they interact with the other layers in your outfit. As the centerpiece of your ensemble, your top should complement the other pieces without causing any discomfort or disruption. If the fabric is too thick or bulky, it may not sit smoothly under your outer layers or bottoms, leading to bunching and an uneven fit. Choosing lighter or more flexible fabrics will ensure that everything layers seamlessly for a polished look.
For a refined top that will always work effortlessly with your layers, choose Soft Staples. This is a selection of fitted, pastel tops that emphasise your natural silhouette, enveloping your skin with buttery-soft fabrics. These pieces will become a go-to that you can rely on to sit comfortably, without the stress of layer-bunching.
There is a world of options beyond the classic fitted top: whether you choose an oversized graphic tee to style with baggy jeans and an oversized blazer, or a low-cut blouse tucked into high-waisted trousers and styled with a full-length trench coat.
Shop the full range of Lounge tops here.
Outerwear
Outerwear has become a staple in modern women’s fashion, offering much more than just warmth. Jackets, coats, blazers, and other pieces have evolved into key elements that can define an outfit. Their unique designs, patterns, and fabric blends add depth and sophistication, making them essential for completing a look with style and flair.
Seasonality often dictates the type of outer layers you need, with summer calling for lighter, more breathable jackets, while winter demands thicker, more insulated coats to keep you warm. However, beyond the functionality of the garment, understanding how they can be worn to interact with the outfit is key. For example, tying up the belt of a long trench coat might work best with a fitted white top underneath, showcasing a clean foundation layer at the neckline, yet keeping focus on the coat and leather boots styled alongside. However, a low-buttoned blazer offers sophistication and charm when paired with a colourful Balcony bra.
Shop the full collection of Lounge jackets and coats.
The Best Colours For Layering
The biggest mistake often made when building an outfit with multiple layers is choosing too many colours, which overwhelms the ensemble.
Instead, we recommend keeping a solid colour block throughout the outfit, encouraging the detail of the garments to be seen, not just their colour. This approach also makes it easier to highlight accessories like jewellery, watches, bags, hats, and more. This guideline is especially helpful when layering, as it encourages you to accessorise thoughtfully and ensures each layer gets its own moment to shine.
A perfect example of this is Lounge’s Oversized Blazer, Tailored Waistcoat, and Tailored Trousers. With a solid charcoal colour foundation, this outfit offers versatility, allowing you to style it for any occasion while layering to your preference.
