One of the greatest joys of fall and winter has arrived: the chance to layer on deliciously cozy materials. But along with the comfort comes the chance to come off looking like a shapeless mess if you’re not careful. So follow these ground rules and you’ll be completely covered for late fall and winter — literally.
• Rely on long, elbow-length gloves if you’re going to do shorter sleeves on, say, an adorable hooded caplet or poncho. That way you’ve got warmth and sophistication rolled easily into one look.
• Reach for a turtleneck or collared shirt, but instead of one big thick one, mix it up with contrasting pieces — a thin, neutral-toned version such as cream, black or taupe — under an equally thick (and preferably fitted and streamlined) dark gray, black or navy cashmere V-neck or cardigan.
• If you just have to go for a bulkier, oversized sweater, pair it with sleek wool, cotton or leather leggings to balance out the larger size of the top. The next step? A pair of killer tall fall boots.
• Punctuate most any outfit by adding in a patterned scarf for a bonus of visual interest, and to keep your neck toasty. I always say the softer the better (especially since it’s right next to your face), but think about other unexpected textures, too — a loose-knit wool blend, classic silk-cashmere, fringed gauze or fur-trimmed choice brings a nice and unexpected detail to a look.
• Smartly chosen accessories help define any layers. A hat, for example, streamlines the overall effect of an outfit. Exquisite shoes or a drop-dead gorgeous bag also help frame all of your layers.
• Keep it tailored. Instead of a full fur coat, for example, opt for a fur-trimmed one, so you don’t wind up giving off an overall puffy vibe when you put it on over a sweater or two, plus a scarf.
• And ultimately the big rule with all of the above styling tricks is to always do a mirror check and reign in anything that looks sloppy. One flowing scarf or a pair of baggy pants paired with more fitted pieces is smart, but two or more very loose pieces starts to look messy. Use belts to add definition around the waist — particularly those that cinch mid-waist and keep everything neat.
