10 Cold-Weather Layering Tips for Everyday Dressing

Products are independently selected by our editors. We may earn an affiliate commission from links.

When it comes to cold-weather dressing, one thing is for certain: you’re going to need to master the art of layering. For cloudy mornings when the sun simply won’t rise, late nights out when the wind is howling, and snowy drops during work weeks, layering clothes for winter requires some creativity and exploration. Luckily, the mavens of the street style scene have provided endless layered moments, from suede coats atop colorful knitwear to updated flannels layered beneath trench coats, to emulate this season.

Layering can be used as an aesthetic amplifier—wearing visibly contrasting hues, combining opposing textures, or blending varying hemlines and lengths. Or, come winter, it can be both functional and fashion-forward with thermal bases, like cashmere tee’s, thin turtlenecks, and long-sleeved jersey tops, or by sliding tights beneath your favorite pleated trousers or leather midiskirts. One showgoer captured during Paris fashion week styled modern suiting with an oversized houndstooth winter coat, proving that you can transition your favorite fall blazer. Prefer to wear head-to-toe essentials? A leather bomber jacket is a chic partner for a cashmere sweater and striped poplin shirt. For all your cold weather needs, look to the 10 winter layering tips taken from street style, ahead.

Vogue's Favorite Layering Pieces:

• The Suede Topper: Madewell The Kline blazer, $498
• The Punchy Knit: Lisa Yang Mable cashmere sweater, $470
• The Essential First Layer: Uniqlo Heattech t-shirt, $15
• The Striped Poplin: J.Crew Étienne oversized shirt, $98
• The Effortless Bomber: Acne Studios faux leather bomber jacket, $800
• The Must-Have Tank: Commando Whisper layering tank, $54
• The Lightweight Turtleneck: Frame rib turtleneck, $188
• The Chic Car Coat: Burberry long houndstooth car coat, $3,550

Tip #1: Add pop-of-color knits beneath suede

Utilitarian and whimsical, layering multi-colored knitwear in different contrasting shades (or in complementary pastels) is an easy yet elevated way to layer for winter, thanks to texture combinations when playing with the season's favorite fabric—suede.

Madewell

The Kline Blazer

$498

MADEWELL

Massimo Dutti

wide v-neck sweater

$160

MASSIMO DUTTI

Lisa Yang

Mable cashmere sweater

$470

NET-A-PORTER

Mango

straight checked pants

$80

MANGO

Tip #2: Layer your warmest sweater with your lightest jacket

When the temperature drops, your first instinct may be to stow away lightweight outerwear till spring. However, with the right layer of your thickest knit, you can keep that lighter jacket in rotation. Add another layer, like Uniqlo’s Heattech long-sleeve, below for extra warmth.

Zara

cropped boucle jacket

$60

ZARA

Cos

chunky pure cashmere sweater

$375

COS

Cortana

Fania linen and wool wide-leg pants

$700

NET-A-PORTER

Uniqlo

HEATTECH t-shirt

$15

UNIQLO

Tip #3: Transition a trench coat with a flannel and cashmere

The anchor of any transitional look is, and has always, been the trench coat. Adored for its versatility and lightweight coverage, Rohé’s trench is modernized with a twisted collar and deconstructed layers. Styling-wise, layer it atop a cashmere sweater, and then add a flannel shirt beneath that for a pop of color.

Róhe

double-collar trench coat

$1,260

BERGDORF GOODMAN

Loulou Studio

Baltra cashmere sweater

$400

BERGDORF GOODMAN

Zara

plaid shoulder pad shirt

$60

ZARA

Loewe

Flow retro runner sneakers

$790

BERGDORF GOODMAN

Tip #4: Play with patterns

Leopard, leopard, leopard—the fashion industry can’t get enough of bold animal prints, and for good reason. The wild print is both a neutral and a statement-maker at once. For winter layering, pair yours with an everyday blazer and let a striped tee add a contrasting mix.

Theory

leopard trench coat

$995

BERGDORF GOODMAN

The Frankie Shop

Bea crepe blazer

$345

NET-A-PORTER

Cos

clean cut long-sleeved t-shirt

$50

COS

Toteme

leopard pony hair ballet flats

$780

MODA OPERANDI

Tip #5: Pair a bomber with a draped top to be best dressed

Off-duty models had the right idea—a leather bomber jacket is the ultimate cold-weather staple, especially for city dwellers wanting to look cool yet put-together. Ideal for layering, this street style star proves that the artfully draped top is the perfect mate.

Acne Studios

faux leather bomber jacket

$800

SHOPBOP

A.W.A.K.E. Mode

draped organic cotton top

$290

MODA OPERANDI

Commando

Whisper layer tank

$54

BERGDORF GOODMAN

Co

pleated wool trousers

$795

BERGDORF GOODMAN

Tip #6: Embrace preppy combinations

Prep is back, baby! But this isn’t the polished prep of the past—sorry, Blair Waldorf! While an oversized grey coat is the star of this show, a chunky polo and men’s-inspired knitted shirt are the supporting actresses. For even more of a boyish finish, top the look off with a Gucci loafer.

Loulou Studio

Borneo double breast wool long coat

$745

LUISA VIA ROMA

Guest in Residence

v cashmere sweater

$395

SAKS FIFTH AVENUE

Wilfred

Clara merino wool sweater

$128

ARITZIA

Gucci

Horsebit 1953 loafers

$990

GUCCI

Tip #7: Double-up the denim

This utilitarian trend takes a more modern approach this season, with new hues and cuts taking the forefront. Layer up on your denim with an over shirt and blue jeans layer beneath an oversized fur coat, preferably one in the season’s beloved chocolate brown.

The Garment

Dixie faux-fur coat

$980

MODA OPERANDI

Madewell

denim button-up shirt

$92

MADEWELL

Frame

rib turtleneck in white

$188

FRAME

Khaite

Monroe loafer

$840

KHAITE

Tip #8: Don't forget about the cape

Barn jackets and shearling coats may still reign supreme, but there’s another outerwear option that bridges the gap between elegance and functionality. The cape is back and better than ever, thanks to luxe options from Cos. Keep your look monochrome by layering it over a slim-fit turtleneck and jersey tee.

Massimo Dutti

asymmetric cashmere cape

$250

MASSIMO DUTTI

Agolde

Pascale stretch turtleneck top

$150

NET-A-PORTER

Mango

round-neck long-sleeved top

$25

MANGO

Cos

pleated barrel-leg pants

$170

COS

Tip #9: Pile on the essentials

There’s never a wrong time to embrace the basics—but the essentials of now have surpassed blue jeans and white t-shirts. This vintage leather jacket is the perfect piece to top off a cashmere sweater and striped button-down pairing. Add a cuffed jean to stay current.

Worn Vintage

faded leather jacket

$680

MODA OPERANDI

Allude

wool and cashmere turtleneck sweater

$550

NET-A-PORTER

J.Crew

Étienne oversized shirt

$98

JCREW

Veronica Beard

Taylor cuffed wide-leg jean

$298

VERONICA BEARD

Tip #10: Place a statement coat over suiting

All work and no play makes fashion, well, dull! The suiting of now has moved beyond the office. Temper down a full set with a houndstooth coat. Make sure to let your striped shirt (tucked behind a blazer) poke out for some color.

Burberry

houndstooth car coat

$3,550

BURBERRY

Massimo Dutti

double-breasted wool blazer

$280

MASSIMO DUTTI

Massimo Dutti

straight-leg pleated wool trousers

$160

MASSIMO DUTTI

Dôen

Hava striped cotton-voile shirt

$250

NET-A-PORTER