There is something lovely about the turn of the seasons. The colour change in the leaves, the crispness in the air and cooler nights mark the beginning of one of the most beautiful seasons – Autumn! We are also excited to start hauling out some of those favourite wardrobe pieces we haven’t seen in a few months, like those ankle boots, cosy knits and warm jackets. With the warm days but cooler mornings and evenings, we tend to start needing to layer our clothes more. Layering is not just a functional necessity; it is truly where fashion becomes fun. Layering can make a simple outfit dimensional, stylish, and unique.
We at Fineline Wardrobe Solutions are no fashion experts. We design the most functional and stylish wardrobes and storage solutions for your home, but we know how important it is to make your fashion wardrobe work for you and be as stylish as the wardrobe you store your clothes in. There are some people who just know how to pair textures, lengths and tones that make an outfit simply click. Without a doubt layering clothes is a real art. Today we enlist the help of a styling expert, Penny Marriott from Definitely Those, to help us with the basics and to give us tips on layering. Hopefully at the end of this you will see your wardrobe in a whole new light.
The 3-piece rule
Penny Marriott describes the transforming power of layering with the 3-piece rule. An outfit typically consists of two items, for example, a top and a pair of pants or skirt. But by adding a third element, you elevate the outfit and fine-tune it into something personal and styled. The third piece could be a belt, scarf, jewellery or even a waistcoat. This extra element helps to unify the outfit and adds a touch of flair.
Styling is unique to every person
Firstly, it is important to know that different styling techniques work for different people. Styling very much depends on your body shape and what attributes you are trying to enhance, or what features you are trying to diminish.
Layering is about creating illusions
Penny Marriott describes the art of layering as creating depth, proportion and dimension with clothing. A few thoughtful tweaks to an outfit can make a person look taller, shorter, narrower or wider. To achieve that elusive polished look with clothing, it is all about adding a well-considered item, which balances the whole look.
Layering has the power to create the illusion of a waistline, broader shoulders or longer legs.
By combining varying lengths, textures, patterns and colour, an outfit becomes dimensional. Penny adds that layering is not about adding layer upon layer to create interest, but rather, the goal is to build a balanced silhouette and a well-groomed appearance by putting pieces together mindfully.
The magic of lines
Horizontal lines
When we are trying to create illusions, lines are very helpful. As we know, horizontal lines draw the eye sideways and tend to enlarge the area. If you are aiming to broaden your shoulders or draw attention to the upper part of your body, Penny suggests you include horizontal lines in the cut of the top or neckline or add a waist belt which draws the eye to the waistline and away from the wider hip area. Striped prints do the same.
Other ways to create a horizontal effect can be by rolling sleeves up to the point that they are in line with the waistline, creating a continuous horizontal line. The same can be achieved with the hem of a jacket, drawing the eye sideways and placing emphasis on the area where the hemline end
Vertical lines
Vertical lines create a narrowing effect and guide the eye vertically. These lines are useful when one is trying to break up an expanse and narrow one particular area. Wearing a jacket with long lapels or an open cardigan can achieve this effect. Sleeveless items, such as waistcoats, sleeveless pullovers, or jackets, emphasise the torso and contribute to a column effect.
Diagonal lines
Diagonal lines can be added with prints, textures, or a design that uses diagonal ruching or gathering to create the illusion of curves.
The golden rule of layering
No matter what your body shape or what illusions you want to create, Penny emphasises that the golden rule when it comes to layering is never have 2 items of clothing end on the same line. For example, a top should be shorter or longer than a jacket. Alternatively, a long dress can be complemented by a short jacket.
You also never want your body split 50/50. Think of your body in thirds, and make the lines of your outfit work with that.
Putting things into practice
Let’s use some of the rules and illusion techniques we’ve discussed with items you may already own.
Mixing textures
What we love about the cooler seasons is the array of different textures in our clothes. From beautiful knits to silk scarves to leather jackets. Like in interior design, mixing different textures instantly creates interest and depth and keeps your eye moving. Think of wearing a leather jacket over a cashmere top, but remember the golden rule! Make sure the hemlines don’t end on the same line!
Mixing textures is a wonderful trick when going for a monochrome outfit. Different textures from one colour family make an outfit look stylish.
Cropped tops over longer sleeves
Naturally we tend to wear a longer-sleeved layer over shorter-sleeved ones. However, by reversing this concept, you can create a thoughtfully styled look that combines contrast, interest, and movement.
Play with open layers
When layering with jackets and cardigans, leave the outer layers open to let the outfit underneath shine. A blazer left unbuttoned over a graphic tee will give your outfit more of a relaxed and intentional vibe
The power of a humble sweater
A sweater or pullover is an underrated piece that can keep you warm and enhance your outfit. It is also a wonderful way to allow you to keep wearing some of your summer outfits into the cooler months.
Pullovers or fitted sweaters work beautifully over summer dresses and skirts. Paired with a pair of sneakers or boots, your autumn/winter wardrobe suddenly has enlarged with so many more options.
Adding a visible collared shirt under a sweater instantly creates structure and a layered look. The contrast between colour and texture also adds depth and interest.
Adding dimension with scarves and wraps
On colder days, layering scarves and wraps are a favourite finishing touch and one of the easiest ways to add a pop of colour or texture to a neutral outfit. There are so many ways you can use or tie a scarf to create different looks. YouTube is full of scarf tutorials.
Another tip is to match the tones of your scarf with something in your outfit, it can even be your boots or bag, to tie everything together naturally.
A final thought on layering
Layering isn’t just about staying warm; it’s about expressing creativity with clothes you already own.
So be brave, mix those textures, contrast those lengths; and layer your clothes confidently but mindfully. Once you start seeing your wardrobe as a mix-and-match playgroup, every outfit becomes an opportunity to become a polished piece.
If you are looking for more creative ideas on styling and tips on how to style according to your body shape, follow Penny Marriott on her Instagram page – Definitely Those.
An elevated storage solution for your wardrobe
There is something so rewarding about a fashion wardrobe that works and mixes well. It not only makes you feel good but also makes your life so much easier.
The same goes for your storage wardrobe. Having a well-designed wardrobe that maximises space and gives you a perfect mix of hanging space, shelves and drawers keeps your clothes well organised, and you always know where things are, making getting dressed a breeze.
Fineline Wardrobe Solutions are the experts at designing beautiful and functional wardrobes. Every Fineline job is custom-made and designed to fit the space and the clients’ needs. A Fineline salesman will be able to look at the contents of a client’s wardrobe and design a storage solution with the perfect amount of storage space.
Like with layering your clothes, we at Fineline like to mix and match different storage options to ensure there is the perfect space for each item. Other than the usual mix of hanging spaces, shelves, and drawers, here are some other extras we like to design into our storage spaces.
Three-quarter and long-hanging spaces
A double hanging rail is often a given in any wardrobe. This area is great for all those tops and blouses, shorter jackets and folded pants over hangers. However, three-quarter and long-hanging spaces are so handy for those three-quarter-long coats and longer dresses and skirts. This prevents your coats and dresses from draping on the floor and getting dirty.
Pigeon holes
Pigeon holes are stacked cubes that are the perfect size for storing almost anything! Pigeon holes are ideal for storing a variety of items, including handbags, folded scarves, wraps, T-shirts, and sweaters. They are also excellent for housing ankle-height boots. These neat little compartments make sure piles don’t get jumbled up as they could on larger shelves.
The perfect shoe storage
A shoe collection can be the trickiest item to store properly in your wardrobe, and it often becomes a jumbled mess on the floor of your cupboard.
At Fineline, we pride ourselves in our beautiful yet functional shoe storage solutions. If you have the space, these slanted shoe shelves display your shoe collection beautifully. Perfectly spaced to ensure maximum storage, with these shelves you will be able to see every shoe in your collection and keep them in the best condition possible.
If space is more of an issue, these pull-out shoe drawers are so functional, as they feature a centre crossbar, which means 2 pairs of shoes can be stored on top of each other neatly without damaging the shoes.
Accessory drawers
As we have established, accessories such as scarves, jewellery and belts are an essential part of layering your clothes and turning your outfit into an elevated piece.
Accessories are small, so they can be difficult to keep organised. We at Fineline can incorporate these wonderful accessory drawers either into your wardrobe or dressing table, making mixing and matching with your outfit easy.
Complete the look of your wardrobe with elegant sliding doors
As with layering, you need that one piece that will just elevate your style. The same goes for your storage wardrobe. Fineline wardrobe’s internals are beautiful and functional; however, if you finish off your wardrobe with a set of our sliding wardrobe doors, your bedroom storage is elevated to the next level of style.
Fineline’s sliding wardrobe doors can be finished in a range of different materials, from mirror, decor glass, solid colour or wood grain melamine, or even a combination of materials. In this way your sliding wardrobe doors can match your interior style and become a design feature in itself.
A wardrobe that works for you
If you are looking for a storage wardrobe that you will love as much as your clothes with attention to details and clever storage solutions, give us at Fineline Wardrobe Solutions a call today. A Fineline sales consultant can design the perfect mix-and-match storage arrangement to suit your needs.
If you are looking for more wonderful ideas and handy tips, visit our trendy blog.
