Secretly Fancy

The art of layering – My 5 tips

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Fall is in full swing and that means many things, none of which are earth shattering.  The biggest impact fall has on my life is the general joy I feel and the need to layer my wardrobe.  Its official, Fall is the season for layering, and this is good news for your personal style.   Layering your outfit can create much more visual interest than the flimsy dress of summers past.  

Before you get carried away, you need to know a few tips.  Simply purchasing the “right” clothes isn’t enough these days.  Styling is key. These tips will help you layer without looking like a homeless person.  These tips will also help you look less bulky and more chic(y).

Back to basics.  Your first layer should be simple, comfortable and not bulky.  This is the time to wear your favorite T-shirt or turtleneck (Which I’m really into these days) over and over and over.  Start with a neutral or a stripe to begin your ensemble.

Don’t be afraid to mix patterns and textures.   What is the point of layering if your layers don’t stand out.  Take some risks mixing patterns and always remember to marry different textures together for an advanced chic look.  Example: large chunky knit with a pleated skirt and a simple wool overcoat. Mic drop.

1 jacket, 2 jacket, 3 jacket score!  I like to wear a minimum of 2 jackets when the temperatures drop.  My trustee leather jacket looks super chic under an oversized overcoat.  They key to this tip is remembering that length matters.  Never wear two cropped coats or two duster coats.  Mix up the lengths and watch your friends bow down in amazement.

Chunky sweaters are your friends.  Who doesn’t love a good oversized chunky knit?  This OG of fall fashion can be worn in a multiple of ways.  Here is a foolproof formula: Chunky knit, statement overcoat and skinny jean or leather legging.   

Different colors same palette.  This one is simple.   Pick color that speaks to you and layer on different shades of the same color family.  If you are trying this out for the first time, try the blue family.  Think, Navy turtle neck, open button down chambray shirt, statement blue overcoat and denim.  

I can’t wait to style a few clients for Fall.  The possibilities are endless.  As always, enjoy my shopping section.  Any questions about layering.  Ask away.

 

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Aimee Song. Photo by Ryan Chua

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Vogue.com

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Vogue.com

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Collagevintage.com

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Collagevintage.com

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Olivia Palermo on Habitually Chic

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Habitually Chic

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Rebecca Taylor Fall 2014 rtw

coats, jackets and blazers … oh my!

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for whatever reason, or one i will try to explain, coats have
always been my thing.  as i have mentioned before, for some it’s shoes,
for the unlucky it’s bags but pour moi it’s coats.  on a recent trip to
nyc i was trying to put my arms around why i am eternally drawn to getting my
next coat.  while i didnt come up with anything prolific, i still thought
i would share, because thats what a blog is for… sharing. seemingly obvious
is the power of clothes to transform your look.  less obvious and more
heady, is the power of clothes to transform your energy.  writing about
energy while on a train back from nyc feels so lame.  if i were on a plane
coming back from la it would most likely feel totally normal, but i digress.
 the thing is, when i meet a person, of course i notice there hair, their
eyes, if they are short or tall, lean or robust however, the one variable that
matters most to me is their energy.  i can tell everything i need to know
about a person by their energy.
so
how does this energy bullshit have anything to do with outerwear you ask? for me,
a coat is equal parts magic cloak and mirror. there are many times that i
put on a coat that shifts my energy wherever i want it to go.  the choice
of selecting a coat is made fairly quickly and many times i feel its an
intuitive and subconscious action that can be very telling.   when i want
to disappear, its likely that i will reach for a black blazer and its equally
likely i will disappear. say i’m feeling cool, black leather is my jam.  i
want to be expressive and am feeling open to the world around me, i have a neon
green boucle cropped number.  you get the point.  When dressing, your
outerwear is your last layer. your last piece to the puzzle and your last
chance to show the world what your experiencing at that moment.  i believe
this is based on your energy and i believe that is why i am obsessed with
coats.
images: pinterest

coated

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images: Glamour

for some people its shoes, for some its bags, for some its jeans… every style maven has their own… vice.  it’s that one category that you can’t seem to get enough of: that one facet of your wardrobe that you feed like a bottomless pit or drink like bottomless mimosas at your too-expensive/liquid brunch. for me; “it” is the coat. perhaps my obsession and fascination stems from my love of the fall/winter seasons, or my secret interest in making the perfect entrance… whatever the cause, the effect it turns out equals lot’s and lot’s of coats.  whether it’s a chic and secretly fancy trench, a sporty motorcycle jacket or that bombshell cherry red montcler puff, these outer layer pieces put the exclamation mark on every outfit. i just love how this editorial from glamour magazine shows the transformative power the right coat can have on any look. so… what is your vice?