Weeks of sunshine and 14 degree weather beckoned springtime into our Vancouver hearts and minds. Today, snowflakes fall around the city and the heat must be turned up again. What to do? The other day I stepped out in a spring dress over leggings and realized how cold it was while the sun shined. Fortunately I also wore a belted cardigan over top and my winter jacket. Layering used to annoy me. I wanted a clearly defined season and a wardrobe to match. Living in Vancouver all these years, I had to adapt my preferences to reality.
In recent years, I’ve learned to have fun with layering. It’s actually a great way to wear more of your wardrobe more often. Why not pull out a summer item and have it peak out of a winter sweater? What about short pants over boots? It keeps your wardrobe versatile. Or for fun, wear a couple of seasons one over the other, so you can take off or put on to suit the changing weather patterns. It comforts me to wear a summer item underneath a thicker sweater as March arrives, reminding me that it won’t be too long before warmth arrives. It is also practical when I’m travelling to different buildings, homes, and classrooms, where I’m called to do my work. The other day I walked into a colleague’s office that was practically steaming! Rather than complain about a too-hot or too-cold space, I’ve learned to be ready for it.
Layering also encourages creativity, offering you an opportunity to mix and match and create something that expresses you, your mood, and your style. This ensures that you won’t end up as another fashion victim statistic. On the other hand, don’t see this idea as a license to throw on whatever whenever! There is an art to matching after all 🙂
Share your own favourite layering tips. I’d love to hear them.
