It’s that time of year again. The leaves are changing, the nights are cooler, and no matter what you wear you’re either too cold outside or too hot inside.
In the Midwest it can be hard to know how to dress appropriately for the weather. You wake up and it’s 40 degrees but by the afternoon, you’re sweating under the sweater and boots you threw on for class. In order to avoid being uncomfortable, Lawrence students perfect the art of layering. For those of you new to the Midwest, or for those who just want to brush up on your skills, here are some easy tips and tricks.
Easy Does It
First and foremost, you want to wear layers that are easily taken on and off. That sweater dress you wore this morning could require a quick change before your afternoon class. Instead, try something along the lines of a flannel shirt and a cardigan or one of your old summer dresses and a blazer. Things like sweatshirts, scarves, button ups, and blazers are easy to wear. They are also relatively compact to shove in your backpack instead of lugging a coat around.
Fabric
Make sure your layers are made of varying fabrics. For example, once it gets cold, but before it gets freezing, you might want to try a sweatshirt under a bomber jacket or a blazer over a cardigan. For those of you not from the Midwest, it might be smart to invest in a fall jacket that’s lighter than a winter jacket but warmer than a sweatshirt. Pea coats, or (p)leather jackets are perfect for our transitional fall weather.
Ironically, Less is More
Layering is an art of mixing and matching, but not all things mix or match. You don’t want to overwhelm onlookers with pattern overload, but you also don’t want to look like everything you’re wearing came from the same fabric roll. When working with patterns, try using similar color themes or pattern types. Floral skirts go well with a v-neck and a blazer or try leggings with a patterned scarf and a similarly colored flannel button up.
Textures
Finally, using different textures is also great way to spice up your look. Try knitwear with a shimmery or sequined tank and leggings or jeans. Not only will knitwear tone down the extra kick of the sparkles and sequins that have been ruling the runway, it will also allow you to take some of your summer wardrobe into the fall and winter seasons (not to mention save budget-conscious college students some much needed cash).