October 29, 2013
Here are a couple of examples of how my Triple Top Secret selection of tops can work for a really casual trip (or just a day to day wardrobe). First, I started with a cool flowered shirt, got really gutsy and tossed in a striped tee shirt, and worked from there. Yes, I would wear the stripes and the flowers together…
Red sweatshirt – Aerie, navy sweater – Uniqlo, floral shirt – Uniqlo, striped tee shirt – Alexander Wang, white henley tee – Uniqlo
I realized after working with this idea for a while that there are, in fact, two “triples” inherent in this idea:
Yes, the button-front shirt is critical! A shirt that can both be worn as a jacket or 2nd layer, but also layered under a sweater or sweatshirt, is key.
Here’s an example of how this can work with some bright, warm colors, to get you through the icky weather ahead:
orange fleece – L.L.Bean, plaid shirt -Uniqlo, cream tee shirt – L.L.Bean, yellow sweater – Uniqlo, brown tee shirt – L.L.Bean
If you find that you’ve developed a passion for a printed or plaid shirt, this is a great way to make sure that you wear it frequently…
love,
Janice
This is so awesome and just goes to show how much mileage you can get from five pieces that coordinate and you love! You rock!
I generally travel with 7-8 articles of clothing, not including a coat/raincoat/jacket. I've been layering for years to increase the versatility of the clothes I've brought along on my trip. My travel wardrobe consists of two pants (I substitute a skirt for one pair of pants if I'll be going to the theater or opera in a major city), a cardigan sweater, 4-5 tops (these vary by season/destination, and one is generally "dressier" than the others), undies, robe, pj's, and a base layer top and tights if I'm traveling in the winter. Scarfs, hat, gloves, jewelry, socks, cheap flip flops, small cross-body purse,a bathing suit (season/destination dependent) and two pair of shoes round out the stuff I take in one small carry-on.I usually wash my clothes as I travel. For my last trip, all I took on the plane was my carry-on (weighed 11 lbs.) and a small tote (with my cross-body bag, jacket, and book inside). The tote doubles as a beach bag.
Wow, you have nailed it!
I stumbled on this on a car trip through Quebec into Maine during July. The weather changed considerably and moisture in the air added another bone chilling element. Out of desperation to stay warm, I piled on everything in my luggage and ended up with two more layers on top of the tshirt/button shirt/sweatshirt. A denim jacket on top of the three and then a windbreaker over that. Added a scarf around the neck and I was really comfortable. There were FIVE layers of clothes on one day.
The key for me was they were all fitted and not thick – bulky fabrics. I'm not sure if it would have worked so well if they were heavier garments.
Layering clothing pieces is very common and practical to stay warm and comfortable, especially where the weather is fluctuating or cold. I love wearing layers. It's fun and creative. My favourite combo is a tank tee and a long sleeve tee with either a sweater or a cardigan.
We are all about layering in Texas so these posts are extremely helpful. During winter, we will begin the day freezing and end the day sweating! Hope you are well Janice!
Hmm… good points there. I tend to 'triple layer' for autumn with something like a t shirt or long sleeved top, a cardigan then a light jacket (like cropped leather) over the top. Plus a scarf for if it gets chillier and I'm set to cope with a variety of temperatures.
Love the triple layers. Just curious – do you show a short sleeve tee rather than sleeveless because you also wear the tee in the summer or because it provides more underarm area protection for the outer layers? I avoid short sleeves, they are very unflattering on me, so I use a tank tee under long sleeve tee but might want to rethink that if I'm going to add layers.
Thanks.
And completely off topic – would love to see a post about tights which I think I remember you mentioning a while ago.
I was just thinking this morning as I was looking at my closet that it you replaced a tshirt with a knit shell, you could use that shell on top of the button-down as a vest, or underneath as a standard layer and have one or two more looks.
I'm an old hand at layering, and totally get what you're getting at here. But I'm struck by your recommendation of a buttoned tailored shirt as middle layer. That's the missing ingredient in many of my combos! Thanks :-).
I get cold easily so I'm all about layering! I start with an 'invisible' layer – a tank or cami. I have found that inexpensive tanks generally cost less than camisoles and can also be used as my work-out too. I sometimes wear a tank in a contrasting color and let it peak out from the bottom of the first layer – it adds a pop of color. Love all your work Janice!
I’m all about layering, but if I try to look neatly put together, it somehow just looks “wrong”. It’s either odd or differing necklines, or weird hem or sleeve lengths. There’s either too much or not enough of a lower layer showing, which looks strange to me.
It could be to do with my petite size. I find adult sizes are long enough in the body for me to tuck in (must be tucked in to keep in the warmth!), but the sleeves are too long. If I try a kids’ size, the sleeve length is fine but the body is too short to tuck in!
For instance, today I’ve got a long-sleeved Gap extra-fine merino t-shirt as a base (great items, can wear them for days on end, they wash well on a 30-degree, 30-minute cycle and they’re long in the body, but sadly also the sleeve), with a white cotton shirt over it, and a black Gap merino (heavier weight) v-neck sweater on top of the shirt.
Both the shirt and sweater are long in the body, down to the widest part of my hips, and the shirt sleeves I have to turn up the cuffs, so I feel like I have manacles on my wrists. If I leave the shirt untucked, only a couple of inches stick out below the hem of the sweater, and because the sweater hem is ribbed, it kind of pulls the hem of the shirt into a frill, which looks ridiculous when every other part of my outfit is streamlined and minimalist…
Not sure if I’m being overly picky and should just go with it, or if I seriously need to look for petite sizing and clothes that actually fit – I’m 4’11”.