Winter Layering – Easy As 1-2-3

By Brian Maynor

 

As or temperatures fluctuate, sometime dramatically, it becomes all to clear that successfully dressing for winter is all about layering.

The goals of layering are two-fold:  you want to keep heat in while letting sweat evaporate. That may sound contradictory, but it is possible if you choose the right options.  Also the technique can look easy and sometimes haphazard, but there is a logical way to approach layering and three pretty set rules to managing it effectively.  Here are the fundamentals you need to know for winter layering:

1.   Base Layer.  This is the layer that you wear closest to your skin like long johns or tights. In order to make this layer effective there are a few qualities to look for when choosing them.  Frist look for moisture-wicking materials.  Wool is thought of as one of the best natural fibers that is both warm in the cold and cool in the heat and is odorless, but it doesn’t dry quickly and some people find it uncomfortable so close to their skin.  Synthetic materials like polyester are second best because they dry quickly and trap heat in all temperatures, but they can tend to hold odors.  A third option is a wool/polyester blend, which combines the best qualities of both materials.  No matter which option you choose the one constant for a base layer is to have it fit snuggly.  That means you want to feel it next to your skin.  If it’s loose the sweat will stay on your skin making you cold as it evaporates.  Hence the shivering.

2.   Insulation Layer.  Just like all insulation, this layer is meant to trap any body heat that escapes from the base layer.  Cashmere, wool and silk are great options when looking for sweaters.  Fleece is also a good choice if you want a thin outerwear layer.  If you want a triple threat and are venturing into the artic, think about wearing a silk shirt under a cashmere sweater under a fleece coat.  While these are great layers for trapping heat they are also porous to allow your drying sweat to escape.

3.   Shell Layer.  If you imagine a turtle’s shell then you’re on the right track.  This layer is all about protecting everything underneath it from the elements because we all know wet and warmth don’t mix.  So when you’re choosing your shell is there really a difference between ‘water-resistant’ and ‘waterproof’?  Yes, there is a big difference.  Water-resistant is often a treated fabric that causes the rain to bead up and roll off, but the seams are not protected meaning water can still seep through.  Waterproof means the entire garment, seams included, has been sealed with a coating so that no water will penetrate it.  Even though marketing tries to make them sound interchangeable there are some very clear differences.

It should go without saying that the more items you wear the bulkier you become so the overarching rule of layering is to keep the layers thin.  Fortunately that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice warmth.

 

Click here or on the images below to learn more about the outfit.

 

 

 

Click here or on the images below to learn more about the outfit.

 

 

 

I am always curious to hear from you and what you see in the workplace.  Send your questions, comments and pet peeves to [email protected].  Also find each of these storyboards at http://brianmaynor.polyvore.com with links to purchase each item.

About Brian Maynor

Brian Maynor has built a reputation as one of the leading style coaches in the Southeast and is quickly expanding his eponymous company, BRIAN MAYNOR and his FIND, FLATTER & FLAUNT line of image consulting services. A professional with a fresh, upbeat and down-to-earth personality and boundless creative energy, he works frequently with with local celebrities; Fortune 500 companies and nonprofit organizations; modeling agencies; fashion designers; production companies; record labels; media and individuals. A regular contributor to various fashion blogs and online communities, Brian Maynor is one of the most trusted and recognized style experts in the region, utilizing his education and training as a broadcast journalist to serve as a style lecturer, emcee, and commentator for over a decade. He has appeared at fashion shows, expos, and charity fundraisers, as well as events with big brands like Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, Chico’s and Macy’s. His approach is innovative, creative and fashion-forward, balancing fresh, modern styles with classic pieces to keep one’s look grounded. To learn more, visit http://www.brianmaynor.com.

 

 

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