The art of layering
STYLE26 September 2023
Piece together the perfect cold weather lookbook with these fashion-insider tips and tricks, as shared by our personal shoppers. It’s never been easier to take your summer wardrobe into autumn…
Invest in the right layers

Blazers, bombers, and those borg-lined faithfuls; there are endless outerwear options to choose from. But purchasing the right pieces will save on new-season purchases (and valuable wardrobe space). “Blazers are perfect for trans-seasonal times. Choose a soft structure you can layer up with an oversized coat and statement scarf,” says La Roca Village's personal shopper, Jamal Sinno. As the temperatures drop, you’ll also need a handful of reliable, heavy-duty shapes. Puffers and aviators are easy throw-ons, while a classic maxi coat carries the sophistication needed for more formal occasions.

A tonal coat, the chameleon layer
Reiss Kaia Coat from Bicester Village

ORP

£385

Village

£258

Reiss

Kaia Coat
STYLE TIP

“Denim, cargo and oversized cropped jackets are all worthy investments,” adds Laura Stanley, personal shopper at Bicester Village. Endlessly versatile, this style from Reiss is perfect those early autumn days and the oversized fit allows for layering through colder months.

Smart investments

ORP

£245

Village

£171

Polo Ralph Lauren

Polo unconstructed chino sport coat
Ganni Leopard jacket from Bicester Village

ORP

£275

Village

£165

GANNI

Leopard jacket

ORP

£399

Village

£266

Maje

Faux fur and knit jacket

ORP

£429

Village

£229

BOSS

Double-breasted slim-fit jacket in stretch-wool flannel

ORP

£389

Village

£261

Sandro

Turtleneck sweater
STYLE TIP

“A super-fine turtleneck is one of the most versatile pieces in your closet, thanks to its easy ability to be worn on its own or under everything from crisp shirts to slinky dresses,” says Jamal.

Rotate summer staples

True investments stand the test of time – and as we journey into autumn, this means making use of all those pieces you’ve had on rotation this summer. Perfecting the art of layering extends the shelf life of your favourite dresses, skirts and shorts while embracing the changing climes. Tucking a jumper into a midi; donning a rollneck under your favourite dress; layering merino knits under a short suit – a few simple switches and you’ll be ready to tackle the new season.

Styles that transcend the seasons

Opposites attract, especially when layering. Wide blouses go with narrow trousers, a transparent tunic with opaque shirts , finer materials like silk and chiffon with coarser ones like knitwear, leather and faux fur.

DANICA ROTHEMUND

PERSONAL SHOPPER, INGOLSTADT VILLAGE

Follow a formula

From the last balmy days of summer to the crispest winter mornings, follow this formula to master season-to-season layering. First, consider a super-fine knit as your base - you’ll want something fitted as your canvas “otherwise your outfit will be too voluminous,” says Danica Rothemund, personal shopper at Ingolstadt Village. Then, add a functional jumper or cardigan (start with something lightweight and move towards chunkier knits in winter) before piling on an accent coat for depth and interest. “For the effect to really take hold, your layers should also differ significantly in length,” adds Danica.

Three steps to master layering
Axel Arigato Ombre hoodie from Bicester Village

ORP

£185

Village

£75

Axel Arigato

Ombre hoodie
STYLE TIP

Don’t think you have to stick to knits to curate a winning look. “Embrace sporty separates”, says Jamal. Take a hoodie base and layer with a tonal blazer and shearling jacket to redefine that smart-casual look.

Complete the look
Barbour Bretby gilet from Bicester Village

ORP

£109

Village

£98

Barbour

Bretby gilet
Tommy Hilfiger Bandana cardigan from Bicester Village

ORP

£150

Village

£105

Tommy Hilfiger

Bandana cardigan
Lacoste Cable v-neck sweater from Bicester Village

ORP

£200

Village

£140

Lacoste

Cable v-neck sweater
Kenzo Logo hoodie from Bicester Village

ORP

£550

Village

£275

Kenzo

Logo hoodie

Avoid layering thick materials as they can be unflattering on your silhouette. Cashmeres, airy wool, Alpaca and cotton are all beautifully lightweight materials that can be layered with ease.

JAMAL SINNO

PERSONAL SHOPPER, LA ROCA VILLAGE

ORP

£79

Village

£52

Maje

Wool-blend balaclava
STYLE TIP

New to the balaclava trend? Choose a tonal style to complement your favourite winter hat for a seamless additional underlayer. “Black and chocolate brown is a classic autumn look,” adds Laura.

Elevate with accessories

Come autumn, accessories take centre stage in our wardrobes. From scarves to hats, gloves to glasses, and even the trending balaclava, there are endless ways to add dimension to a look. A statement print or fabric over a pared-back outfit is a playful way to inject personality, while a head-to-toe tonal look boasts a timelessness you can return to year after year. Just like your clothing, remember to start light (caps and sweaters are this year’s trans-seasonal power duo) and add in thicker pieces as the colder days settle.

The season’s coolest accessories
Add depth with colour and print

As the leaves change hue, so too do our wardrobes. Dark berries and moody indigos are universally adopted and brighter shades are reserved for party season. Yet, vivid colour and print can still be embraced, if paired strategically. Pick a single colour (for prints, “use the same colours as in the patterns,” suggests Danica) and pile a few differing tones on top. Harmonising in this way creates a cohesive ensemble which not only looks tonally interesting but adds depth against any darker separates you might be wearing.

Stretch out those summer shades

Etro

Jacquard knit poncho
STYLE TIP

“Don’t be afraid to play with clashing prints” adds Laura. It’s easy to do with embroidered knitwear like this from Etro. It’ll work with those tonal base layers you’ve already invested in but creates a high-fashion look when worn over a brighter, patterned base.

A knitwear revival

ORP

£109

Village

£73

Sandro

Tank top with knitted sides and text print motif
AMI Paris ADC striped sweater from Bicester Village

ORP

£250

Village

£167

Ami Paris

ADC striped sweater
Ganni Chunky knitted vest from Bicester Village

ORP

£195

Village

£117

GANNI

Chunky knitted vest
Maje Fluffy diamond jacquard cardigan from Bicester Village

ORP

£429

Village

£286

Maje

Fluffy diamond jacquard cardigan

See something you like?

Shop the Village from home and enjoy our brilliant brands direct to your door.

Be bold, be bright be beautiful. Wear what makes you feel a million dollars and utilise your basics to build on that.

LAURA STANLEY

PERSONAL SHOPPER, BICESTER VILLAGE

Need a little extra style advice?

Get in touch with the Personal Shopping team via WhatsApp or WeChat to book your appointment. WeChat ID: BVPersonalShopper

ORP

£289

Village

£169

HUGO

Zip-up ankle boots in leather with logo trim
STYLE TIP

If you’re not into the socks and heels trend, make sure you choose a closed-toe style that’ll last into the winter months and can be worn with tights. A pair like this from HUGO are a perfect cold-weather fit.

Mark the occasion

Once the foundations of layering are mastered, moving from smart to casual dressing – and back – can be done seamlessly. “Trainers to heels are an easy way to smarten a look, especially on the warmer days” says Laura. But don’t be afraid to play around with accessories and outerwear too; something as simple as swapping a quilted tote and puffer for a sleek shoulder bag and wide-framed sunnies screams sophistication, while dressing down tailored separates with sneakers is always a winning formula.

Work-to-weekend appeal
A sartorial step change

Tommy Hilfiger Women & Kids

Women's Laurie boot
Tommy Womens Vedette flats from Bicester Village

ORP

£495

Village

£330

Tommy Hilfiger Women & Kids

Vedette flats
Polo Ralph Lauren Marcie boot from Bicester Village

ORP

£175

Village

£122

Polo Ralph Lauren

Marcie boot
Rupert Sanderson Sentry black calf boots from Bicester Village

ORP

£865

Village

£575

Rupert Sanderson

Sentry black calf boots
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