H&M trench (similar)
Helmut Lang blazer
Le Chateau top (c/o) (similar)
Grlfrnd jeans (c/o REVOLVE)
Christian Louboutin heels
Chanel handbag
RayBan sunglasses
Celine necklace (similar)
Madewell rings
Mango earrings
Location: Manitoba Legislative Building – Winnipeg, Manitoba
When I bought my first leather jacket in Rome years ago, I asked the shopkeeper if the leather was weatherproofed. He looked at me like I’d gone mad. “But… what should I do when it rains?” I wanted to know, realising that the rainy weather back home would inevitably ruin the leather jacket I’d just finished paying for.
“Put your trench coat over it,” he told me, like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
When you grow up in Winnipeg, mastery of dressing in layers is essential. Sweaters over henleys over tank tops. Jeans over tights and socks. I was convinced there was no combination of sartorial layers I hadn’t experimented with. And then the Roman shopkeeper told me to put a trench over my leather jacket.
I didn’t own a trench back then. It was 2012, we’d just moved to Paris and the bargain-priced leather jacket was already beyond my limited budget. But I’ve never forgotten that piece of sartorial advise, either. While I admit that putting a trench over a leather jacket feels a bit bulky to me – especially since I live in North America, where all leather is treated, for obvious reasons – but this fall, when it was still briefly still warm enough to leave home without a wool coat, I got to thinking…
Dressing in layers can be frustrating when the weather makes it necessary. But when you don’t have to do it, it can actually be a lot of fun, because the possibilities are nearly endless. I don’t like the idea of a leather jacket under my trench coat. But I own a couple of thin blazers that I wear regularly. I wasn’t ready to give them up at the beginning of October, and layers were the solution. With a trench over top, my beloved blazers remained warm enough to wear for another few weeks. It wasn’t exactly a miracle, of course. But it got me some extra time with clothes I love, and in a city that demands sweaters and wool socks most of the year, that is no small thing.
What is your favourite way to wear layers?
I like this look. It’s chic. My favourite way to layer is plaid shirts under my leather jacket:)
Oh I love this story. What sensible advice!
Looks so chic layered with a blazer, especially paired with your Louboutins & Chanel
Lyndi
http://www.stylecalling.com
I am actually a big fan of layering blazers under longer, more fall jackets – much as you’ve done here, but I never look quite so elegant when I do it.
Courtney ~ Sartorial Sidelines
These are such lovely and striking layers + what a good idea too!! 😉 Wise words, wise words!! And I must say, I love when I come up with unexpected layers in my own closet – it’s always such a fun surprise and has a level of triumph to it. I’ll have to try this pairing for my own wardrobe… our weather is still pretty mild here most days and I’d love to see if I can pull it off!! xo
http://www.veronikanovotny.com (life + style blog)
I would never think to layer a trench coat over a leather jacket, I’d imagine it too bulky. Generally I avoid layering whenever possible. Layers = fussiness to me. If I’m tugging, or rearranging, I’m never happy. There is this artfulness to it, which either I can’t seem to master, or just refuses to work with my curves. There was a time when I was so committed to layering button downs under my sweaters, but nothing ever really fit over my hips and they would just bunch at my waist. I’d spend all day tugging them down only for them to revert the second I moved.
So now, it’s simple. Tee and cardigan, cami and blazer, two layers max.