The Summer Layering Guide
Menswear Layering
The summer is slowly approaching, but it won’t be long before the heatwave headlines are stealing the front pages of tabloids across the country.
Disappointingly these headlines hardly ever come true and what we are likely to see is a relatively unpredictable summer.
It is safe to say that it’s unlikely you will be able to lounge by a pool in just a pair of swim shorts. It’s more likely that you’ll wish you had prepared for days when the sun is tucked away behind the clouds having a day off.
Why Men Should Layer their Outfits
We all know that as the summer kicks in, the social events follow – BBQs, summer evenings in a beer garden, attending a festival or mooching into the city. With this comes the need for a number of varied outfits.
Planning what you are going to wear during this time of year can be difficult and to help you out we have out together some ideas to help you layer outfits throughout the summer months.
Why you should layer your outfits?
Most of us are firm believers that layering should be resigned for the winter. Think again.
Layering your clothes can have many benefits – the most obvious answer is that it will provide you with warmth when the temperature drops unexpectedly. However, layering clothes can also give your outfit a whole new look.
The contrasting fabrics, lengths, styles and textures can offer a varied look and turn just a plain t-shirt into a new outfit all together.
Layering – Rain Jacket
A lightweight rain jacket is an extremely versatile piece and in recent years we have seen them become a lot more fashionable. Obviously, the rain jacket is the superior top layer should there be any chance of a mid-summer downpour.
Rain jackets can come in two different styles – the casual sportswear jacket and the fisherman style rubber jacket. The latter will tend to suit for a slightly more formal look.
This North Face jacket looks great layered over a t shirt, paired with black jeans and some trainers.
Layering – Hoodie
We would describe the hoodie as exceptionally popular and stylish (whilst being extremely versatile). It has long past its association with street gangs and has entered the realms of fashion. Hoodies are also not just seen in streetwear, fashion has implanted its designs on to hoodies and they have started to become a little smarter in the process.
When choosing a hoodie, opt for a plain colour like black or khaki green and you will thank us when you’re at on outdoors event and the temperature unexpectedly plummets.
Layering – Shirt
The layering of a shirt and t-shirt is a timeless classic look that can be just as suitable casual as it can be for a smarter affair. Over shirts are often a little thicker than your everyday shirt- think denims and heavy cottons. These help to give you an added layer of warmth when worn over a t-shirt.
The best options for an over shirt is to pair it with a plain coloured t-shirt and either jeans, chinos or chino shorts. Another bonus with an over shirt is the option to button up the shirt midway through the night and look like you have had a full outfit change #winning.
Things to Remember when Layering
The key things to take away here are that it is likely (in the British summer) that you are going to have days where you will have to layer. Remember that layering is not a chore and that it will provide your outfit with some contrast and texture whilst giving you some protection from the weather. There are a number of viable layering options and if you need any more inspiration check us out here.