7 Clever Layering Hacks Fashion Girls Swear By For Winter

Winter fashion [1] can be tough, sure. But not totally dreadful. In fact, we'd go so far as to say that dressing for the cold is one of our favourites. Why?! Because it leaves tons of room for creativity. A skill that remains at the crux of said creativity? Layering! But before you get overwhelmed or pigeonhole layering as totally pragmatic, believe us when we say that there's a certain artistry to it that makes Winter dressing fun. Truly!

The genius of layering lies within those out-of-the-box, clever, and sometimes quirky whims. An extra sweater styled as a scarf here. An unexpected pop of glitter via sparkly socks there. Fitted mock-neck tops worn beneath lower necklines to ward off chill. And so forth. Since these layering hacks [2] aren't always the most intuitive, we viewed it as our duty to bring you some creative Winter outfit ideas that are A) stylish (duh) B) incorporate layers, and C) are easy to pull off (phew!). Does it get any better? We think not.

Whether you're already growing tired of tights, craving easy-but-warm combos that go beyond a sweater and jeans, or simply need some fresh colour ideas, ahead, witness seven layering hacks we love for Winter, as illustrated by some of our favourite fashion influencers. Shop each layered look head to toe, including some of our favourite new pieces from the POPSUGAR collection at Kohl's [3].

The Layered Outfit: A Minidress + Sweater + Leather Coat + Tights + Boots

Transform a warm-weather minidress into a Winter staple by layering a cosy sweater over top. Then, for extra warmth and texture, add in a pair of tights, a cool leather coat, a pair of Western boots, and a vintage logo bag for a result that we happily refer to as quirky-chic.

POPSUGAR Print Ruffle Mockneck Mini Dress

POPSUGAR Print Ruffle Mockneck Mini Dress [5] ($60)

POPSUGAR Turtleneck Side Slit Tunic

POPSUGAR Turtleneck Side Slit Tunic [6] ($50)

Pixie Market Leather Sleeve Tie Jacket

Pixie Market Leather Sleeve Tie Jacket [7] ($149)

Free People New Frontier Western Bootie

Free People New Frontier Western Bootie [8] ($148)

Heist The Fifty Tights

Heist The Fifty Tights [9] ($38)

Fendi Zucca Mini Handle Bag

Fendi Zucca Mini Handle Bag [10] ($575)

The Layered Outfit: A Sweater + Another Sweater + Utility Pants + Boots

A beloved fashion-girl hack for staying cosy sans a scarf? A second sweater styled as a scarf. Whether you choose to wrap a second knit around your neck or simply drape one over your shoulders, this look is supereasy to pull off with either matching sweaters or a mix of colours. Go for a pair of utility trousers tucked into slouchy boots for an unexpected finish.

POPSUGAR Balloon-Sleeve Funnel-Neck Sweater

POPSUGAR Balloon-Sleeve Funnel-Neck Sweater [11] ($50)

POPSUGAR Turtleneck Side Slit Tunic

POPSUGAR Turtleneck Side Slit Tunic [12] ($50)

POPSUGAR Utility Paperbag Pants

POPSUGAR Utility Paperbag Pants [13] ($50)

kensie Kenley Bootie

kensie Kenley Bootie [14] ($77, originally $129)

The Layered Outfit: A Teddy Coat + Cropped Jeans + Boots + Sparkly Tights

This outfit is actually quite simple: a cosy teddy coat, jeans, and ankle boots aren't exactly groundbreaking. The secret and rather subtle sauce, however, is a pair of sparkly tights (or knee-high socks) that peak from beneath the hem of the jeans. Not only do they make cropped denim more wearable in the cold, but they're just plain fun when the rest of your outfit is rooted in basics.

POPSUGAR Sherpa Trucker Jacket

POPSUGAR Sherpa Trucker Jacket [15] ($78)

POPSUGAR High-Waisted Kick Flare Jeans

POPSUGAR High-Waisted Kick Flare Jeans [16] ($50)

Calzedonia Patterned Knee-High Socks

Calzedonia Patterned Knee-High Socks [17] ($12)

Nine West Windsor Dress Bootie

Nine West Windsor Dress Bootie [18] ($139)

The Layered Outfit: A Sweater + Neon Long-Sleeve Tee + Leather Pants + Bright Socks + Sneakers

If you're the type to rock a base layer beneath your knits, go the extra mile with a pop of neon. Keep the colour coming with bright tube socks and coordinating sunnies (pink hair not required, though totally encouraged if that's your jam).

POPSUGAR Fluffy Pointelle Sweater

POPSUGAR Fluffy Pointelle Sweater [19] ($50)

Topshop Lime Long Sleeve Lettuce Mesh Top

Topshop Lime Long Sleeve Lettuce Mesh Top [20] ($18)

Apt. 9 x Cara Santana Faux Leather Cargo Pants

Apt. 9 x Cara Santana Faux Leather Cargo Pants [21] ($34, originally $68)

ASOS DESIGN Sport Socks

ASOS DESIGN Sport Socks [22] ($7)

New Balance 574 Sneakers

New Balance 574 Sneakers [23] ($80)

Forever 21 Oval Tinted Sunglasses

Forever 21 Oval Tinted Sunglasses [24] ($6)

The Layered Outfit: A Turtleneck + Cropped Sweatshirt + Utility Pants + Boots

Embrace the athleisure look by layering a cosy turtleneck underneath a cropped sweatshirt. Then, take your look in an edgy direction with a pair of utility pants and chunky combat boots. For a fashion-girl finale? A designer bag! Preferably one that can be worn crossbody.

POPSUGAR Turtleneck Side Slit Tunic

POPSUGAR Turtleneck Side Slit Tunic [25] ($50)

Nike Cropped Jersey-Trimmed Fleece Sweatshirt

Nike Cropped Jersey-Trimmed Fleece Sweatshirt [26] ($70)

POPSUGAR Utility Paperbag Pants

POPSUGAR Utility Paperbag Pants [27] ($50)

Schutz Karissa Bootie

Schutz Karissa Bootie [28] ($280)

Prada Leather-Trimmed Tessuto Nylon Shoulder Bag

Prada Leather-Trimmed Tessuto Nylon Shoulder Bag [29] ($525)

The Layered Outfit: A Sweatdress + Sherpa Jacket + Boots

OK, so you're not into a super bundled look. That's cool. Instead, team together cosy textures for a warm-ish outfit like a sweaterdress and trendy sherpa jacket [30]. For a feminine finish, give snakeprint knee-high boots and hoop earrings a try.

POPSUGAR Sherpa Trucker Jacket

POPSUGAR Sherpa Trucker Jacket [31] ($78)

POPSUGAR Belted Cosy Dress

POPSUGAR Belted Cosy Dress [32] ($68)

Steve Madden Rouge Tan Snake Boots

Steve Madden Rouge Tan Snake Boots [33] ($175)

Express Textured Metal Hoop Earrings

Express Textured Metal Hoop Earrings [34] ($15)

The Layered Outfit: A V-Neck Dress + Mockneck Tee + Boots

We love a plunging neckline, but when there's a risk for frostbite, we're very much here for layers. A fitted mock-neck tee instantly makes a V-neck wrap dress Winter-proof (the same goes for a cool pair of combat boots).

POPSUGAR Button-Up Midi Dress

POPSUGAR Button-Up Midi Dress [35] ($64)

POPSUGAR Elbow Sleeve Mockneck Top

POPSUGAR Elbow Sleeve Mockneck Top [36] ($36)

Dolce Vita Vela Boots

Dolce Vita Vela Boots [37] ($160)

POPSUGAR UK