Fashion and Function: The Duality of Layering

Liv Sanchez

Vermont winters get frigid. Period. How can you stay warm? And even better, stay fashionable? 

The answer to both: layering. 

The feeling of entering a hot and stuffy dining hall or classroom following a trek through the frigid winter cold is a uniquely uncomfortable experience. And while it's a staple of Middlebury winter life, the discomfort can be alleviated using layering. With layering, one can essentially have on an outfit for every temperature they expect to encounter. 

According to backpacker.com, for optimal warmth on those winter days, it is best to compose an outfit out of four essential layers: a base layer, a midlayer, a hooded jacket, and an outer shell. Granted, no one is exactly hiking to class, but the trek to twilight can pose some problems if underdressed. 

Layering doesn’t just have to be for warmth’s purposes. For one, layering can completely elevate a look. Take an outfit with a simple T-shirt, and then add a sweater and see how the outfit is completely changed. 

So how can one tie in these two benefits of layering together? When building an outfit, try and focus on layering different fabrics and textures, along with complimentary colors, to build a more tangible outfit. (Extra points for mesh fabrics layered on top of visible patterns!) And then, if this base/mid layer is warm enough, one or two solid sweatshirts/jackets/bomber jackets (see suggestions below) should suffice for your “hooded jacket” rotation. As for the shell– go as warm as possible. Sometimes practicality must take precedence over fashion! 

What are more ways we can make this smorgasbord of clothing fashionable? To answer this question, let’s look at current and past winter trends.

In 2022, styles inspired by trends from the 60s, 70s, and 80s have started to come back into the fashion cycle, as the culture perhaps begins its shift away from the Y2K, frenzied, maximalist aesthetic it has embraced throughout the past two years. Last spring, we saw pinstripes everywhere; this winter, it’s shearling coats, highly reminiscent of 60s and 70s outerwear. Looking to winter wear from these decades, we can pull inspiration for outfits today. For example, colored prints and plaids, long flared pants, boxy blazers, and leather coats. When seeking layering inspiration - both practical and fashionable - take a look through old magazines (or Pinterest pages) at past decades and trends.

Visuals by Liv Sanchez & Zari Garfield