Here in the Philippines, layering isn't that popular. Only a few people can pull off the look. I guess Filipinas are still scared to experiment too much with clothes. But I personally LOVE layering clothes! I've been trying several times to layer my clothes and I think I do give it justice. Seeing the chic and sophisticated looks that appear effortless is my weakness and I think layering is one of the best techniques that can exude that. One of my favorite celebrities that I think does the best layering is Lauren Conrad.
Here's the thing, though.
1. It's hot here in the Philippines so I don't think I'll want anything to do with various layers of jackets. It's a tropical country so it's hard to look (and feel) comfortable with layering. (What I often do is use very light fabrics). I can do with a blazer that has a lightweight fabric or a scarf that's pretty thin.
2. Layering different colors can be a big problem for me. I don't want to look like a rainbow gone wild. I'm scared to look like a clown, too.
3. I'm a bit chubby and really small (5' flat). I don't want to look any smaller and any fatter. I'm scared that if I layer too much, it's going to make me look more beefy.
4. Choosing which piece goes with another piece is quite difficult for me. I don't want it overdone but sometimes, I'm afraid I may have projected that overdone look.
Can anyone help me with this? What are your rules when you layer? How do you decide which layers go together?
Comments (24)
i don't layer my clothes.
i just look like a blob all wrapped up in different layers of material.
not pretty.
I love layering my clothes. I don't so much do it with jackets and scarves, but with tanks and tees.
Try wearing off shades of the same color. Dark blue tee with a light blue tank and white tank underneath. You might even be able to add a thin scarf, but that's up to you. I prefer layered necklaces or no neck attire what-so-ever.
I am chunky and short myself, and if you choose darker colors to wear on the outter layer you will avoid looking bigger.
Layering, in the Philippines?! I can't even pull off pants and a shirt without sweating like a pig.
I LOVE layering. Not so much in hot weather, so I'm not sure if my experience will help, but I'll try.
Absolutely don't wear too many different colors. Two, three tops if one is a neutral color. So: beige, green, blue. Or: White, yellow, orange. That kind of thing.
Dark colors are slimming.
Light materials are good.
And remember Less is More. And as Coco says: always take off the last accessory you put on!
Wear very sheer things. Each layer underneath smaller than the other, just barely peeking out. Maybe that will help you avoid the physical dilemma of overheating and the aesthetic dilemma of looking bulky. You don't have to layer an incredible amount. One of my summer outfits is a beige cami underneath a cropped gray/beige plaid blazer and some short shorts, finished off with gray flip-flops. Is that considered enough for layering? It's more than a t-shirt, but it's not an incredible amount, which I think is a good medium for you because of your environment.
One idea you could try is layering a black tank top underneath a brighter tank top in hot weather. It works for a bunch of my friends!
dont wear tight things.
thats all i can think of for somewhere as hot as the phils
I don't really like layering because it usually turns out so bad when I do. Unless you live in Baguio or something, I don't think layering is practical.
The only things I do layer, though, is a large pea coat with some sort of scarf.
I'm really short too (4'10") and definitely on the bigger side, so I know what you mean. I like to wear a pretty tight fitting tank top with a looser, flowing shirt over it. The tank top helps to kind of hold me in, for lack of a better way to put it, and the shirt on top is more flattering than another tight fitting shirt would be. And if the top shirt is really long, that's a plus too because I'm pretty self conscious about my butt and thighs. It probably makes me look even shorter, but I feel like my legs look more toned with a loose, long shirt covering up the biggest problem areas. I don't mind looking shorter though; people already know that I'm ridiculously short and many of them think it's cute! :)
Pay attention to the length of the longest layer for your short body. I have the same problem too but I usually pick out tops that are not too long (hips-max). Of course, you can always wear heels to make yourself taller.
maybe you can try layering a long halter top with a different colour tank top. the inner layer must be longer than the outher layer. try bold colours. or bright colours. like yellow + pink, maybe... and wear these tops with black leggings.
when i layer clothes, i try to layer only sheer pieces together. i don't layer as much as i would like to though.
Try layering a tank with a thin cardigan and a scarf. Maybe some chunky jewelry.
That's my layered look. I have the same problem - the short thing. Yeah. It's loads of fun, huh?
I layer just about everything, and I'm also short, but I also come from a colder climate. I love jackets way too much (I could probably wear a different jacket for every day of the month with no repeats), but unless you get something lightweight, it will probably be too heavy.
lol. im filipina. and its true, philippines is hot and humid. layers are too hot over there, plus most people would think you're weird to be wearing that. lol. just wearing a skirt that ends a little over the knee will make ppl think of you bad. People over there are wayyyy to conservative.
But when i layer, i usually just layer my colored clothing with neutrals. It seems easier, and yea, im scared if i put too many colors, i'll end up looking weird. lol
It can get pretty warm here in California too. I usually just layer a tank under a tee, with the bottom or some of the top showing from underneath the tee. other times, I`ll have a cardigan over my top. I don`t do much with scarves.
I`m only an inch taller than you, so I know your fear of appearing even wider, especially with our lack of height [darn genes]. But a belt at least two inches wide worn at your natural waist will help define your shape.
get a whole bunch of classic clothing - they're easiest to layer.
@IMahal_IKita@xanga - thats my first thought as well.
oh my!! in hot weather? well.. u can try something sheer and layer that?
@IMahal_IKita@xanga - i know! that's why i hate the weather here. haha. but i really stay long under the sun and everywhere i go to is almost always air conditioned. but still, i love layering.
@Got2_Luv_Meh@xanga - good thing is that people here are STARTING to be more open. still conservative but a little less in degree though :)
it's hot hot hot, except for the rainy season (June-August) and the holidays (November-January). bummer.
@gottalovebeauty@xanga - true true.
I'm not a fan of major layering..it doesn't work for me because I am pretty curvy for my height.
try black skinny jeans w/ a black loose tshirt w/ a bright coloured tank top peeking out underneath? :)