Are you tri-layering? Trust me, you need to be. This is not just a trend – it is a life hack. Layering in threes is a brilliant formula for winter dressing. Three layers are warmer than two, and more comfortable than one. It is cosy but civilised. It has flair without being frenetic.
Wearing three layers instead of two elevates an outfit from run of the mill to a “look”. A shirt under a blazer is unremarkable; a shirt and a V-neck knit under a blazer is preppy chic. A long-sleeve T-shirt under an open shacket (shirt jacket, come on) is blah; add a fine-knit polo neck under the T-shirt and shacket, on the other hand, and suddenly you’re dressed for a romcom meet-cute over hot chocolate.
Tri-layering has been with us for years, in an under-the-radar way. But while a thermal vest hidden under your shirt and jumper is technically tri-layering, it doesn’t count as a fashion power-move. All three elements of your look need to be visible, and the trick to making this work is to make one of the three sleeveless. Three sleeves is too much bulk and gives you weird lumpy elbows, like a scarecrow. It’s not comfy – ugh, just thinking about that stuffed-sausage feeling is making me crabby – and the layers can’t slide over each other.
It is your torso that really matters when it comes to keeping warm, so it makes sense to have one more layer there than on your limbs. To make three add up, as it were, the colours need to work. Stick to classic contrasts (red, white and blue always works) or go tonal with, say, three pale neutrals.
The best options for the sleeveless layer are a knitted tank top or a padded gilet. In other words, either a jumper with no arms, or a puffer jacket with no arms. The padded gilet works for streetwear and dress-down wardrobes; a knit vest is right if you tend to wear tailoring and dresses.
A tank top is a great third wheel, and there are some lovely Fair Isle styles on Etsy. The neckline depends on what goes underneath. A V-neck is best if you like wearing a blouse or shirt with trousers under a blazer. If you are more of a T-shirt person, a crew-neck that you can wear over a long-sleeve T-shirt is best.
The sleeveless knit also comes into its own with those lightweight, loose, probably printed dresses with long and possibly puffed sleeves that we all wore a lot the past couple of summers. I tried wearing chunky jumpers over mine, thinking it would look romantic – like I was maybe going on a soulful walk – but it just looked like I was wearing something over my nightie to put the bins out. A sleeveless knit shows off the sleeves and brings the dress back to being a dress, so it looks smart again.
A puffer gilet is for more streetwear types – and Weekday has good, affordable versions. A no-sleeves padded jacket can look a bit “basic” worn just over, say, a jumper – a touch 1980s-mail-order if you know what I mean. But they are a delight to wear, putting a spring in your step by being cosy without heaviness, and as one of three layers they are ideal. Start with a knit polo neck, add a denim or khaki overshirt, then pop the gilet on top. Or layer a T-shirt under a contrasting half-zip, then add the gilet.
See? Just like that, you’re transported from Littlewoods catalogue into a J Crew shoot, possibly in Brooklyn. Told you three was the magic number.
Model: Eliana at Body London. Hair and makeup: Sophie Higginson using Davines and Rose Inc. Blazer: next.co.uk. Shirt and jumper: meandem.com. Trousers: yaitte.com
