Last year’s love affair with the layering trend continues going strong in 2024. From jewelry and makeup to accessories and apparel, layering is practical, chic and expressive. The key to successful layering in terms of fashion is stocking your wardrobe with versatile basics to see you through each new season.
New Year, New Trends
The new year is seeing some new color and accessory trends, such as the return of girly accents as well as bold statements and maximized layering. Great basics such as a neutral-colored women’s crew neck tee will give you the perfect canvas for bold accessorizing and maximum layering. Here are some trends to be on the lookout for.
Chocolate Brown
Basic colors have come a long way from the styles of yesteryear. While your mom’s definition of basic colors may be limited to black, white and gray, basics today have evolved. Neutral color palettes and earth tones are where it’s at in 2024. A standout shade this year will be chocolate brown. Essentially, brown is the new black. Its rich hue looks beautiful on any skin tone and body shape, and it pairs well with all the colors of the rainbow.
Because of their versatility, chocolate brown garments are perfect for layering. There are so many stylish ways to do this. Outfits like a white long-sleeved v-neck layered with a chocolate brown puffer vest, or chocolate-on-chocolate layers, which give a sophisticated vibe, are just a couple of ways to look good in this popular new color.
Feminine Touches and Bows
The girly accents are entering 2024 with a bang! From dainty jewels to shimmery makeup and pretty hair bows to bedazzled accessories, feminine touches are here to stay. Instead of the familiar “boyfriend” vibe, looking forward, you can expect to see all things girly. And more is better when it comes to these feminine touches. Your layered basics lend themselves well to building your look with pops of color, bows of all sizes and touches of glitz. Don’t hesitate to layer your accessories just as you layer your garments.
Maximalism Is In
This trend, also known as cluttercore, is the antithesis of minimalism. Whereas minimalism is all about donning the few timeless pieces you love most, maximalism is all about piling on lots of much-loved garments and accessories to create a bold and colorful aesthetic. While maximalism, if not done well, can lead to an over-the-top, cluttered look, when done intentionally, it can be pure magic.
To dress with maximalism, feel free to mix and match patterns, rock bold prints, layer to the hilt and wear tons of accessories at once. This movement is about breaking all the rules of fashion that you’ve previously adhered to. It’s a fun way to style your wardrobe by wearing plenty of things you love at once even if they’re not necessarily meant to go together.
The More Layers, the Better
It’s no surprise that with the advent of the maximalism fashion era, layering is king. There’s a three-layer rule in fashion that asserts that while two layers are cozy and cute, a third layer elevates your aesthetic to polished, chic and fashionable. While you should always add that third layer, don’t be afraid to go beyond the three-layer rule in 2024.
Mastering the Art of Layering
Layering is all about artfully and intentionally mixing textures, colors, patterns and depth to your outfit. For instance, layering soft knits with structured denim, everyday t-shirts with chunky sweaters and delicate textiles with stylish women’s jackets are great examples of how to layer textures.
Likewise, it’s fun to experiment with layering colors. Some fun ways to play with colors are to layer a few neutrals with one pop of bold color or to layer the same colors on top of each other for a chic, monochromatic vibe. Finally, in keeping with the maximalism trend, it’s OK to layer different patterns and prints, too.
Shop Your Closet First
A great way to dip your toes into the layering trend is to shop your existing wardrobe first. Consider your basics, like shirts, jeans, sweaters and loungewear, and visualize how you might build upon them to curate a cool, layered look. The best thing about layering is that you don’t have to start from scratch. You can add new pieces to the garments that have been collecting dust in your closet.
Add Complementary Pieces
One of the best rules of layering, whether it be casual or dressed-up outfits, is to add complementary accessories. From belts to scarves and sunglasses to hats, accessories are the name of the game in terms of layering. Fun socks, a cute purse, the perfect shoe and sweet hair accessories are just a few of the ways to perfectly layer your look.
Jewelry puts the cherry on top of your outfit. Layering your jewelry is just as important to your finished look as layering your clothes is. Tiered necklaces, stacked bracelets, lots of rings, mixed metals and the perfect pair of earrings will elevate any old outfit to a high-fashion moment.
Final Thoughts on Layering
Layering is an integral part of women’s fashion, as it allows for versatility, creativity and practicality. It offers endless possibilities for curating unique outfits that tout personal style and combine textures, colors and patterns. It enables women to adapt their outfits to changing weather conditions, transitioning between events and ensuring comfortability and functionality without compromising style.
Layering is a timeless technique that transcends fashion eras. Whether it’s donning a turtleneck under a dress or adding a cardigan to your favorite t-shirt, the art of layering allows you to create multidimensional and effortlessly chic ensembles throughout the year.
