I love layered LOOKS I see in photos, but am myself a reluctant “ layerizer”. By that I mean I very easily feel too constricted & bunchy. In particular in top layers. Also in top layers, it is very easy for an underlayer to noticeably change the fit and drape of a garment so that, to my eye anyway, it no longer “ does what I want it to” for the look I was going for. Or I struggle with sizing because my natural tendency is to size up too much even normally, with no layers.

But then, I hate to be cold, and I don’t like much synthetics in hot weather.

So with a 3-4 season climate, I tend to collect winter garments that are warm toasty but may only have 4 months of wear temp- wise, then in hot temps I need cottons & rayon blends and not even many technical fabrics, which I do not find to be “ wicking” at all. Of course I am also a serial over- duplicater so I tend to overall have too many items per season.

This is one of the sources of my overly large wardrobe or more specifically, need for a lot of season swaps and off- season storage, as main closet is not large enough. But now that is combined with more fickle body shape, fits and preferences so that it’s dicey to think I will wear a many of the things just a few times each per year for say, 5 years.

I want to change ( hahaha) to more layering for warmth but in a realistic way, that still feels comfortable to me. . Here are a few things I’ve learned, and I’d bd intro know if anyone else has similar issues or things that overcame them.
First, I am paradoxically very tights- tolerant, though for layering I size up. In addition to having actual “ long John’s” like undersilks that are less constricting.
And in a way the tights help some with pants appearance because is smoothing, even if not tight. So I have tried to do more of that with less warm pants. For example last year in got Athleta Pinnace pants because of their high waist/ pleats and swishy drape. But they’re too hot ( poly) for summer & too chilly for winter. But good with even fleece tights.

I like some pullover- over- shirt looks but can’t stand the bunching on arms. But have gotten a few sleeveless collared blouses. Not a lot of warmth though. A thin silk or poly blouse is better- feeling ( slippery) but not a good direction to add more because they’re too hot alone later.

I’d think it would be easy to use more actual jackets for top layering, but to be roomy well, then it looks like outerwear. Some luck with knit blazers but usually cannot button up, so not always cozy.

I do have some Heattech undershirts that fit snugly, but the long sleeved ones still annoy me a bit. And a pretty old Hanro thin cotton. Also a while ago I bought a silk cami that I found great for not altering the appearance of a sweater top- it was cut more like a slip and was also “ slippery “, but again not warm. So might look further into more washable silk undergarments.

These issues are mainly for leaving- the-house type of wear and “ nice” occasions like going to lunch or casual gatherings, where I could wear all my fleece but would rather wear some of my other items, especially if I’ve kind of finally worked out some outfit proportions. For lounging or just going about my day at home in cold winter
I’m happy with fleece- lined joggers and fleecy tops and some roomy overshirts.

Over to you- please share hits & misses.