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Your Guide to the Best Ways to Layer This Fall

Victoria Nguyen
Mary Moody McLean
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at VCU chapter.

It seems like yesterday that people were worried about the blistering heat and whether the air conditioning was properly running. Now that we are reaching the end of September, we can all agree that the transition from hot and humid to the cool and breezy can be extremely confusing. Can’t decide if it’s still warm enough to wear tank tops? Is it still too warm to throw on a hoodie? Do you wear both? This guide is the perfect answer to all your complicated wardrobe questions.

Oversized Knit Cardigan

There seems to be a stereotype around cardigans. To clarify, it isn’t just for librarians and private school students. Cardigans are a must-have for days where you need more warmth, but don’t wanna deal with all the layers. The best part? They can be dressed up and down. They can be worn with jeans, leggings or even as a way to cozy-up at home! Cardigans might be known for keeping warm, but they can also add texture and character to any outfit. Oversized cardigans like the one pictured above are meant to provide comfort and style up any outfit. 

Denim Jacket

One of the more classic layering pieces is the typical denim jacket. Investing in a good quality denim jacket can be pricey, but it will last you for many seasons to come. It can add warmth when layered with a turtleneck or sweater or flare by pulling it over a colorful/patterned top. My advice: get a jean jacket that fits a bit oversized so you can pile up layers or just wear it alone with a t-shirt. The best thing about this garment is the versatility it has. They can be found anywhere, from your dad’s closet to the fashion week runway!  

Rain Jacket

Personally, I think this is an essential for the transitioning seasons, such as fall and spring. When the rainy season arrives, it means the temperatures are cooling. Raincoats come in many different styles and colors. Some are thick and insulated to keep you warm, while others can be thin and very easy to layer with. Personally, I love wearing these jackets over a t-shirt and hoodie to layer on colder rainy days.  

Sweater Vest

At first glance, I know what you might be thinking: Sweater vests are a trend to be kept in the past. I used to think the same thing until I began seeing the different types of outfits that could be made with them. They can come in many patterns, textures and colors, making it easy to pair with an outfit for any occasion. These knitted vests are the perfect garment to keep warm if you hate layering. Wearing this over a simple long sleeve or collared shirt could amp up your look to be more sophisticated.  

As the weather cools down, it’s important to know how to layer properly. I say this for all my ladies and gentlemen out there that will do anything to avoid wearing a winter coat outside during the colder months. 

Victoria grew up in Northern Virginia and is a Junior at VCU this year. She is majoring in Mass Communications with a concentration in Digital Journalism and dreams of pursuing a career involved in Fashion Editing. She loves traveling, listening to music 24/7, and learning about new cultures.
Mary McLean (née Moody) is an avid writer and is the former Editor in Chief of Her Campus at VCU. She wrote diligently for Her Campus at VCU for two years and was the Editor in Chief for three years. You can find her work here! She double majored in Political Science and History at Virginia Commonwealth University and graduated in 2022. She loves her son, Peter, and her cat Sully. You can find her looking at memes all night and chugging Monster in the morning with her husband!