An Introduction on How to Layer Clothes

Knowing how to layer clothes is a must for every man. Unless it’s summer, very rarely do we wear just one shirt and get ready for the day. Usually, it’s nice to accompany our shirts with a variety of outerwear, ranging from sweaters to all types of jackets.

In this article, I’ll be teaching you how to layer your clothes properly so you can stay warm and look stylish. Let’s get started!

What is Layering?

Layering is the process of adding on different types of clothing to create an outfit. An example of this is wearing an undershirt, then a garment, and then a jacket. These three layers of clothing create one outfit.

Why Should I Layer My Clothes?

Layering your clothes will not only keep you warm, but it will also put more depth into your outfit. For example, nowadays, people rarely wear their sweaters by themselves. They like to accompany it with some type of undergarment.

Layering your clothes also provides protection from the elements. The inner garment provides comfort and prevents sweat from gathering on the skin. This, in turn, keeps the skin warm and makes the wearer feel comfortable.

The middle garment is the main garment that provides warmth. It keeps the body insulated and makes sure that you don’t lose too much heat. Finally, the outer layer protects the rest of the body–and the other two layers–from the elements.

Some layered outfits don’t use three layers of clothing, but the purpose of each layer still stands. For example, with the sweater, the t-shirt will provide comfort and insulation while the sweater will protect the rest of the body from the elements.

When Should I Layer Clothes

You can layer your clothes throughout the entire year. However, it’s best to layer clothing during the fall and winter. It’s also optional to do this during the spring. Most men will opt for a simple t-shirt over a layered outfit during the summer because of how hot it can get.

Layering your clothes is also great for the workplace and for semi-formal/formal events. Layered clothing is seen with a more serious aesthetic than casual wear so these types of outfits will fit well within this spectrum.

If you’re looking for a great piece of formal neckwear, check out our ultimate guide on ascot ties!

But what about layering your clothes for the different seasons?

How to Layer Clothes for Cold Weather

During the fall and winter, you want to focus on clothing that has substance like jackets, hoodies, and sweaters. These are your outer layer garments, designed to protect you from the harsh cold that comes when the temperatures lower.

A great example of a jacket: Parkas!

But one outer garment won’t be enough. To be ready for the fall and winter, you’ll need to layer up by adding other layers beneath your outer garment. This could be an undershirt, a regular t-shirt, or both.

You’ll want one base layer that holds moisture and contains sweat. Then, you’ll want a mid layer that helps trap heat to help you stay warm. Finally, you’ll want an outer layer that protects you against the elements.

Going for something a little more casual? Check out our article on joggers compared to sweatpants!

How to Layer Clothes for Summer

The lighter the color of your outfit, the less formal it is. I would recommend trying out an in-between color scheme. Mid-brown, beige colors and light navy looks have always been a popular go-to for those looking to dress well in the summer.

One controversy that goes on during the summer is whether or not one should use an undershirt. Undershirts serve one purpose: to retain sweat and moisture.

But while this may seem like a good thing, especially for the summer when warmer temperatures dominate, an extra layer also means extra heat trapped in your clothing.

Therefore, while wearing an undershirt can help reduce sweat stains, it can also contribute to increased sweating.

Should I Wear an Undershirt? 

An undershirt is your first line of defense between your sweat and your clothing. It’s meant to absorb the sweat so that it doesn’t get onto your more expensive garments. However, make no mistake: a t-shirt and undershirt are not the same things.

An undershirt is more lightweight and thinner than regular t-shirts because it’s seen more like a sweat rag than a piece of clothing. Furthermore, while I said that the magic number of layers is three, an undershirt is an exception to the rule because of how thin it is. 

But while the inner garment is meant to absorb sweat, that is mainly the undershirt’s job. Most of the sweat will be absorbed by the undershirt and the sweat that gets through is blocked by the inner garment. 

So, should you wear an undershirt? You should wear an undershirt if…

• You sweat profusely
• You’re wearing expensive clothing
• It’s colder than usual and you want something extra
• Your other layers of clothing are irritating your skin
• You have lots of chest hair

Don’t wear an undershirt if:

• You want to do it because you need a shirt to wear for the day
• You like the aesthetic of the undershirt

Undershirts are meant for sweat protection and sweat protection only. They’re also great for adding one more layer of clothing, but that’s it. An undershirt should never be your main piece of clothing, the star of your outfit.

Some people don’t need undershirts because they don’t sweat very often, but I still recommend that you wear an undershirt. Why? Because most men wear some type of deodorant and without an undershirt, the deodorant stains will start to show on your clothing instead.

Now, maybe there are some men who don’t sweat profusely and don’t use deodorant. I would still recommend wearing an undershirt. It’s better to be safe than sorry. I’d rather take a few extra seconds to put on an undershirt than have to replace one of my shirts because of sweat stains.

The Different Clothing Layers

When it comes to layering, there are three different types of layers: the inner layer, the mid-layer, and the outer layer. The inner layer is used to retain moisture and prevent sweat from staining the other layers.

The middle layer is the layer that traps heat. This is the piece of clothing that keeps you warm in the winter and situated during the summer.

The outer layer is the layer that protects you against the elements. Usually, this is a type of jacket or hoodie that you put over your main outfit. The outer layer is the layer that you’ll see on people when you go skiing, hiking, hunting, etc.

Best Inner Layer Clothing

There are four options for inner layer clothing:

• Undershirt
• T-Shirt
• Dress Shirt
• Polo Shirt (With Caution!)

The inner layer is the first layer that you put on which is why it’s imperative that it’s moisture-absorbent and can keep the rest of your outfit clean. Personally, I think everyone should go with an undershirt as their primary layer, but a t-shirt, dress shirt, and polo shirt work too.

They can absorb sweat, maintain heat, and keep you comfortable but over time, you’ll start to see sweat marks show up. 

A t-shirt and dress shirt go great with sweaters and suits, but a polo shirt should be used conservatively. Polo fabric is much more delicate than most t-shirts and dress shirts. Furthermore, polos tend to only work well with certain outfits.

I would only use polos as a last resort if you don’t have any other inner layers of clothing available. 

Middle Layer

The best options for the middle layer of clothing are:

• Sweater
• Sweatshirt
• Zip-Up
• Long-Sleeve T-Shirts

The middle layer is the insulation, the main piece meant to keep you warm. As you can see by the list, all four articles of clothing are meant to do exactly that. Sweaters are made from a traditional mid layer fabric as are sweatshirts.

Zip-ups are a version of the sweater that can vary between traditional materials such as wool and other options such as polyester. The difference between a zip-up and a sweater is that zip-ups have a zipper so they don’t need to be pulled over the head.

When it comes to knowing how to layer clothes, this is the layer that most men struggle with because of the insulation factor. Mid-layer clothing is meant to be loosely-fitted so that insulating air can be trapped between the layers.

However, because the mid layer fabrics tend to be cotton and wool, mid layer clothing will almost always shrink a little bit. To make sure this doesn’t happen, learn how to wash cotton and wool without shrinkage. 

Outer Layer

The outer layer is the layer that protects against the elements, so the outer layer needs to be waterproof and breathable. Your options include:

• Vests
• Jackets
• Hoodies (Use Sparingly!)

Vests and jackets can protect against wind, rain, and dust. However, because most hoodies are composed of 70% or more pure cotton, most hoodies don’t have a natural tolerance against the elements.

The reason I say you should use hoodies sparingly is because there are some hoodies which use polyester which is considered “everyday” waterproof, so in the case of a hybrid hoodie which uses both cotton and polyester, it can be considered an outer layer.

Conclusion

Knowing how to layer clothes is a skill all men should possess. However, it’s not as simple as putting on a t-shirt and a hoodie. One should know how to layer clothes for summer and how to layer clothes for winter.

One should also know that each layer of clothing serves a different purpose. From retaining sweat to protecting against the elements, by putting our clothes on in the correct order, we’re prepared for whatever mother nature wants to throw at us.

From a stylistic point-of-view, layering allows us to mix-and-match different colors and textures, adding depth to our outfits. So whether we’re battling the elements or trying a new color combination, layering allows men to upgrade their fashion sense to the next level.

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