WIW 10.21-24 [layering shirts under knitwear]

While I'd been off this type of layering for a while now, Angie's recent post on layering shirts under knitwear made me realize that for some reason it never occurred to me to try this with both pieces as fluid or oversized. Crazy but true. Now this layering feels so much more appealing! After seeing the post, I had all kinds of ideas floating around in my head. So I just decided to make a week of it. Feel free to skip ahead to the photos :)

#1 - Fluid BF shirt + oversized sweater. A more boyish variation with subtle print mix (windowpane pants, kitty print shirt). Appeals to my desire to pair pastels with black, have at least a little white/light in each outfit, and of course my love of light footwear. Bright orange lipstick for a little shock of color, and hair down to combat the more masculine vibe.
  Newer: pants, boots, coat
  Older: sweater, shirt, earrings, watch, clutch

#2 - VERY oversized shirt + cropped boxy sweater. It was pouring cats and dogs this day, so I pulled out my sparkly jelly Chelsea boots (yup!) and layered up. I had actually thought of wearing a variation of this for SSIF but shelved the idea due to not having a white tunic shirt but then remembered that I had this, one of hubby's that was too big even for him. I plan to wear it as a Fashionably And Hectically Large tunic this season ^^ Soft pink lipstick, and knit hat for brief outdoor periods. Had to take indoor photos because of the rain, so I lightened one of them to show the tuxedo stripe detail on the ponte pants. Ultimately I liked the outfit but not the look; I'd have been immensely happier if I'd put my hair up to make it less top heavy. Next time!
  Newer: sweater, pants, boots, earrings, hat
  Older: shirt, watch, clutch
 
#3 - Fluid-bordering-oversized shirt + loose semi-boxy sweater. I wanted to try at least one with a non-welted sweater, but my options there are limited. Enter this mint sweater, which usually gets worn in spring/summer, paired with denim and black to bring it more into fall. Debut of new booties from NAS, which uhhhh are my first pair of black booties (yeah...). They felt heavy, which I'm assuming is a mix of the chunkier heel and the fact that I just don't wear dark footwear much any more. I'm sure my eye will adjust, I do love the boots! Plum gloss for extra autumn and speaking of extra, extra crazy hair this day for some reason.
  Newer: boots
  Older: sweater, shirt, jeans, earrings, watch, clutch
 
#4/5 - Oversized shirt + fluid sweater. I loved all the white-on-white layering examples in the post, and while that's more up my alley, today I thought it'd be fun to do a navy-on-navy version. It's been dry in my neck of the woods for two days (!!) so of course I just had to pull out my flares! Hair up to minimize the darkness, and accessorized with glam elements (giant crystal earrings, leo pony clutch, and a pile of dainty rings). Plum gloss to add an extra grounding darker element. And by total coincidence, accidental outfit twin with Una :D
  Newer: sweater, jeans, earrings, clutch, some rings
  Older: shirt, watch, pumps, some rings

#6 - Put all the earring detail photos together so they'd take less room.

I found that I much preferred this type of layering with the two softer shirts in #3/4, and am very happy with how not-so-preppy these turned out.

And to my surprise, I still have many more ideas to try! I'd been thinking that I didn't have enough fluid/oversized pieces to use, as I've been on a slow mission to upgrade my sweaters and button-up shirts and didn't feel like I'd gotten very far with it. But these were all fully closet shopped, and, really, I don't need to have a dozen in each style or anything; there are plenty more combinations, fab ones at that, which I could put together with what I have. Should be fun to continue experimenting with this throughout the season.

Comments, critiques, thoughts and questions welcome!

1
2
3
4
5
6
This post is also published in the youlookfab forum. You can read and reply to it in either place. All replies will appear in both places.

23 Comments

  • cheryle (Dianthus) replied 9 years ago

    As much as I appreciate all of your accessories (I copied the watch after all), I think your hair is your best accessory.  You have amazing hair Aida.  

    The window pane pants look fabulous and your layering looks great.

  • Karie replied 9 years ago

    Oh I love #2! I don't think your hair makes it look top heavy at all - it looks gorgeous. Those rain boots are perfect.

    I have the opposite issue with footwear - I always go for dark shoes/boots, and I am trying to incorporate some new lighter ones into my outfits. It does take time for the eyes to adjust!

  • Suz replied 9 years ago

    What a fantastic experiment and look at the results! I love how you explained your thought process. 

    What a clever thing you did with our collarless kitty shirt, making it appear to have a collar against that sweater! Nifty idea! I find layering over silk is often easier because the silk collapses into the body and so you don't get that "bunchy" sensation as much. 

    #2 just absolutely slays me -- it is GORGEOUS on you! I agree with Karie -- your hair does not look too heavy to me. But I get that the textured sweater together with the hair might feel like ALGO. So I also think it would look equally good with your hair up. 

    #3 is gorgeous and unexpected and you can absolutely wear dark footwear. It does not look "heavy" visually to me in this outfit at all. 

    As for your Una twin outfit, that is just too amazing for words, and you are both psychically gorgeous. 

  • Sveta replied 9 years ago

    Suz, I don't think it is "your" collarless kitty shirt - I think it is "my" collared kitty shirt from Gap as Aida and I are twins (once again).
    (Oh, I just thought - Aida, have you tried to pair this our kitty shirt with our Kut plaid skinnies? May be a fun pastel mix )

    #2 is my favorite of the lot. You look so beautiful in cream and white as they are a nice contrast with your dark hair and complement your pale skin. Perfect! Tucking the pants into the ankle booties works for you but I always feel weird when I try to do this.
    It is fun to see you experimenting with fluid and oversized trend!

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 9 years ago

    Wow--these are all so, so great! And there are MORE variations on this theme to come? Bring them on! You are rocking the layered fluid shirt and pullover look, Aida. It is obviously made for you.
    I can't believe your gorgeous white tunic is your husband's shirt (and a too-big cast-off at that!). I about fainted at that outfit. Seriously. If you felt your hair needed taming, just keep the tam on--that is such a charming look on you.
    Your dark floral look is stunning, too. Tonal navy is incredible on you. I'm really loving your hair, even or maybe especially in the "extra wild" style.

  • Diana replied 9 years ago

    Oh wow! Love all these variations on the theme, Aida, and can't wait to see more! My particular favorite is #2. Love the silhouette and the fact that the fab tunic is from your husband's closet... Sadly I think my husband's shirts are just too big for me no matter how you slice it.

    The tonal layering with "our" floral sweater is brilliant too. I'm taking notes!

  • Lynne replied 9 years ago

    Aida, this post is like the WikiHow of sweater layering!  So good that you could repurpose hubby's white shirt, and that you could 'closet shop' so many variations on the look.  I love them all, xo.

    Fabulous skull ring, too ;).

  • Neel replied 9 years ago

    You have to be the coolest girl in my world! I love all your outfits and I am marking it as favorite to come back and refer! Those skulls are too cool ... Although I could never wear them! I have scrawny fingers and try not to emphasize them ever! Lol!

    I find light colored shoes a challenge! And being a dark haired girl I wouldn't believe you find dark shoes a challenge?! I would think it is the easiest with our hair! Taking notes on how to wear light shoes as we speak :). I love the drama of light shoes :)

    Although all outfits are based on the same principle, I love how every outfit has an entirely different vibe. Genius and well done!

  • CocoLion replied 9 years ago

    Love the second outfit the most.  VERY modern and I think your hair is perfect.  The way it goes with the black pants is beautiful.  I don't think it's top heavy at all, that's in your head.

    This is a great editorial on layering woven shirts -- I'm taking notes.  I'm going to try and copy #3 when it's not 75.  I've pulled out my cardigans and closed footwear, but the sweaters come off and no socks are needed, yet.

  • Lucy replied 9 years ago

    Like all who have commented, I ADORE #2. Just so beautiful with the mix of whites and it really does make you shine. This is a fun project! 

  • Ingunn replied 9 years ago

    You do it for real, Aida! Wow, how inspiring this collection of outfits is. The immediate favorite is probably #2. The hectically oversized shirt with the cropped sweater is just plonk-worthy. I'm into black and crew right now, and I might try to copy this somehow. The rain boots are so fun, too. I also adore #4, so trendy and with gorgeous colors. The subtle layering is perfect, I think. 

  • Mona replied 9 years ago

    You have done the layering with your signature fun style. Suprisingly, my favourite is the first outfit. So elegant. 
    Mint and floral sweater outfits are super too. Your new black booties look so modern with the chain detailing. The accessories are, as always, cherry on top. 
    My question is, how does your hair behave after you remove the beanie?

  • Carole replied 9 years ago

    So this is how to do it! Great job working your closet , Aida. These are all awesome outfits but my hands down favorite is 2. So modern looking and the accessories are perfect. I could never in a million years feel comfortable in a cropped sweater because of my body type, so I'm super jealous!

    You have given me some ideas to try with a mint sweater in my closet, but it might be too from fitting for it to work. Worth a try. Thanks for the inspiration.

  • replied 9 years ago

    These are all fabulous renditions Aida! I have to follow what others have said and say #2 is also my favourite. I just love all that yummy cream colour against your dark hair.

  • Angie replied 9 years ago

    You know I can just eat you up in #2. Killer deluxe. 

    *chomp, chomp, chomp*

  • Angie replied 9 years ago

    LOVE the plaid party in #1. Soooo fun - just like you.

    The flares look amazingly gorgeous in #4, and the "blogger look" is ultra divine in #3. You rock my style world, Aida. 

    It feels awfully fresh to layer fluid shirts under roomy knitwear at the moment, doesn't it? I've been all over it for about two months. 

  • Tanya replied 9 years ago

    Wow, all of these are beyond fab Aida!  Can't wait to see more, what a successful experiment.  #2 is out fo this world, stunning!

  • Suz replied 9 years ago

    Well, Sveta, you must be right! Apparently I really do need that eye surgery I am scheduled for! But nevertheless, we all agree that Aida looks fab. 

  • catgirl replied 9 years ago

    Aida, you are killing me!  #2 is my favorite, but all of these are da bomb.  I am copying whatever I can here...

  • Sveta replied 9 years ago

    Suz, we do  indeed! :-)

  • E replied 9 years ago

    Oh I love 2 to death! The others are great too, but that one is just too good for words. And how great you could manage it by raiding your DH's closet. :)

  • Jaime replied 9 years ago

    Aida so glad to see you! These are gorgeous. Hmm, I loved the white on white looks in Angie's post and l love your version here. Mint is a great color on you and I really like how you combined it with a black shirt for a more autumnal look. Love the flairs. Love your hair! Waiting for the culottes :-).

  • lyn67 replied 9 years ago

    Aida, my all times fave is nr 2! After admiring the perfect proportions of it, I was  wondering where that great shirt (and sweatre) are comming from. Then finally,  read the post, and saw it's your hubbie's shirt. OMG. I didn't know they are making hi-low and round hems on men's shirts, too. It's perfect! Now off to check DH's  closet:-).

You need to be logged in to comment