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November is here, and with its arrival comes cooler, harsher weather. That includes blistering winds, snowy mornings, and late-night temperature drops that require a new level of layering techniques and transitional separates to survive unscathed. Luckily, cold-weather dressing is a Vogue editor specialty. While we adore a good, style-forward fit, we’re not willing to forgo function and warmth for the sake of chic—these two things can and must coincide. Enter winter’s essential layering guide: a virtual tour through Vogue editor’s closets of must-have winter garb, from knits to tanks to tees.
Vogue’s Winter Layering List:
With a few reliable styling hacks, we’ve mastered the art of bundling up with grace and style. There are wool shackets ideal for layering atop turtlenecks, bodysuits to place beneath fall dresses, oversized sweaters to wear over, well, everything, and buttery-soft tank tops to add a buffer between mohair and skin. Read on for all of the layering pieces, from cashmere sweaters to organic cotton T-shirts and boat-neck tops, that are keeping us toasty throughout the season.
Chloe Malle, editor, Vogue.com
A whisper-thin knit and a shacket are the golden keys to the kingdom of layering pieces and the perfect way to straddle fall to winter. I love this perfect Attersee turtleneck and Banana Republic work jacket.
Leah Faye-Cooper, digital style director, Vogue.com
I try to make a lot of my summer dresses work for winter by layering them over bodysuits. Wolford makes a fantastic one that molds to the figure for a perfect base. St. Agni tees are great for wearing under vests and cardigans (they’re so soft) and while I understand that a crop top isn’t the most sensible cold-weather piece, I simply can’t help myself from time to time. So long as you have a really warm coat, Aritzia’s Contour cropped shirts are indeed winter attire.
Libby Page, executive commerce director
This top (in black) is always my go-to—I just love the weight of it. It fits under almost every blazer and jacket I own. For something thinner, I go to Uniqlo HeatTech and layer that under all my shirts. My favorite combination is a turtleneck, shirt, and crewneck sweater over the top!
Lilah Ramzi, contributor
I never knew what to do with sleeveless turtlenecks until I discovered how to layer them. Wear them beneath any V-neck sweater or sweater dress for a very chic look that doesn’t cause any friction or add bulk to the arms. My favorite combo is a winter white turtleneck paired with a black cable knit sweater. It doesn’t get any better!
Cortne Bonilla, senior shopping writer
I have a bit of a texture problem. Although I gravitate toward wool, mohair, and brushed knit fabrics, my allergies despise it! I like to add a layer between my skin and knits with winter layers that are sculpting and smooth. Kye Intimates is my ultimate go-to for its buttery soft fabrics, stretchy layering tanks, and, for days spent working from home, jersey lounge pants. My other favorite items to layer during winter is an Olsens-style creamy oversized sweater, and a Skims smoothing T-shirt, or a Still Here NYC crew neck underneath.
Concetta Ciarlo, associate manager of events
When it comes to layering, it’s all about cashmere, mohair, and tights for me. If there’s one thing I despise, it’s a scratchy knit. I opt for cozy-chic fabrics with a soft feel against the skin and sport my boat-neck tops from Intimissimi year round. As New York gets colder, I repeatedly reach for my mohair knits from Rouje. I won’t give up my skirts and dresses without kicking and screaming, so I’ll slip into my 100 denier tights whenever it’s brisk out instead.
Madeline Fass, senior fashion market editor
Almost every one of my cold weather outfits starts with a simple, thin, long-sleeved shirt. I love the ribbed ones from Bite, they’re a little transparent so they look nice under blazers or shirting. I like to have a little bit of the edges of the sleeves, hem, or neckline peek out from whatever I’m layering on top. J.Crew’s classic crewneck cashmere sweaters are the most convenient sweaters I own for layering as they’re not too thick, which makes them super comfortable under the arms of winter coats or over top shoulders!
Laura Jackson, shopping writer
During the cold-weather months, I live in long-sleeve turtleneck tops. I wear mine tucked into midiskirts and tailored trousers or blue jeans on the weekends. Cos’s classic black choice is a staple in my rotation. Like an LBD, it truly has endless closet appeal. I also love this off-white Banana Republic option. It can be tempting to wear all-black or other dark colors in the winter, but with this one in my back pocket, it brightens up any winter wardrobe blues.
Kiana Murden, senior beauty commerce writer
Maybe it’s a result of my childhood track days where I’d wear a thermal long-sleeve and compression shorts (I hated running with leggings or compressed materials!), I only layer the torso these days. That said, I gravitate towards athletic wear under sweaters and jackets! Alo’s is perfect for more serious insulation, while Intimissimi’s is best for a lighter, more versatile layer. Shirts aside, I am passionate about cozy socks that add a bit more cushion with boots. Bombas are my personal favorite for daily wear (I mean, who doesn’t love Merino wool socks?), and Ugg’s are incredible for snowy days ahead.
Alexandra Ditch, associate commerce producer
If there’s one thing my closet is well-equipped with, it’s layering pieces from J.Crew! I have been loyal to its tissue turtleneck for years—it’s just thin enough to wear underneath my favorite blazer, yet thick enough to wear on its own. The Perfect-Fit tees and tanks are body-hugging, making them ideal for layering, too, especially when you’re looking for a higher neckline… And you simply can’t go wrong with their comfortable, V-neck undershirts!
Hannah Jackson, fashion writer
You can’t beat a Uniqlo tee. It doesn’t bunch up under your sweaters, and it’s also super durable. Don’t let the price tag spook you—this is more than just your average white T-shirt. Flore Flore has gained a cult following for good reason thanks to this well-made, 100% organic cotton shirt. The Car tee is so flattering that you’ll want to wear it beyond sweater season.
Madeleine Schulz, reporter, Vogue Business
My number one layering basic is a white crew neck tee. I’m loyal to my Hanes x Karla The Classic, but given they don’t make these anymore, I’ve been layering my Cou Cou Baby Tee under V-neck and crewneck jumpers, and it works perfectly. On the other end of the layering spectrum, I’m loyal to an over-the-shoulder sweater. A good styling trick, sure, but it also doubles as a scarf and, if it gets chillier, is an easy extra layer.
Mai Morsch, fashion editor
My absolute favorite layering piece is the merino T-shirt from COS. It is ever-so-slightly sheer, and looks great with a tank underneath or a sweater or blazer on top. Plus, it has thumb holes! I have four colors, but the black and grey are the ones I reach for most. I also love the lightweight, cashmere tank tops from Intimissimi. They are so soft and completely seamless.
Margaux Anbouba, senior beauty and wellness editor
I haven’t stopped thinking about this knit since seeing it on my coworker Laird. For my closet, this is the kitschy-cute cardigan to rule them all. The cozy knit is hand-embroidered with cute creatures big and small and looks equally cute buttoned all the way up as a top or worn open as part of an ensemble.
