L is for Layering

This is the season to perfect your ability to layer creatively, darlings!
Runway inspirations via style.com except where noted:

3.1 Phillip Lim

Note how the scarf is tucked into the belt!
Adam
Burberry Prorsum
Carolina Herrera
Charles Nolan
Derek Lam
Diane von Furstenberg – loving the short belted jacket over a longer sweater!

This photo via nymag.com
Jean Paul Gaultier
Blumarine
Miss Sixty
A Fall 2008 look from Tory Burch.

Visit toryburch.com.

Expert Layering Options:

1) Experiment with variegated sleeve lengths

At Marni, three different sleeve lengths add interest to the look. Note also the variety in colors and fabrics... Nothing really "matches" but somehow it all works!

This picture courtesy nymag.com.
Just look at the variety of sleeve lengths in jackets for autumn!
Mike & Chris Stanley sleeveless blazer.

Visit owlslab.com.
Gap short sleeved pea coat, $78
Trina Turk Shiro jacket with funnel collar and elbow length sleeves, at shopbop.com
2) Belt it! Remember the SNL “Gap Girls” sketch with David Spade and Chris Farley? “Just cinch it!” Turns out they were right ~ Whether over a cardigan or jacket, open or not, a belt adds interest and defines the waist. Check out the instructional trio of looks from luckymag.com!
See also: Autumn Cashmere belted vest over BA&SH tunic, via Glamour UK

3) Get sheer! Layer two sheer shirts together. Or layer a diaphanous blouse over a dress!

4) Use skinny jeans as leggings! Check out CC’s fave layered look in the collage above – CC loves to wear J Brands under a T-Bags dress! Then throw on a fitted blazer, fun wrap and cute cloche and you’re good to go!

5) Don’t fret if your frock peeks out from beneath your coat. It is now perfectly acceptable to wear a shorter topper over a longer dress, as at Peter Som.
6) Wear a strapless dress over a tunic or long-sleeve shirt! See Paul Smith floral frock at right, and note the multiple patterns!

Another option? Layer a bustier over a tee!

Photo courtesy nymag.com.
7) Don multiple blazers, like this model at J-C de Castelbajac.

Image via Paris Vogue.
8) Wear a waistcoat atop a blouse, as at Diane von Furstenberg

Runway photo via nymag.com

DVF, contd.

Isletti Vest, Bergen Silk Chiffon dress and skinny python-embossed belt, at Neiman Marcus.

You may also experiment with layering two vests of different lengths, shorter over longer!
9) Tights are your friend! Layer fishnets over opaques, and experiment with patterns and interesting color combinations!

Karolina Kurkova, photographed by David LaChapelle for Vanity Fair, August 2001
10) Wear a blazer over a dress! Step up your evening game with a look like the one pictured above: Alice + Olivia bustier dress paired with Rag & Bone blazer.

This is the time to invest in some versatile and timeless sheath dresses. Be sure that that can stand alone as well as team with other key pieces in your wardrobe, for that expert layered look.

And don't be shy! Foray out of your "solids" comfort zone and pick up an interesting shift like this Lauren Moffatt embroidered hem dress. Will look so chic paired with a cardi, cape or duster!

All at shopbop.com.

11) Be adventurous with gloves.

For example, you may wish to layer your bangles over your gloves, as done by Marilyn in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and Lucy Liu

CC also loves the look of opera length gloves with a short-sleeve cardigan, jacket or dress.

Louis Vuitton pre-fall.