Layer Up

Go beyond a shirt and jacket and be creative, advise leading designers

Don’t let the dreary weather get you down. As the temperature dips, turn to layering. “There is a difference between piling on clothes, and layering. The most important thing is to get the basics right,” insists designer Rakesh Thakore of Abraham& Thakore. And even as a pashmina shawl, a French coat or a woollen stole are some of the best options to keep you warm, experts believe that they are monotonous, and outdated. “Don’t wear more than three layers, and wear the thinnest one closest to the skin. Pick skinny trousers or jeans, or leggings as bottoms for when you’re layering; they slim you down,” he adds.
Keep the coat on
Styled coats over pants, waist coats over kurtas for men and even women, along with a linen scarf are some of Anita Dongre’s tips. “It is best to incorporate a mix of colours and textures when styling a layered look,” says the Mumbai designer, adding, “You can pair a statement dress with a subtly printed jacket and an elegant scarf.”
Colour blocking is another simple way to highlight an outfit. You can team a structured jacket, a contrasting bag and a printed stole for a fusion look. “Black and white is a staple combination. For an important lunch meeting, throw a solid coloured jacket on. The key is to combine overtly dressy elements with casual pieces,” Dongre adds.

Anita Dongre prêt range
of jackets, capes and bandis start at Rs  5,000. Details: anitadongre.com
Abraham&Thakore stoles start at Rs 2,000 and jackets at Rs 9,000. At The Collonnade, The Leela Palace. Details: 080 41329316
Péro by Aneeth Arora
coats and jackets start at Rs 5,000. Details: strandofsilk.com
Anand Kabra’s collection starts at Rs 6,000. At Collage, Wood Street. Details: 080 25566818
Couture jackets at House of Three
begin at Rs 15,000. At Jeevan Bhima Nagar. Details: 9886212837
— Nandini Kumar