Layering Outfits for Women: How to Combine Several Layers

The onion look is made of several thin layers that you can put on and take off depending on the time of day and the temperature: a base next to the body, a middle layer such as a blouse, sweater or cardigan, and a jacket or coat on the outside. Instead of one thick piece you wear three thin ones, and each layer can be a little wider than the one below.

Cool in the morning, mild at noon, warm again in the office or on the train: that is what the onion look is for. The article shows how the principle works, how to build the base, middle and outer layer, which colors and lengths go together and which three outfits you can put together yourself.

What is the onion look?

The name comes from the onion: like its skins, several layers lie on top of each other and you peel them off one by one. In everyday life that means you do not start with a single warm piece but with several lighter ones that you can take off individually.

The principle is also called layering, from “layer”. The German term “Lagenlook” also means wearing several layers on top of each other. With the onion look, the practical benefit is what counts: you stay flexible when the weather or the room temperature changes.

Which layers suit which temperature is explained in the guide What to wear at 10, 15 and 20 degrees. This guide is about the principle itself and how the pieces work together.

How do you build the onion look? Base, middle, outer

• Base. The piece next to the body: a top, a T-shirt or a long sleeve top. It should be thin, because everything else goes over it.
• Middle layer. A blouse, sweater, knit vest or cardigan. This layer adds warmth and can be worn open or taken off.
• Outer layer. A jacket, a trench coat or a coat. The outer layer protects against wind and rain and is the first to come off when it gets warm.

Which jacket works as an outer layer is shown in the guide Jackets for women in spring and fall. A scarf adds warmth and is easy to take off at noon.

Examples: top, blouse, cardigan and jacket, or dress, sweater and coat

Top, blouse, cardigan, jacket. This is the version with four layers: a thin top as the base, a blouse worn open or closed over it, a cardigan as the warmer middle and a jacket on the outside. Each layer can come off without the outfit looking unfinished. With four layers, the top and the blouse should be especially fine. How a blouse looks under a sweater is covered in the guide Blouse under a sweater.

Dress, sweater, coat. The dress is the base, a sweater over it forms the middle, and a coat or trench coat closes the outfit on the outside. With tights and ankle boots it stays wearable on cooler days. You can read more in the guide Dress with a sweater.

All examples follow the same order: thin on the inside, warmer in the middle, a protective layer on the outside.

Which colors and lengths go with the layers?

Color. Two or three calm shades are enough. Beige, brown, cream, black and khaki combine well with each other, especially when the base stays light or neutral. One piece may stand out, such as a checked jacket or a colored scarf, and the other layers stay plain. More color ideas for the season are in the guide Fall outfits for women.

Length. Layers can have different lengths as long as you can see each one. A bit of the blouse shows under the sweater, the cardigan is longer than the sweater beneath it, and the jacket ends a little shorter or longer than the cardigan. What matters is that the hems are visibly staggered and not on one level.

Width. Each layer is a little wider than the one below. The more voluminous the jacket, the finer the layer underneath: under a wide jacket a shirt or a thin blouse is often enough, and under a slim-cut trench coat a fine knit works better than a chunky one.

Three outfits in the onion look

Shirt, blouse, jacket. The muslin long sleeve top in black is the base, and you wear the muslin blouse in khaki open over it. Both are cotton and thin. Jeans or pants in beige or cream go with them.

On the outside comes the oversize check jacket in brown with a stand collar and zip. It is the only voluminous layer, so the shirt and blouse beneath stay fine. The check is the only pattern, everything else stays plain.

Dress, sweater, coat. The muslin dress in black with a wrap look and tie belt is the base. Over it comes the lightweight sweater in brown, a fine knit with a feminine neckline, and on the outside a trench coat or coat in beige or camel, worn open. Add tights and ankle boots.

Top, cardigan, scarf. For days with little wind, two layers are enough: a basic top or long sleeve top and the Cozy Cardigan in beige in chunky knit, buttoned at the front. Add jeans or dark pants and a scarf that picks up a color from the outfit. When the room gets warm, you simply take the cardigan off.

When does the onion look work?

The onion look suits days when the temperature changes: cool in the morning, mild at midday, warm again in the office or on the train. It is also practical in autumn and spring, when the weather changes, because you take off the outer layer without the outfit looking unfinished.

On the go, you decide as needed which layer to wear. When there is little wind, two layers are enough, such as a basic top and a cardigan. When it is rainy or cold, the outer layer is added; in warm rooms, you take it off first and then the middle layer.

What to look out for when layering

• Thin instead of thick. Three thin layers are more flexible than one thick sweater, because you can take each one off separately.
• Only one full piece. If the cardigan and the jacket both have a lot of volume, the outfit quickly gets too heavy. One of the two stays fine.
• One pattern. With several layers, one may be patterned and the others stay plain.
• Each layer on its own. Each layer should also look good without the one above, because at noon you may take one off.

Matching items in the shop: blouses and knit vests.

Frequently asked questions

What is an onion look?

An onion look is an outfit of several thin layers on top of each other that you can put on and take off one by one depending on the weather and the time of day. A base, a middle layer and a jacket are typical.

What does layering mean?

Layering means wearing clothes in several layers, from “layer”. It is the same principle as the onion look: several pieces on top of each other instead of one thick one.

Which pieces suit the onion look?

Thin pieces that also look good on their own: a top, long sleeve top, blouse, cardigan, knit vest, lightweight sweater, jacket or trench coat.

How do I combine the onion look with a dress?

The dress is the base, a sweater or cardigan goes over it and a jacket or coat on the outside. Tights and ankle boots keep your legs warm.

Which colors go with the onion look?

Two or three calm shades such as beige, brown, cream, black or khaki. One piece may stand out and the others stay plain.