Layer Away

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People often ask me about why and how I layer.  I’m not really aware of any hard and fast rules though generally, I’d like each layer to serve some sort of a visual/texture purpose.  The final effect is probably too busy for most people and as the GIF below plays out, many of you might be thinking ‘Stop Susie!  Don’t go any further!’ but I tend to like pushing it further and further until it goes very very wrong at the end, so much so that I sort of end up liking it for its wrongness.  The resultant effect is also fairly multi-dimensional, which makes ME happy.  Not that I’d be adverse to stepping out in just the simple tee, vest and leggings either of course.  It’s just that the All of the Above navy sheer t-shirt, Forever 21 pailette jersey dress, gunmetal puffball skirt, Alexander McQueen cape around the waist, Tofu front tie- tuxedo, Balenciaga jacket and Tim Ryan fringe scarf just makes everything all the more fun for me to play around with. 

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58 comments

  3. Ah..the good thing about uk is the erratic weather… And freakishly I just don’t sweat that much even when it is hot unless I’m running or something (not a regular occurence)… The outfit isn’t summery but then again london isn’t having that great a summer sadly… All the better for the layers…

  5. haha what a fab gif! i’m sure if we had all the wonderful clothes that you have, we would wear as many as possible too!

  9. Love the way it looks like you are dancing through the outfits! Great the way you keep pushing and pushing until you get a look that is truly individual. I wouldn’t go to that degree myself (too short to carry off some of those looks) but as that is your thing just keep on layering!

  13. Oh, where where where did you get the Tim Ryan scarf? Love it and the layering in general!

  14. This is really cool…in some of the in between steps I thought “hmm, really?!” but then it all came together in the end. And those boots look killer

  15. I love your layering, it adds so much interest and texture…I’m also majorly jelous of your massive collection of beautiful sheer things! Char x

  16. hehe… that’s awesome, it rather reminds me of this one art film at the tate modern of a guy who puts on his entire wardrobe. at once. luckily he didn’t have that many clothes.
    😉
    layering is awesome.

  19. I love cold weather, unfortunately the climate around me is subtropical and I sweat like a pig 🙁
    I loved all of it, the gunmental puffball skirt especially- I love the poofiness, and the length.

  21. this is just what we needed.
    something strangely fascinating about this moving image.
    makes me think more about the way i dress, and how dull it seems in comparrison!
    just one question which is now playing on my mind.. don’t you get desperately how under all of those layers?

  22. and i must say..
    i’ve just read the post about you going to the YOu B(log) event and it’s very much in line with how I’ve been feeling.
    I was rather down today about the blog; it’s so easy to do, but this has inspired me.
    and what WAS said about keeping up with comments? I find it so tricky!

  24. my dear stylish Susie
    before i go to bed, i wanted to warn my friends : be aware ! my last photos could give you the desire to fall in love with Paris and move in ! lol.
    cheers from Paris
    ps : if you want to switch links, of course i’ll be pleased
    Kamel
    STYLE AND THE CITY . COM
    PARIS

  25. If you’re going to do it, then I vote for going to the point of surrealism and “wrongness,” as you point out. Take it all the way. It’s much more interesting if you strongly push an idea than if you mildly toy with it.

  28. It’s a fabulous way to demonstrate exactly how many layers you do put on! I’m probably more of a two/three layer girl but this is inspiring me to maybe think again next I’m I’m dressing.

  30. I have to admit, every time I try my hand at layering I go “What would Susie do?” And I agree that it can look best when you go really far-the last look is my favorite!

  34. For some reason I love extremes so the begining is so bare and perfect while the end is simply so wrong that it’s perfect. Your layerig is nonchalant and fun.

  36. It’s too hot to even begin to think about formulating cool outfits, in the DC area. . .

  38. i could watch this for the next 15 mins – it’s ADDICTIVE! hahahhaa. that was like 12 pieces?!?! that might be already one quarter my wardrobe so maybe it’s not wise for me to attempt that, heh.

  40. It’s funny that you say you keep on layering until it’s all ‘wrong’ because I think you look more and more comfortable in the GIF/photos with the more layers you have on.
    I like that you have shown us the process and psychology of how you dress, we have a different style but I think the same way when I get dressed. At least I believe I do!
    LM
    x

  41. i love all the layers, especially the sheer blue top.
    Also, im going shopping in london tomorrow, would you be able to recommend any great shops that aren’t so well known, bearing in mind that i havent got that much money to spend?
    thanks 🙂
    i love your blog by the way 🙂
    x

  44. Great post. Don’t stop layering… it’s your style persona and I love how you fall in love with the ‘wrongness’ of it. If it feels right, then it could never be wrong, Susie… keep wearing what you love!

  45. Wow, it’s amazing how that crazy layering looks so good at the end! I’m impressed and intrigued and jealous because I can’t pull if off like you!
    [I’m linking you on my new blog, if that’s okay?]

  46. love the graphic, I don’t layer much in the summer because it is humid where I live, but there’s no one better to learn from than the master!

  51. That layering is amazing, and it’s cool to see how you actually put your outfits together. Don’t ensembles like that make you hot? I know the weather isn’t exactly brilliant at the moment, but with that many (even thin) layers on I would be sweating like a bitch! Hot look Susie. Cx

  54. i enjoyed looking at this film. i really like some of the style choices. do u know that these shoes were originaly developed in former yugoslavia? i think that is so cool.

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