Firstly, my apologies for the delay in video episode 3. I’m still in China meeting with our manufacturers and video sharing here (where youtube, vimeo and numerous other American content-sharing sites are blocked) has made the editing process difficult. If all goes well, it should be up in the next couple days.

Anyway, it’s officially layering season. Finally time to put away those heavy parkas – but not quite time to introduce the lightweight fabrics or brighter colors of full-on Spring.

I try to transition my wardrobe gradually over time – although the sporadic weather can make this difficult at times. This time of year, it’s especially important to check the day’s weather forecast before getting dressed.

More than likely, you’ll want to have a few layers that you can add or remove should the weather (or your itinerary) throw you a curveball throughout the day. The trick is to keep the items trim and interchangeable.

Here, five ways to pile on the layers without looking all bulked-up like the Michelan man.

 

1. Big Vest, Little Vest

A down vest over a hefty blazer (or in this case, a suit jacket) is a look that guys seem to be getting more and more comfortable with. I’ve been doing this for years – it’s a great way to dress-down a jacket and make it look sportier.

The key here, as with all of these looks, is that I could easily remove any of these layers and still have well put-together outfit. The pieces aren’t dependent on one another, they simply compliment one another. For example, if it gets warm I can drop the down vest, or the tweed jacket, or both. Or if I need something more conservative for whatever reason, I can loose both vests and have a more traditional “business casual” outfit.

Bonus Tip: Sneak a tie bar under your sweater. 1) Nobody will know, 2) It will keep the tie hanging straight down from the neck, and 3) if you decide to remove the sweater vest you’ll still have a stylish accessory touch.

Bonus Tip II: Make sure to pull the armhole of the vest all the way over the shoulder seam of the jacket, this will “lock” it in place and allow them to sit more naturally together.