How to layer clothes in summer without getting too hot
Wondering how to layer clothes during summer without overheating?Stylist’s fashion writer shares the outfit formulas, styling tricks and shopping tips she wears all season. The best part? You probably already. . .
Wondering how to layer clothes during summer without overheating?Stylist’s fashion writer shares the outfit formulas, styling tricks and shopping tips she wears all season. The best part? You probably already own most of these pieces; you just haven’t tried wearing them together yet. For years, I thought layering belonged firmly in autumn and winter. As soon as summer arrived, I automatically stripped everything back to a dress, sandals and little else. But somewhere along the way, after a lot of trial and error, I realised I’d been looking at layering all wrong. Done well, summer layering isn’t about piling on clothes. Instead, it’s about creating a little extra interest to your look through clever styling, unexpected combinations andlightweight fabricsthat work with the heat rather than against it. Think crisp cotton poplin over second-skin ribbed tanks, silky slip dresses layered over fluid linen trousers, featherlight knits draped over sun-kissed shoulders and baby T-shirts peeking out beneath delicate strappy slipdresses. The result?Outfitsthat feel richer, more put-together and infinitely more expensive, without adding unnecessary warmth and bulk. So if you’ve always assumed layering was reserved for colder months, consider this your permission to think again. These are the outfit formulas I come back to everysummer, along with the styling tricks I’ve picked up along the way to make them feel easy and, crucially, cool enough to wear even on the warmest days. Double basicsIf there’s one styling trick I’ve shamelessly stolen from fashion week street style, it’s layering a crisp ribbed tank over a perfectly cut baby T-shirt, whether short or long sleeves. It looks a little cooler than just a single T-shirt all while providing you with a little extra coverage from the cool breeze. It’s all about the contrast. I want the top half of my outfit to feel neat and sculpted – a second-skin T-shirt beneath a weighty tank – before letting the silhouette relax into a pair of slouchybarrel-leg jeansor puddling tailored trousers. It’s polished without feeling precious and looks relaxed yet put-together. When I’m shopping, I always reach for tanks with substantial ribbing and made from cotton that hold their shape rather than collapsing after one wear. American Vintage has long been my benchmark; its Massachusetts styles are made from ultra-fine 100% Supima cotton that feels like a second skin thanks to its lightweight, soft and delicately sheer fabric. Elsewhere, The Set at Next and Mango offer round-neck, multi-layered tops that punch far above their price point. The best part? They’re all available in a variety of fun, mood-boosting shades alongside easy neutrals. Credit: Soraya Gaied ChortaneDraped topsIf I had to crown one item the unsung hero of my summer wardrobe, it would be the drapedcape top. Somewhere between a T-shirt and a fine-knit, it has a beautifully draped silhouette that instantly creates the illusion of layering without requiring you to add another item of clothing. The wide slash neckline, fluid batwing sleeves and swathes of fabric create movement every time you walk, making even the simplest pair of jeans look considered. The best versions I’ve found are at H&M, where they come in buttery creams, rich chocolate browns and soft grey shades. They remind me of the fluid, goddess-like draping seen across thespring/summer 2026 catwalksat Alberta Ferretti. I throw mine over barrel-leg jeans, white linen trousers, satin slip skirts and even tailoredBermuda shorts. They genuinely work with everything. Shop more styles at my latest edithere. Tailored blazerWhenever I hit that awkward too-hot-for-layers stage but I still want a bit of coverage stage (usually somewhere around 28ºC), this is the outfit I always come back to. An oversized blazer thrown over the tiniest white tank and a pair of knee-skimming Bermuda shorts somehow just works. It feels relaxed without looking scruffy, polished without trying too hard and strikes that sweet spot between masculine and feminine. When it comes to silhouette, I’m a firm believer in sizing up when it comes to blazers. I want them to feel like I’ve borrowed them from someone with impossibly good style or, admittedly, a boyfriend. I always push the sleeves up to my elbows because blazers can sometimes feel a little too formal and a bit boardroom-esque. It instantly makes the whole outfit look more relaxed and effortless, which is exactly the vibe I’m after. And whatever you do, resist the temptation to button it up. Leaving it open lets the white tank peek through and keeps the whole look feeling lighter, cooler and much more laid-back. The best part? The blazer almost becomes like an accessory you can have on you whenever you need it. Wear it while there’s still a breeze, sling it over your shoulder once the sun comes out, then throw it back on when you’re heading out for dinner. If you’re shopping for one, look for softly tailored linen, cotton or lightweight blends from Cos, Mango, Zara’s ZW Collection or Massimo Dutti. You’ll reach for these every season (not just summer). Credit: Soraya Gaied ChortaneDresses over jeansI know what you’re thinking: dresses over jeans? Again? Did we not leave that trend alongside Ashley Tisdale’s red carpet looks, Jessica Alba’s 2003 awards show wardrobe and the era of long camisoles layered over bootcut jeans? Not quite. But fear not, you can forget cropped bootcuts, three-quarter-length capris and overly embellished denim. The 2026 update feels infinitely sleeker, quieter and, dare I say it, incredibly chic. Spend five minutes scrolling through Copenhagen Fashion Week street style and you will see exactly what I mean. Silky bias-cut slips floating over puddle jeans. Crisp linen trousers peeking out beneath barely-there dresses. Even slouchy Adidas tracksuit bottoms styled with minimalist satin slips. It shouldn’t work, but somehow it does. It’s become one of my favourite styling tricks because it completely transforms the slip dress. Instead of only reaching for it at weddings, on holiday or for late-night dinner reservations, layering it over relaxed trousers suddenly makes it feel like something you can wear on a Tuesday morning for coffee or to the office. It breathes new life into a piece that might otherwise spend most of the year hanging in your wardrobe. The secret is all in the movement. You want fabrics that almost dance together as you walk: liquid satin skimming over washed linen, soft tailoring or fluid denim that pools around the shoe. The whole outfit should feel easy and a little undone. If one piece is too structured or clingy, you lose that beautiful sense of flow. I’d steer clear of bodycon silhouettes. This styling trick works best when there’s a little air between the layers and the dress gently skims, rather than hugs, the body. For minimalist slips, Omnes, Massimo Dutti and Reformation rarely miss. Pair one with Aligne’s exceptionally cut trousers or Levi’s relaxed jeans and you’ve got an outfit that feels far more fashionable than early-00s Disney Channel. Credit: Soraya Gaied ChortaneFeatherweight knitsIn summer, a fine knit is a great alternative to a jacket. Not because it’s warmer, but because it adds softness, texture and another point of interest to an otherwise simple outfit. I’m talking about those whisper-light cotton and cashmere jumpers that fold into almost nothing. The sort you casually knot over your shoulders, drape across your chest or tuck into your tote before the temperature inevitably drops after sunset. I never tie mine too tightly. Loose, slightly undone and a little nonchalant is always the aim here. Think coastal-grandma cool. Texture is crucial too. Crisp poplin. Slubby linen. Soft ribbed cotton. Cosy cloud soft cashmere. As I’ve said before, summer layering is about mixing up different fabrics and pieces rather than piling on more clothes. Have fun with it!Best layering fashion buysAmerican Vintage tank top MassachusettsBuy nowAmerican Vintage Massachusetts T-shirtBuy nowH&M cape-sleeved knitted topBuy nowH&M flounced lace-look dressBuy nowThe Set at Next mock layer semi-sheer soft-touch vests, set of threeBuy nowPrimark satin lace trim hanky hem midi skirtBuy nowLevi’s cinch barrel-leg jeansBuy nowImages: Soraya Gaied Chortane; courtesy of brands