Easy winter layers | thanks to Marks & Spencer

Winter is coming. (Sorry, I couldn’t help myself).

Getting dressed during the colder months is tricky, you can’t just throw on a cute dress and call it a day, but with a few light layers, you can make choosing an outfit stress-free.

I’m currently planning a few days out of town, so I’ve pulled together a collection of key pieces from Marks & Spencer that can mix and match to keep packing to a minimum. Almost all of them are under $100, with the majority under $50!

When it comes to outerwear and layering, is there anything more classic than a trench coat?

From Marlene Dietrich in A Foreign Affair and Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s to Duchesses Kate and Meghan, and even my all-time favourite Gossip Girls ‘Blair Waldorf’ and ‘Serena van der Woodsen’, the trench coat has been worn by them all.

It is timeless, sexy, mysterious, and chic all at once. Do you have something elegant underneath it? Or could you have nothing underneath it?

At $107, this Double Breasted Trench Coat is a steal. It boasts a classy double-breasted design with a longer length, it’s also has a water-repellent finish.

Get the look: Stripe Sweatshirt | Jeans | Trench Coat 

Smart layering can keep you warm without making you look bulky. For a cosy and casual outfit, I started with Pure Cotton Straight Fit T-Shirt (T41/1265, $10) and added the Ribbed Longline Cardigan (T38/5473, $42).

The cardigan provides a great pop of colour, while the longer length creates the illusion of a longer frame. I then topped it off with the Double Breasted Trench Coat (T49/3422, $107) in Dark Stone.

While you can get away with wearing almost anything under a trench coat, I like to wear layers that look good on their own too. This way, you can add and remove layers as the day becomes warmer or cooler, and still look good.

Get the look: Tee | Jeans | Cardigan | Trench Coat | Ballet Flats 

This Pure Merino Wool Round Neck Jumper (T38/7721, $64), which also comes in grey and navy, goes with everything from mid and pencil skirts (like this gorgeous Metallic Jersey Pleated Skirt (T59/4366, $64) and printed pants to jeans, or could even be layered under a denim dress.

This Metallic Jersey Pleated Skirt is a perfect blend of street style and sophistication, and can be dressed up and down with ease. Here I’ve gone for a more elegant look, but it also looks fantastic paired back with a simple white tee and denim jacket (stay tuned to my Instagram for this look).

Get the look: Jumper | Pleated Midi Skirt | Bag 

For another look—this one inspired by Audrey Hepburn’s black on black outfit from Sabrina—I paired the Pure Merino Wool Round Neck Jumper back with the Cotton Rich Spotted Slim 7/8th Leg Trousers (T59/5532, $59).

Get the look: Sweater | Spotted Pants | Trench Coat 

As with the pleated skirt, you could pair these pants back with a tee, the longline cardi or a denim jacket for a more casual outfit.

For more outfit inspiration on how to wear a trench coat, click here and here.

This post was produced in conjunction with Marks & Spencer.
Photos by Kate Luke