Some winter days feel like they’re playing tricks on you. You wake up, look outside, and the sun is shining with full confidence—bright, warm-looking, almost springlike. Then you open the door and immediately wish you’d worn your entire wardrobe at once. Very cold air, low temperatures, and bright sunshine make getting dressed a daily puzzle. What’s the solution?
It’s simple: layering.
Good layering isn’t just practical; it becomes a style superpower. When the weather can’t make up its mind, layering keeps you comfortable, prepared, and effortlessly pulled together. At Sugarhill Brighton, we love building wardrobes that work for real life, and this season is all about clever, comfortable, feel-good layering.
And sitting at the heart of it all is one of our most versatile pieces: the Annika.
Why Layering Matters (Especially Right Now)
That in-between weather—cold air, bright sun, fluctuating temperatures—demands flexibility. Layering gives you the freedom to respond to whatever the day throws at you. Add a layer when the wind picks up, remove a layer when you step into a warm café, build a look that adapts rather than locks you in.
The right layering system keeps you feeling warm without feeling bulky and stylish without feeling overdone. It’s the easiest way to create outfits with depth, shape, and personality.
And the backbone of great layering is a great base layer—which brings us straight to the Annika.
The Annika: A Layering Hero
The Annika is one of the most versatile thin layers you can own. Lightweight but warm, slim but soft, simple but stylish—it fits into almost every layering combination you can imagine. When it comes to layering, the Annika is that effortless base that quietly makes every outfit better.
Here are just a few ways to use it in your winter layering rotation:
1. Layering under a tunic
2. Under a smock
3. Under a vest
4. Under a cardigan
5. Under a bomber
6. Under a summer dress
7. Under a boilersuit
8. Under a shirt
9. Under shirt dress
10. Under a jumper
The power of the Annika is that it warms without bulking, making it the perfect foundation for almost any layering look.
1. Under a Tunic
A tunic gives you flow; the Annika gives you warmth. Together they create comfortable, breathable layering that looks relaxed but polished.
2. Under a Smock
Smocks have that easy, oversized feel. An Annika underneath keeps the silhouette balanced and adds the extra layering you need on colder days.
3. Under a Vest
Perfect for transitional weather. The vest becomes your mid-layer, while the Annika sits close to your skin as your essential base layer.
4. Under a Cardigan
A classic layering duo—soft, warm, and endlessly wearable. The Annika keeps your outfit structured while the cardigan adds texture and personality.
5. Under a Bomber
For days when the cold bites, this is the ultimate layering trio: thin Annika, medium layer, thick bomber. Warm, practical, and effortlessly cool.
6. Under a Summer Dress
Bring your warm-weather wardrobe into winter. The Annika becomes the subtle layering solution that lets you wear colour and print even on frosty days.
7. Under a Boilersuit
A boilersuit looks great, but it can feel chilly on its own. Add an Annika underneath and you instantly create a warm, comfortable layering base without changing the look or fit of the suit.
8. Under a Shirt
Button-ups can be surprisingly drafty. An Annika worn underneath gives you invisible warmth while preserving the clean lines of your shirt. It’s a smart, everyday layering trick that works for office days and weekends alike.
9. Under a Shirt Dress
Shirt dresses are brilliant for year-round wear with the right layering. Slip an Annika underneath to turn a breezy piece into a cosy winter outfit—warm arms, warm core, and a chic silhouette.
10. Under a Jumper
This is cold-weather layering 101. A thin base layer like the Annika adds warmth without adding bulk, making your favourite jumper even cosier. It’s the kind of pairing that makes winter dressing feel effortless.
Understanding Your Layering Levels
Thick Warm Layers: Fleeces & Bombers
These are your protective outer layers—the top tier of your layering system. Thick layers like fleeces and bombers seal in heat and shield you from the cold. They’re essentials on those sharp, bitter mornings when you need proper insulation.
Medium Layers: Cardigans & Rita Jumpers
Cardigans and Rita jumpers are excellent medium layers. Not too heavy, not too light, they’re the heart of your layering sandwich. They add texture, create dimension, and make your outfit feel cosy without restricting movement.
Thin Layers: Brunswick & Annikas
Thin layers form the base of any smart layering system. These pieces sit close to your skin, add warmth without weight, and create an even foundation for whatever you add on top. This is the most important tier for comfort—if your base feels good, everything else does too.
By mixing these three layering levels, you can build outfits that feel warm, flexible, and stylish, no matter how confusing the weather gets.
Simple Layering Tips That Make a Big Difference
If layering feels intimidating or fiddly, it doesn’t have to be. A few simple principles go a long way:
Start thin. Begin with a fitted, soft base like the Annika to set up your layering foundation.
Add texture. Combining different fabrics—smooth, fluffy, structured—makes your layering look intentional and elevated.
Play with lengths. A longer cardigan over a shorter jumper creates visual interest and keeps your layering from looking flat.
Balance volume. Pair roomy pieces with fitted ones so your layering stays flattering and comfortable.
Use layering to revive old pieces. That summer dress, that smock, that tunic—you can bring them all into winter with smart layering.
At its heart, layering is about flexibility and creativity. It’s about making your wardrobe work harder and giving yourself options throughout the day.
When the Weather is Confusing, Layering Is Your Best Friend
Cold temperatures, bright sunshine—it’s a combination that makes getting dressed more complicated than it should be. But with the right layering pieces, especially essentials like the Annika, you can take control of your comfort and your style.
Use a thin base layer, build up with a medium layer, and finish with a thick outer layer. Mix and match as the day changes. Peel off, add on, stay warm, look good. It’s the beauty of layering: adaptable, expressive, and endlessly wearable.
So next time you step outside into sun and frost at the same time, trust your layering. It never lets you down.
