Layering in summer sounds like the worst idea ever, right? Like, who decided we needed more clothes when it’s already 85 degrees outside? But honestly, summer layering is one of those things that completely changed how I dress, and once you get the hang of it, you’ll wonder why you ever left the house in just a tank top and called it an outfit.
I’m Freya Weston from thehousedrop, and I’ve spent more summers than I’d like to admit either sweating through a jacket I didn’t need or freezing in over-air-conditioned restaurants because I didn’t bring one. This list is basically everything I wish someone had told me earlier. Let’s get into it.
1. The Linen Shirt Over a Slip Dress
This combo is genuinely one of my favorites, and I’ve been wearing it on repeat since I first tried it three summers ago. You grab a silky slip dress — midi length works best — and throw an oversized linen button-down over it, leaving it completely unbuttoned. The linen breathes like a dream, and the slip underneath keeps things polished even when the shirt starts doing its own thing in the breeze.
The trick here is contrast in texture. The slippery silk against the rough-but-soft linen creates this effortless visual interest that honestly looks way more intentional than the two minutes it takes to put together. I usually go for a neutral slip — ivory, sand, or soft white — and then a linen shirt in a slightly contrasting shade like sage or dusty blue. Finish with strappy sandals and a woven bag and you’ve basically nailed summer dressing.
2. Cropped Knit Over a Breezy Sundress
Yes, I know — a knit sounds heavy. But a fine-gauge cropped knit in cotton or cotton-blend fabric is genuinely lightweight and adds just enough warmth for those cold-office situations without making you melt outside. Layer it over a flowy sundress with thin straps, letting the dress peek out below.
The silhouette this creates is so good because it defines your waist without being tight anywhere. I wore this exact look to an outdoor brunch last summer and got approximately four compliments, which I’m absolutely counting as a win. Go for a knit in a matching or tonal shade to your dress if you want it to look sleek, or contrast it with a pop of color if you’re feeling bold.
3. Wide-Leg Trousers, Fitted Tank, and a Sheer Blouse
TBH, this might be the most versatile summer layering formula I’ve ever found. You start with wide-leg linen or cotton trousers, add a fitted ribbed tank tucked in, and then layer a sheer button-up blouse over the top — either tied at the waist or left loose and breezy.
The sheer blouse does all the layering work without adding any real heat. It creates that effortless “I put effort in but also I didn’t” vibe that everyone is chasing. If you find a sheer blouse in a subtle print — stripes or a tiny floral — it adds even more visual dimension to an otherwise simple base. I picked mine up at a market stall for about £12 and it’s been on heavy rotation ever since.
4. Denim Shorts, a Longline Tee, and a Kimono
Kimonos are having a forever moment and I will defend them until the end. A lightweight kimono in a printed or solid fabric layers beautifully over a longline graphic or plain tee with denim cut-offs. It’s casual, it’s fun, and the kimono adds that extra something without being heavy at all.
The key is to keep the tee long enough to create a layered hem effect below the kimono. I prefer a kimono that hits around the thigh rather than full-length for this look — it keeps things proportional and a little more modern. Throw on some white sneakers or flat sandals and this is your perfect casual summer day outfit sorted.
5. A Maxi Skirt, Bandeau, and Loose Button-Down
Ever looked at someone at a beach bar and thought “how are they managing to look that good with that little effort?” — nine times out of ten they’re wearing something close to this combination. A flowy maxi skirt paired with a bandeau or bralette top gives you the warm-weather ease, and then a loose, open button-down shirt (linen, cotton voile, or even a lightweight chambray) ties the whole thing together.
This look works especially well at the beach or on holiday because you can shed the button-down when you’re actually in the heat and still look completely put together underneath. I always pack a couple of lightweight button-downs when I travel because they genuinely do so much heavy lifting with minimal actual weight. Pun very much intended.
6. Bike Shorts, Oversized Blazer, and Simple Tee
Okay, blazers in summer might seem intense, but a linen or unlined cotton blazer is genuinely not much heavier than a thick cardigan — and it looks about ten times more polished. Pair it with fitted bike shorts and a plain white or neutral tee tucked slightly at the front, and you’ve got a look that works for brunch, a casual work meeting, or even a rooftop event.
The blazer-and-shorts combination plays with proportions in a really flattering way. The oversized blazer balances the fitted shorts without making you look boxy anywhere. IMO this is one of those formulas that genuinely works on every body type, which is rare enough that I feel strongly about shouting it out. Go for a blazer in a neutral — sand, white, light grey — and you’ll wear it endlessly.
7. A Cami, High-Waisted Pants, and a Mesh or Broderie Top
Layering a broderie anglaise or delicate mesh top over a simple cami is one of those styling tricks that sounds fussy but takes about thirty seconds. You get the decorative detail of the broderie or mesh on top, and the cami underneath means you’re not dealing with any sheerness issues. Pair it with high-waisted tailored pants in a summer-appropriate fabric like linen or cotton.
This works particularly well for occasions where you want to look dressed up without wearing anything complicated. The broderie adds a feminine, textured touch that elevates the whole outfit even though the individual pieces are all pretty simple. I’ve worn this combination to garden parties, work events, and once to a very nice dinner where someone asked if it was a special occasion top — it wasn’t, it was £25 from a high street shop. 🙂
8. Printed Co-ord Set with a Fitted Longline Cardigan
Co-ord sets are genuinely one of the easiest outfits to wear because the matching is already done for you — and layering a longline fine-knit cardigan over the top adds a whole new dimension without breaking the look. Choose a cardigan in one of the tones from your co-ord’s print so it feels intentional rather than thrown on.
The longline length of the cardigan works well here because it adds structure to what can sometimes be a floaty, formless silhouette. I love this combo for transitional summer evenings when the temperature drops a little but you still want to feel summery rather than autumn-ready. Keep your footwear light — barely-there sandals or clean white trainers — to balance the slight layering weight.
9. Straight-Leg Jeans, a Strappy Top, and an Oversized Shacket
A shacket (yes, the shirt-jacket — still very much a thing, FYI) in a lightweight cotton or linen fabric over a strappy top and straight-leg jeans is one of those combinations that looks casual but weirdly put-together at the same time. It’s basically the summer version of the classic jeans-and-jacket combo, just with better fabric choices.
The shacket does all the layering work because it’s structured enough to look like an actual outer layer but light enough to wear all day without overheating. I prefer mine slightly oversized so it drapes rather than clings. You can wear it open, tied at the waist, or half-tucked — all three work brilliantly depending on your proportions and what you want to emphasize.
10. Mini Dress with a Lightweight Duster Coat
A longline duster coat in cotton, linen, or chiffon over a simple mini dress might be the chicest summer layering formula on this whole list. The length contrast between a mini and a floor-grazing duster creates a dramatic silhouette that genuinely looks expensive even when it very much isn’t.
The key to making this work is keeping the mini dress simple — no heavy prints, no fussy details — so the duster becomes the statement piece. A duster in a solid neutral or a subtle stripe works best. I’ve worn this combo on city breaks more times than I can count because the duster doubles as light sun protection during the day and adds a polished layer for evening without needing to pack an extra outfit entirely.
A Few Golden Rules for Summer Layering
Before I let you go, here’s what I’ve learned from years of getting this wrong before getting it right:
- Always go one size up on your top layer. You want drape, not stretch.
- Stick to natural fibres where possible — linen, cotton, chambray, and lightweight silk all breathe properly in heat.
- Keep colours tonal or complementary. Summer layering looks effortless when the palette makes sense.
- Your lightest piece goes on top. A sheer, open, or unstructured outer layer is always going to feel less heavy than a solid closed one.
- Don’t forget proportion. If your bottom half is fitted, let your top layer be loose. If your bottom half is voluminous, balance with something more structured on top.
Summer layering really comes down to one thing: wearing more without feeling like more. When you get your fabrics right and keep your combinations intentional, you’ll actually find yourself reaching for layers even on the hottest days because they do so much for an outfit that a single piece just can’t replicate.
Try one of these combinations this week and I genuinely think you’ll be converted. And if you’re still on the fence, start with the slip dress and linen shirt — it’s the gateway layering look that never fails.