Layered clothing refers to wearing multiple garments on top of each other, especially in cold climates. In hot and dry regions, the functional benefits of clothes include air circulation and the blocking of sun’s harmful ultra-violet (UV) radiations. Layered clothing mentioned here are suitable for cold climates only.

Understanding Layers
When layering your clothes, you must know the functional difference between each clothing item so as to make the most of it. You can layer your clothes according to your needs in order to stay warm and comfortable outdoors in cold weather. Taking off a layer may increase your flexibility. Sometimes two thin layers can be lighter and warmer than a single thick layer as thermal insulation is provided by the air trapped between two layers.

In cold climates, layered clothing is essential for transferring moisture, protecting from rain and wind, and providing you with the required level of warmth. Outdoor clothing manufacturers promote layered clothing as you can easily customise them as per your requirements. Advanced synthetic materials are typically used for manufacturing layered clothes, which makes them quite expensive.

The Three Layers
Wearing outdoor clothes in three layers is very common. The first layer is known as the inner layer or the base layer and is necessary for keeping your skin dry if you sweat. The middle layer is also called the insulating layer as it keeps you warm in cold weather. The outer layer or the shell layer protects your first two layers. Two adjacent layers can be combined to increase your level of comfort. For instance, warm undergarments provide insulation as well as comfort.