THE ART OF AUTUMNAL LAYERING FOR WARMTH –
BASELAYERS AND MIDLAYERS EXPLAINED

As our seasonal Outerwear campaign gathers pace, we’re stepping up our efforts to help you elevate your sales, accelerate growth and connect with your customers.

This week, we’re looking at the unsung heroes that are baselayers and midlayers, which are ideal for creating and maintaining warmth as the colder days approach. Whilst a well-made jacket will protect you from the elements, it’s the layers that sit beneath it that can make the difference in terms of how much you suppress the chill factor.

 

 

BASELAYERS – AREN’T THEY JUST FOR
SPORTY TYPES?

There’s a common misconception that baselayers are only worn by those taking part in outdoor pursuits; and whilst they frequently are, they’re also hugely versatile – ideal for wearing in all kinds of environments, both
indoors and out.

Loosely defined as a layer of clothing that’s closest to the skin, designed to keep the wearer warm (or cool, depending on the situation), these garments work by trapping a layer of body heat. Many baselayers are also designed to absorb and remove sweat (known as wicking) to keep the wearer comfortable, thanks to the technical make-up of the fabrics used.

Baselayers are typically available as both tops and bottoms; and despite the description,
they can often be worn either as a system of layers or independently.

 

 

 

HOW BASELAYERS ARE MADE

Most baselayers are made from synthetic fabrics, making them a cost-effective choice – so they’re often lightweight, quick-drying and excellent at trapping moisture. Synthetic baselayers also perform well when muscle compression is needed, which is why compression shorts and vests are often worn under team sportswear by athletes. However, this fabric composition lacks antibacterial qualities, so garments can quickly need washing,
once worn, to avoid unpleasant odours building up.

For a more naturally warming experience, merino wool baselayers regulate the body’s temperature to achieve warmth without overheating.
Small air pockets in the fabric design draw excess heat away from the body whilst retaining heat within the fibres. As a natural fabric, it’s typically more expensive than its synthetic counterpart and garments can take much longer to dry. This means they can be less comfortable to wear during high-impact activity which produces a high level of sweat.

By design, baselayers are designed to keep moisture in, rather than out, and aren’t typically waterproof – so midlayers and outer layers become an essential partner to create a full outfit.

SHOP OUR RANGE OF BASELAYERS HERE

 

 

MIDLAYERS – THE PERFECT PARTNER TO BASELAYERS

Midlayers are familiar to us, as they are designed to provide warmth and insulation. From a comfy hoodie or sweatshirt to fleeces and softshells,
this second layer of clothing helps regulate the body’s temperature as part of a set of layers.

The main role of a midlayer is to keep the wearer warm by helping to trap body heat whilst still being breathable enough to allow moisture to escape. It acts as a protective layer, directing any body heat not captured by the baselayer back into the body, helping to prevent cold air flowing through.

 

 

 

FLEXIBILITY IN GARMENT FORM

The beauty of a midlayer is that it can flex, depending on the job you need it to do.

• Hoodies and fleece are highly versatile in design and thickness – including some with waterproof qualities – making them an ideal option for retaining body heat whilst protecting from the elements.

• Windproof and lightweight jackets, often made from synthetic fabrics, tend to offer a little more protection from bad weather than a fleece. But they aren’t as heavy or structured as a full coat, so can be the perfect option for changeable weather days.

• Insulated jackets and gilets exist to keep the wearer warm, often with waterproof outer fabric and thermal-performance layers to keep out the cold, offering exceptional layering in colder temperatures.

SHOP OUR RANGE OF FLEECE, HOODIES AND JACKETS HERE

 

 

AN EXCELLENT OPTION FOR DECORATION
OR BRANDING

When promoting your brand is important, midlayers and baselayers are a great option to focus on. Often worn in combination with full outerwear, as autumn turns to winter, these layers offer great exposure for a logo that can feature in most shapes and sizes. Whether using the back of a softshell for a full graphic, or a padded gilet for a discreet corporate logo, make the most of autumnal layering. In fact, the decoration possibilities are numerous, including to the chest or arm areas of a garment – so let your creativity and your messaging fly!

 

 

 

 

 

LEVEL UP AND LAYER UP

As the go-to distributor for all of your outerwear requirements, we have the industry’s biggest range of products, including 19 exclusive brands across a range of styles, colours and sizes. Talk to us today about our unmatched selection of outerwear and be ready to freeze out the competition.