The Science of Layering

Layering of clothes maximizes comfort and keep yourself warm outdoor during winter season. With this you can make quick adjustment based on the changes of the weather. 

Layering is not only essential to comfort but a fun way to enjoy fashion during the season as you can mix and match clothes. 

Here is a basic about the concept of layering. It is composed of the base, middle, outer or shell layer.

Your Base Layer: Moisture Management

This is your next-to-skin layer. It helps regulate your body temperature by moving perspiration away from your skin.

Keeping dry helps you maintain a cool body temperature in the summer and avoid hypothermia in the winter. If you've ever worn a cotton T-shirt under your raincoat while you hiked, you probably remember feeling wet and clammy, even though you weren't getting wet from the rain itself. Cotton is a fabric that retains perspiration and can leave you chilled.

For outdoor comfort, your base layer should be made of merino wool(popularized by brands such as SmartWool, Ibex and Icebreaker), synthetic fabrics (polyesters such as Polartec Power Dry® or Patagonia Capilene®) or, for less-active uses, silk. Rather than absorbing moisture, these fabrics transport (or "wick") perspiration away from your skin, dispersing it on the outer surface where it can evaporate. The result: You stay drier even when you sweat, and your shirt dries faster afterwards.

Examples: A base layer can be anything from briefs and sports bras to long underwear sets (tops and bottoms) to tights and T-shirts. It can be designed to fit snugly or loosely. For cool conditions, thermal underwear is available in light-, mid- and expedition-weights. Choose the weight that best matches your activity and the temperature.

Your Middle Layer: Insulation

The insulating layer helps you retain heat by trapping air close to your body.

Natural fibers such as wool and goose down are excellent insulators. Merino wool sweaters and shirts offer soft, reliable warmth and keep on insulating even when wet. For very cold and dry conditions, goose down is best. It offers an unbeatable warmth-to-weight ratio and is highly compressible. Down's main drawback is that it must be kept dry to maintain its insulating ability. A new innovation—water-resistant down—promises to change this.

Classic fleece such as Polartec® 100, 200 or Thermal Pro polyester and other synthetics such as Thinsulate® provide warmth for a variety of conditions. They're lightweight, breathable and insulate even when wet. They also dry faster and have a higher warmth-to-weight ratio than even wool. Classic fleece's main drawbacks are wind permeability and bulk (it's less compressible than other fabrics).

Like thermal underwear, fleece tops are available in 3 weights:

• Lightweight for aerobic activity or mild climates.
• Midweight for moderate activity or climates.
• Expedition-weight for low activity or cold climates.

Examples: For high-energy activities such as cross-country skiing, cycling or running, choose lightweight fleece (Polartec 100 or Power Dry) to avoid overheating. For cold conditions, try thicker fleece such as Polartec 200 or 300.

Wind fleece such as Polartec WindPro® polyester or Gore WindStopper® adds a high level of wind resistance to fleece. How? It uses a hidden membrane that does not affect breathability.

Your Shell Layer: Weather Protection

The shell or outer layer protects you from wind, rain or snow. Shells range from pricey mountaineering jackets to simple windproof jackets. Most allow at least some perspiration to escape; virtually all are treated with a durable water repellent (DWR) finish to make water bead up and roll off the fabric.

An outer shell is an important piece in bad weather, because if wind and water are allowed to penetrate to your inner layers, you begin to feel cold. Furthermore, without proper ventilation, perspiration can't evaporate but instead condenses on the inside of your shell.

Fit is another consideration. Your shell layer should be roomy enough to fit easily over other layers and not restrict your movement.

Shells can be lumped into the following categories:

Waterproof/breathable shells: The most functional (and expensive) choices, these are best for wet, cool conditions and alpine activities. Shells using laminated membranes such as Gore-Tex and eVent offer top performance; those using fabric coatings are a more economical alternative. Shells are categorized by REI as either rainwear, which emphasizes low weight and packability, or mountaineering wear, which is more abrasion-resistant and has additional features.

Water-resistant/breathable shells: These are best for light precipitation and high activity levels. Less expensive than waterproof/breathable shells, they're usually made of tightly woven fabrics (such as mini-ripstop nylon) to block wind and light rain.

Soft shells: These emphasize breathability. Most feature stretch fabric or fabric panels for added comfort during aerobic activities. Many offer both shell and insulative properties, so they in effect combine 2 layers into 1. Soft shells include cold- and mild-weather options.

Waterproof/non-breathable shells: These economical shells are ideal for rainy days with light activity (e.g., fishing, sports viewing). They are typically made of a sturdy, polyurethane-coated nylon which is water- and windproof.

Insulated shells: Some outer shells have a layer of insulation built in—such as fleece—making them convenient for cold, wet conditions, but not as versatile for layering in fluctuating temperatures.

source: http://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/layering-basics.html

 Choice of material or clothes of course still depends on the weather of where you from. In the kingdom where the coldness could be tolerable, your choice of layers might be like mine below and you may want to add a scarf for more comfort and style.

Have fun layering guys!

Beso! 

In the Mood For A Hood

The weather is so good nowadays in the Kingdom that you can't miss a beautiful morning to enjoy  the early breeze and sunshine outside which is exactly what I did last weekend in Corniche. 

For a long walk on that day, I decided to throw myself in the following:

Hooded Jacket: Zara, Corniche, Al Khobar, KSA

Net Sweatshirt: Bossini, Corniche, Al Khobar, KSA

As I looked myself at the mirror, I knew something was missing. A bold statement necklace to amplify my look. You've got to look chic anytime and anywhere girl!

A different look when the hooded jacket is off. Besides, its easy to cool down when you're already feeling the heat from any activity.

I hope you like it guys!

Beso! 

These Boots Are Made For Walking At Al Gosaibi Village

Sorry guys! As you may have noticed I've been away for a long time as I've been busy renovating my look as my brother's exact word was hehe!  I am back and never been more excited to share my fashion interests as well as share my favorite hang-outs in the Eastern Region.

Its a great weather this weekend and with my new pair of boots on my rack, I couldn't wait to have them walked on to one of my favorite places, Al Gosaibi Village where coffee shops, restaurants and high end shops are housed in altogether.

Al Gosaibi Village

Winter in the kingdom is unique in such a way that elements like the coldness, wind and dust all come together which brings us the challenge of choosing the right gears in order to look comfortable and stylish at the same time.

My eyes have been paying attention to hoodies which have evolved into many different styles. Zara,  particularly have turned the hoodie into a modern fashion staple for menswear and its a must have. Take a look at some below:

A little history of the hoodie:

The garment's style and form can be traced back to Medieval Europe when the normal clothing for monks included a long, decorative hood called a cowl attached to a tunic or robes, and a chaperon or hooded cape was very commonly worn by any outdoors worker. The hooded sweatshirt was first produced in the United States starting in the 1930s. The modern clothing style was first produced by Champion in the 1930s and marketed to laborers working who endured freezing temperatures while working in upstate New York. The term hoodie entered popular usage in the 1990s.

The hoodie took off in the 1970s, with several factors contributing to its success. Hip hop culture developed in New York City around this time, and the hoodie's element of instant anonymity, provided by the accessible hood, appealed to those with criminal intent. High fashion also contributed during this era, as Norma Kamali and other high-profile designers embraced and glamorized the new clothing. Most critical to the hoodie's popularity during this time was its iconic appearance in the blockbuster Rocky film.

By the 1990s, the hoodie had evolved into a symbol of isolation, a statement of academic spirit, and several fashion collections. The association with chavs or neds in the UK developed around this time, as their popularity rose with that specific demographic. Young men, often skateboarders or surfers, sported the hoodie and spread the trend across the western United States, most significantly in California. The rise of hoodies with university logos began around this time.Tommy Hilfiger, Giorgio Armani, and Ralph Lauren, for example, used the hoodie as the primary component for many of their collections in the 1990s. A crystal-studded hoodie made by rapper Sean "Diddy" Combs was acquired by the Victoria & Albert Museum in London.

The look:

Jacket: Zara, Corniche, Khobar

Boots: Zara, Corniche, Khobar
Scarf: Redtag, Corniche, Khobar
Watch: Citizen, Rahmaniya, Khobar

Hope you like it guys! 

Beso!