I’m not talking about cake Ladies and Gentlemen! Although, now that you mention it….

But seriously, one of the best and most cost-effective ways to enhance an outfit is to layer with items already in your closet. And I don’t just mean adding layers upon layers of clothing, although that is one way to get the effect.

Layering can be done in the most simplified ways through jewelry and, more subtly, through mixing different styles in one ensemble.

What exactly do I mean by this? Let’s look at some examples brought to you by two of my favorite fashionistas out there; Blair Eadie, fashion buyer and blogger (atlantic-pacific.com), and Karla Deras, blogger (karlascloset.com).

Blair has an exceptional talent for layering. She mixes patterns and textures to create a fashion feast for the eyes! Each outfit has a very unique look and feel. Notice that even when she integrates the same pieces into different outfits they have a completely new effect.

Karla is a great example of layering multiple styles into one outfit. She has an eye for the perfect balance of masculine and feminine.

Some things to keep in mind when layering:

1. Stick with one show stopping item and keep the other pieces relatively simple.

2. Clean lines and like colors will keep your outfit from becoming too overwhelming.

3. It helps to have at least one figure-hugging item, whether it be a tight skirt like Karla or a belted waist like Blair. You don’t want to be drowning in your layers!

4.  Be confident! Confidence can take an outfit from “What was she thinking?” to “She must know something I don’t.”