One layer more or one layer less
Short answer: Take one more layer than you think you need, as long as it can come off. A layer you can take off is always better than one you are missing. That matters most on days when the temperature shifts between morning, midday and evening.
Why an extra layer
The temperature changes several times a day, outside and inside. Come in from a cold bike ride to a warm office and back out again, and what you need shifts quickly. A layer you can remove gives you two options, while a layer you left at home gives you none.
Which layer to bring
Choose a thin middle layer rather than a thick outer one. The thin layer works alone on mild parts of the day and together with other clothes when it turns colder. A thick layer is hard to use halfway, since you either wear it or carry it around. See bamboo sweatshirt for men.
Where the layer goes
Keep it in your bag or tied around your waist, so you do not have to wear it all day. A thin layer that can be rolled up takes almost no space and is easy to bring along. If you have a bag you use daily, the layer can simply stay in it. See bamboo t-shirts for men and bamboo clothing for women.
Thin layers over thick ones
Two thin layers are usually better than one thick, because they can be adjusted. You can take the outer one off when you come indoors and put it back on when you go out. The air between the layers also insulates, so you do not need a heavy garment to stay warm in the cold.
Before you start to sweat
Take the layer off before you get warm, not afterwards. Once you have sweated, the fabric turns damp, and damp fabric against the skin feels cold when you stop. Warmth at the back of the neck is a good sign the layer should come off. Taking a layer off is easier than drying one.
When the layer takes up too much room
If the layer takes up too much room, choose a thinner one. A thin garment can be rolled up and put in the bag without using much space. Try packing it at home before you leave, so you know it works. A layer you cannot bring along does not solve the changing temperature of the day.
The innermost layer counts too
The layer closest to your skin has a big effect on how everything else feels. A soft, breathable base layer makes it easier to add or remove a layer without getting clammy or cold. Choose a simple t-shirt you can wear all day without thinking about it.
What to do when in doubt
If you are unsure about the weather, dress for the coldest part of the day and take a layer off when it gets warm. That works in both directions. If you wear too little, there is nothing you can do until you are back home, and that is rarely pleasant.
Making it work every day
Make it a habit to bring an extra layer when you leave the house. After a few weeks you stop thinking about it. You will not use it every day, but on the days you need it, you will be glad to have it. It is a small precaution for an easier day.
Frequently asked questions
Are two thin layers better than one thick?
Usually, yes. They can be adjusted during the day, and the air between them insulates. With one thick layer you only have two options, on or off, and that rarely suffices on a day with changing temperatures.
What if the layer takes up too much room?
Choose a thinner layer that can be rolled up in the bag. Try packing it before you leave, so you know it fits and that you actually have it with you when you need it.
When should the layer come off?
Before you start to sweat, not after. If you feel warmth at the back of the neck, it is time. Damp fabric against the skin cools you when you stop, so taking a layer off is easier than drying it.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
