If you love clothing that feels expressive, comfortable, and uniquely your own, Lagenlook might already be your secret style language - even if you’ve never heard the name. With its relaxed silhouettes, artful layering, and playful mix of proportions, Lagenlook is all about dressing with creativity and confidence. At Kit and Kaboodal, it’s a style we’ve championed for years, not only because it flatters every shape, but because it gives women the freedom to dress for joy, movement, and ease.

Whether you’re new to the aesthetic or looking to deepen your wardrobe, this complete guide will walk you through the origins of Lagenlook, the classic silhouettes that define it, and how layering brings the whole look to life. We’ll also explore how pieces from our current ranges fit effortlessly into this expressive way of dressing.

The Origins of Lagenlook

The word Lagenlook comes from German and literally translates to “layered look”. The style emerged in Europe as a response to more structured, conventional dressing, offering an alternative that prioritised comfort, individuality, and a more artisanal approach to fashion. Designers across Germany, Italy, and Scandinavia made the aesthetic their own, blending draping shapes with raw hems, natural fibres, and oversized proportions.

By the 1990s, Lagenlook had become a recognisable movement within European fashion, embraced by women who wanted something more expressive than traditional tailoring but more refined than casualwear. Its appeal has only grown, especially as modern wardrobes shift toward ease, versatility, and slow-fashion sensibilities. Today, Lagenlook feels more relevant than ever - celebrating shape, texture, and your own personal way of wearing clothes.

The Key Silhouettes of Lagenlook

At the heart of Lagenlook is the silhouette: soft, flowing, and rarely symmetrical. Instead of relying on fitted shapes or body-con styles, Lagenlook uses volume, tapering, and layering to create form. It’s particularly flattering for women who want stylish pieces that don’t cling, but still offer shape and movement.

1. The Oversized Top

Loose tops form the foundation of many Lagenlook outfits. Think:

• Swing tops
• Tunic-length shirts
• Boxy knitwear
• Soft jersey basics with draping

The beauty of an oversized top is in how it balances other layers - it allows room for movement while creating a relaxed, effortless shape.

In our current ranges, you’ll find favourites like oversized linen tunics and batwing knitwear that deliver instant Lagenlook energy.

2. Relaxed Trousers

Instead of skinny fits, Lagenlook bottoms tend to be:

• Harem trousers
• Balloon-leg trousers
• Cropped wide-leg styles
• Soft jersey joggers

These shapes counterbalance oversized tops with ease and are especially comfortable for everyday wear. The trick is choosing trousers that create structure without feeling restrictive.

3. Layering Dresses

Lagenlook dresses often feature asymmetric hems, panelled shapes, gathered fabrics or A-line cuts. They create a natural focal point and are perfect for building layers above and below.

For example:

• A linen dress layered over a long-sleeve top
• A sleeveless dress paired with a statement knit
• A relaxed tiered dress worn with cropped trousers underneath

Our linen dresses are ideal here - they’re breathable, timeless, and designed with movement in mind.

4. Outer Layers With Personality

The finishing layers really define the silhouette:

• Longline cardigans
• Boxy jackets
• Waterfall layers
• Gilets with texture
• Soft, blanket-style scarves

These pieces add structure and dimension. They’re also wonderful for creating tone-on-tone looks or playing with contrast.

How Layering Creates Movement

The magic of Lagenlook is in the way the layers interact with each other. Each piece is chosen to enhance flow, balance volume, and build interest.

Movement Through Fabric

Different fabrics drape in different ways:

• Linen offers relaxed structure and natural texture.
• Jersey gives softness and stretch, ideal for base layers.
• Knitwear adds depth and warmth while softening sharper lines.
• Cotton poplin creates crisp, lightweight layers perfect for transitional seasons.

Blending these textures is quintessential Lagenlook styling. A linen tunic over a jersey vest with knitwear draped on top creates a three-dimensional look that shifts beautifully as you move.

Movement Through Length

Length variation is one of the style’s most recognisable features. You might pair:

• A longline cardigan over a mid-length tunic
• A cropped knit over a flowing dress
• A trailing scarf over a structured jacket

The layers work together to draw the eye up and down, creating a look that feels dynamic rather than flat.

Movement Through Proportion

Lagenlook plays with proportions in a way that feels freeing - not restrictive. Oversized tops with tapered trousers, or fitted sleeves under voluminous dresses, create balance and shape without clinging to the body. This interplay is what gives Lagenlook its iconic silhouette - soft, sculptural, and expressive.

Building a Lagenlook Outfit Using Current Kit and Kaboodal Pieces

To make the style feel more tangible, here are a few complete outfit formulas featuring pieces similar to those in our latest collection.

The Everyday Linen Layer

• Linen tunic in a neutral shade
• Jersey long-sleeve top underneath
• Balloon-leg trousers for comfort
• Lightweight scarf to tie colours together
• Suede boots for grounding the look

This outfit is breathable, comfortable, and flattering on every body shape.

The Cosy Winter Layering Set

• Sleeveless dress in cotton or linen
• Oversized knit jumper layered on top
• Thick leggings or tapered trousers
• Slouchy boots
• Longline cardigan for warmth and depth

Perfect for winter days and ideal for creating movement through contrasting textures.

The Artistic Statement Look

• Asymmetric linen dress
• Wide-leg cropped trousers underneath
• Textured gilet or longline jacket
• Statement necklace
• Soft scarf wrapped loosely

This combination embraces the creative, European roots of Lagenlook - relaxed yet expressive.

Why Lagenlook Works for Every Woman

Lagenlook is one of the most inclusive styles around. It celebrates shape rather than disguising it, embraces comfort without losing elegance, and invites creativity rather than following a rigid formula. Whether you prefer neutral tones or bold prints, structured linen or soft jersey, there’s space to make the style entirely your own.

Lagenlook isn’t just a trend - it’s a way of dressing that puts ease, comfort, and individuality at the forefront. It allows you to build outfits that move with you, that feel expressive yet effortless, and that fit beautifully into everyday life.

We’re proud to champion this style through carefully curated collections designed to flatter, simplify dressing, and inspire confidence. Whether you’re building your first layered outfit or expanding a well-loved wardrobe, Lagenlook offers endless opportunities to play, personalise, and enjoy the art of layering.