Winter dressing can be tricky: It’s cold, there’s likely some form of precipitation falling from the sky, and chances are the wind chill makes it even colder; hence your outfit needs to have serious protective elements. However, you still want to look put-together — especially for all those holiday parties — as opposed to bundled up, a la Randy in “A Christmas Story” who can’t put his arms down. And, if you’re like me, you’ll want to get at least some wear out of your medium-warm outerwear. Fortunately, there is a clever trick to get the most out of your winter wardrobe by layering jackets.

Most people think one coat or jacket suffices during the colder months. But, by layering mid-to-light-weight jackets here at the start of winter, you’ll be a bit more stylish this holiday season and will manage to stay toasty, while also saving your big puffer down coat for the truly cold days of the New Year. Of course, not all coats and jackets are designed to be worn on top of each other. Layering them correctly is considered, by some, to be a very delicate art form that requires both style and strategy. Here are some of my favorite coat combos to help you navigate this outfitting trick.

Denim jackets can be layered with a variety of secondary outerwear. I recommend both an oversized jean jacket and a more fitted version to pair with everything from trench coats to midi-length cardigans. You can don a boxier denim jacket over a pullover fleece for the weekend. For evening, consider a cropped leather jacket underneath your oversized jean jacket. A more fitted version goes great under a blazer or more formal outerwear like a camel topcoat. For a two-in-one, consider a shearling-lined jean jacket that will bring additional texture into your look while also keeping you warm.

A beige trench coat is a wardrobe staple. It’s a true classic, intended to pair well with just about everything. As winter starts to unfold, try layering your standard trench over a hoodie for running errands, then swap out the sweatshirt for a plaid puffy vest or gilet for your evening holiday shindig. Of course, you can’t go wrong with a trench for your work-wear, as it will provide a protecting layer over blazers and chunky cardigans. The best trench coats for layering are Macintosh styles with point collars and clean button fronts, as opposed to the double-breasted notch collar variety. Leave your London Fog trench to wear solo for the fall and spring.

When the days are just starting to be chilly, but you’re still able to get outside, a wool shirt jacket is the perfect outerwear for weekend hikes. Buffalo plaid jac shirts can also look great for that trip to the Christmas tree farm paired over a sleek black activewear zip-up with thumbholes and black jeans. For an unexpected look, layer a knit midi-dress under your slimmer fit shirt jacket, don a denim vest, then complete your look with water-resistant boots for these first few snowfalls. There’s just something about pairing dresses with more rugged pieces that feels low-key chic.

For party looks, try a teddy-style coat over a festive velvet blazer, cocktail dress, and some heeled loafers. If you’re not so much into Sherpa fleece, try a toggle-style coat worn with a utility jacket and a graphic wrap dress with metallic ankle boots. If you want to bring a bit more drama to your holiday gathering, consider a caplet over a motorcycle jacket and vibrant red pants.

When it comes to layering jackets, it’s about finding the balance between oversized and fitted pieces with necklines and closures that don’t compete against each other. Once you have the right garments, you can mix and match to come up with new combinations for all of your festive activities as winter rolls in.