This winter in Cape Town has been a blessing. We have had maybe 20 days of rain and the rest of the time it has been blissfully sunny and bright, with clear skies, no wind and temperatures more akin to a northern hemisphere summer than a Cape winter. But with this weather windfall, we have also had the small problem of what to wear.

I mean, it is a wee bit icy in the mornings, but for the rest of the day it is generally warm — and that means that the coat you put on as you set out for the day has become nothing more that a dead weight to carry around by noon. And so we really need to learn some new dressing skills — the most significant of which is how to layer effectively.

You will have read about layering in every magazine and fashion article for the past 18 months. I have mentioned it many times and am adamant that it is the only way to get the most value from your basics wardrobe.

But has anyone explained to you what this means — what differentiates fashion layering from just putting a bunch of clothes on top of each other and landing up looking a bit like Helena Bonham Carter on a good day?

Well, here are the three fundamentals of layering — more specifically, how to do it so that your winter wardrobe doesn't smother you on these glorious sunny days.

1. Out with tights, in with leggings

I am pleased to tell you that leggings have transformed from fashion foibles into modern-day classics in the past year. This means that every wardrobe should have them — and you can start mixing them up a bit, introducing colour, shine and a bit of ankle detail like the stirrup or the ruche.

On a warm day in winter, the cotton fabric of the legging will keep you toasty in the morning, but breathe and maintain your cool as the temperature of the day rises.

With your feet on show, you can choose your shoes to suit the day and your outfit rather than just for warmth, and your hemline can be as high or low as you like, as you have adequate coverage for your legs.

Layering the legging under dresses, skirts, tunic tops or even one over another (like lace leggings over cotton leggings) is a basic lesson and will transport you through around nine months of the year without too much of a problem.

Last year's fashion leg covering — the opaque tights — is still a popular choice, but for the warmer days of winter, they have become too much of a good thing and the legging is a much more appropriate choice.

2. The can-do cardigan

The old way to do layering is to stick a long sleeve, neutral colour t-shirt underneath all your summer items, and voila, you are good to go. However, in the situation where you are cold in the morning and hot in the afternoon, you can't be running back and forth to the bathroom to strip off. Behold, the cardigan.

Michelle Obama has made the cardigan a hot fashion item once more and, no matter what your style — edgy vintage queen all the way through to preppy pastel popster — you will be able to find a selection of cardigans that will work for you.

In the morning, you layer your cardigan over your chosen outfit. Make sure you have short sleeves underneath it, in the spirit of the classic twinset, but without bothering about the twin-ish-ness. As the day warms up, cunningly remove the cardigan, roll it up and pop it into your handbag, and there you are — weather-appropriate and fresh and cool in the heat.

As the day draws to a close and you are enjoying a glass of something cheeky after work, simply pull out the faithful cardigan and place it back on over your outfit, effecting the smoothest transition between winter and summer yet.

3. The scarf

The final lesson in winter-to-summer layering is the critical inclusion of the small item known as the scarf. If you have one in your handbag, you will always be prepared for a chill. It is a philosophy that I have lived by for some years now and can vouch for the smugness that pervades when everyone else is shivering after a day in the sun and you remove your scarf and wind it around your neck and shoulders with languid aplomb — like a fashion Girl Guide who is always prepared.

The scarf is definitely having a fashion moment right now. You have choices that range from chunky woolly knits through to the most exquisitely refined silk wisps.

Any of these will do, depending on your outfit, your personal style and the finesse you use in tying it. Practice tying them at home and when you are getting ready in the morning, and raid your mother or grandmother's wardrobe for beautiful vintage versions.

A scarf can lift an ordinary outfit, add warmth for winter mornings and evenings and ensure you look cool. Who knew all this came in such a small and affordable package?

For more information on Robyn and photos of other successful layering techniques, go to: http://styleguidecapetown.blogspot.com