You know that moment when the weather is all over the place—one second it’s chilly, the next it’s warm, and you’re left wondering, “What am I supposed to wear?” I keep telling you—layers!

Previously, here on LittlePinkTop, I featured how Ashley Olsen is mastering layers. Today, let’s learn styling hacks from Alina Baikova, a Ukrainian supermodel who walked for every major fashion house you can name (think Hermès, Dior, and Dolce & Gabbana). While her 3.8 million Instagram followers might come for the glamour, they stay for her authenticity and courage.

Remember that viral moment at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival when Alina turned the red carpet into a protest runway with her blue-and-yellow statement dress with the inscription F*CK YOU PUTIN? That’s Alina – serving looks while serving the truth.

While that bold red carpet moment made headlines, it’s Alina’s everyday style that really catches my eye. Take her recent Pinko campaign, where Alina looked totally cool. I mean, cool like in awesome, not colddddd. It’s because mixing preppy tailoring with laid-back, cozy knits resulted in what could be called “preppy-meets-cozy-chic,” which is precisely what I’d wear through fall.  

Alina chose a cream-colored cashmere turtleneck sweater with one open shoulder. It’s cozy yet provides a sexy flash of skin. She paired it with a pleated mini skirt in a soft, neutral camel brown—think “Clueless” but out of high school. The model casually draped an oversized camel blazer over her shoulder. It matched the skirt and created a monochrome outfit. 

But not to look too boring, she picked accessories that would stand out—a sleek black crossbody Pinko bag and a pair of black combat boots to cohere with the bag. This outfit might seem understated, but contrasting textures and colors resulted in a sophisticated outfit without being stuffy. 

Personally, I love this look because it’s both soft like that cashmere and yet somewhat edgy thanks to the boots. The oversized sweater softens the prep school vibe of the pleated skirt, while the blazer keeps it from sliding into pure loungewear territory. So, what else makes this styling work so well? Let’s break it down! 

Play with Proportions:

This look is all about balanced layering. The soft, slightly oversized sweater paired with a short, structured mini skirt creates a cool play on proportions. Don’t be afraid to mix a slouchy knit with a more structured bottom—it keeps things interesting.

Stick to Neutrals for a Polished Look:

Notice the simplicity of the color palette—cream and camel! Monochrome looks in neutral shades are a timeless hack for looking polished without the extra effort. Plus, they’re incredibly easy to mix and match with your existing wardrobe. You could swap the mini skirt for high-waisted pants or switch out the cream sweater for a white blouse and still keep that chic vibe.

Add Subtle Skin Exposure for Balance: 

The open-shoulder sweater creates a flirty vibe. A little bit of shoulder goes a long way in elevating an otherwise cozy knit to something stylishly unexpected. 

Blazer Layering is Key: 

Draping a blazer over your shoulders is one of the easiest ways to look effortlessly chic, nonchalant, and confident. Plus, it’s practical for those days when you can’t quite predict the weather.

Pro tip: Always have one structured bag at your disposal. It works wonders to sharpen up slouchy knits and casual fits.

The mini skirt already shows enough skin, so I would avoid pairing it with a crop top. It might also be provocative, so fishnet tights wouldn’t be my first choice either.  

Fashion Picks 

Here are some items from LittlePinkTop’s affiliate partners that you could throw together to channel the same vibe:

Sweater: MAJORELLE, Skirt: BY.DYLN, Blazer: 1. STATE, Combat boots: Sam Edelman, Shoulder Bag: Kate Spade New York.

Let me break this down one last time – because once you master this formula, getting dressed becomes infinitely easier. Alina’s layering technique is brilliant because it works for practically every occasion in your busy life. Quick note on what to skip though: pairing the mini with a crop top or fishnets shifts the look from sophisticated to something better suited for late nights out. Instead, here’s your foolproof strategy: Start with that investment-worthy cashmere piece (the one you’ll reach for again and again), add structure with a well-cut blazer, play with proportions to keep things interesting, stick to those timeless neutrals. You could always finish the look with something more edgy like combat boots. What I love most about this approach is how it transitions seamlessly from morning to evening without missing a beat. It’s polish without trying too hard, which is exactly what we’re after, right?