How to put together a wardrobe for cool Baguio or cold Japan

The idea of layering is a concept foreign to many Filipinos. That is, until they go on their first overseas trip and realize how it helps one deal with the sudden drop in temperature. A light jacket is fine for Baguio-like weather but sometimes, only layers can help ward off the chill. In the past, one had to go to different stores or, in a bind, borrow a trench coat, puffer or quilted jacket from someone with a similar build. Accessories like mittens, warm gloves and tightly knitted bonnets were also hard to come by unless one was open to buying from a shop selling overruns or previously owned pieces. The arrival of the Japanese apparel brand Uniqlo in 2012 helped take out the guesswork out of layering. It sold many of the elements needed for a trip to a cold-weather country from thermal underwear and heat-retaining pullovers to down jackets and fleece coats. Now, tech-savvy customers can even put together a virtual wardrobe by clicking on the Uniqlo app (uniqlo.com). By typing in the country they plan to visit and the month they will be there, the app can suggest pieces designed to work together. At the flagship store in Glorietta, there is a...