5 Things to Know for Dressing in Cold Weather

This publication is also available in: Français English (UK) Deutsch Italiano Español

You must have noticed it.

For the past few days, the thermometer has been displaying temperatures close to 0. In the middle of January, there’s nothing more normal than putting on your favorite puffer jacket or a pair of gloves to face the winter chill. However, when it comes to style and negative temperatures, one immediately feels less comfortable. 

Because the common belief is this: in winter, it’s difficult to be stylish while staying warm. 

In this article, I will prove you wrong by sharing 5 tips on how to dress for cold weather. Out with 90s-style winter sports looks for the office in -2 degrees; you will see that with a bit of cleverness, seasonal pieces, and a few style principles, you can be trendy even when the climate is icy!

1/ Wear seasonal pieces to face the cold in winter 

This advice may seem obvious, but it’s worth reminding. In winter, to protect yourself from the cold and even the biting wind, you should dress in clothes suitable for the season. 

Because it’s not uncommon to see girls in heels and skirts on January 15, under the pretext of not neglecting their style. Yet, you can be elegant and look well-dressed without compromising on essential criteria for the season: comfort and warmth.

To achieve this, choose clothes that are appropriate for the climatic conditions. Here’s a small selection: 

• Coats: winter coats in wool, goose down, faux fur, leather, suede, knitwear, etc. Puffer jackets, long belted coats, faux furs, etc.
• Jumpers and cardigans: wool, cashmere, knit, fleece jumpers, and wool or down vests, as well as turtlenecks, another star of the season.
• Trousers: wool, cotton canvas, velvet, leather, suede, flannel trousers, etc.
• Shirts and blouses: flannel, wool, cotton, silk shirts, lace or satin blouses.
• Accessories: scarves, gloves, beanies, mittens, wool socks, etc.
• Underwear: wool, cotton, silk underwear, thermal underwear.

You will notice that what is important when choosing clothing is its material. To protect yourself from the cold, opt for materials known to be protective and insulating. Cashmere, wool, viscose, velvet, and silk are good choices. They will keep you warm while preventing you from sweating.

2/ Dare to layer for dressing in cold weather

Having become trendy in recent seasons, layering is ideal for combining style and comfort in winter. But before I present the advantages of this practice, let me remind you of its principle. 

Layering is a fashion technique that involves stacking clothes to create an outfit. It is often used to add warmth in winter or to create more elaborate looks. Layering typically consists of several layers of clothing, from the layer closest to the body to the outermost layer. Each layer has a specific purpose, such as protecting from the cold, adding warmth, or bringing a touch of style to the outfit. 

It is an effective technique for creating multiple outfits with few clothes and adapting to temperature variations.

And for the past few years, it’s a practice that is increasingly seen on the streets, as well as on runways. Here are its main advantages: 

• It allows for more elaborate looks: by layering clothes of different textures, colors, and cuts, you can create more interesting and original outfits.
• It is practical for adapting to temperature variations: layering allows you to protect yourself from the cold or cool off easily by removing or adding layers as needed.
• It maximizes existing clothes: by layering, you can give a second life to pieces that are no longer worn alone and create new combinations with your existing clothes.
• It allows you to be fashionable while being practical: layering is both a fashion trend and a practical technique for adapting to temperature variations.

3/ Be stylish in winter: choose fashion accessories to elevate your look

As mentioned in a previous article, accessorizing an outfit is the best way to add depth and life to your look. 

Accessories are relatively easy to wear compared to clothes that can sometimes be more challenging to style. They offer endless style combinations. And they are a clever, sometimes economical way to add personality to an outfit. While clothes form the base, accessories are the details that make the difference.

And in the case of a winter outfit, they can truly bring that little sparkle that will elevate your look to the next level. 

So, here are some fashion accessory examples to wear to dress for cold weather while staying stylish. 

• Scarves: they are a winter must-have. To be ultra-trendy, opt for an oversized model that you wear effortlessly over your shoulder. But don’t just stick to trends, as there are other ways to wear a scarf beautifully. Otherwise, wool, cashmere, or even silk scarves are excellent options to stay warm while maintaining a certain elegance.
• Gloves: choose them in leather, suede, or wool. 
• Beanies: wool, cashmere, or faux fur beanies are an essential fashion accessory to protect your ears and head from the cold. But you can also indulge in rising trends like the newsboy cap, beret, or even the balaclava!
• Socks: we sometimes tend to forget them, yet socks are essential for adding style to a winter outfit. Wear them with heels, in wool or cashmere, in sportswear style, colorful, printed… In short, when it comes to socks, there’s something for everyone.

4/ Wear knee-high or thigh-high boots to protect against the cold

When it comes to footwear, while moon boots are making a comeback, there’s another type of shoe that deserves just as much attention. That’s thigh-high boots. Much more elegant and sophisticated than après-ski shoes, thigh-high or knee-high boots are your allies to face the winter cold while looking well-dressed. 

They are an excellent choice for winter. Here are several reasons: 

• They protect the legs from the cold: thigh-high boots cover the legs completely, protecting the calves and knees from the cold.
• They are often made with warm materials: thigh-high boots are often made from warm materials like leather, faux fur, and wool, which add even more warmth to the legs.
• They are versatile: thigh-highs can be worn with different types of clothing, such as skirts, dresses, trousers, leggings, etc. They allow for a variety of outfits suited to the temperatures.
• They are trendy: thigh-high boots have been a fashion must-have for several seasons and continue to be trendy in winter.

Moreover, thigh-highs come in various styles. You can find them with high heels, as well as with flat or pointed heels. Patent, leather, suede, or synthetic. Monochrome or patterned. This allows for creating outfits that are both sophisticated or more casual. 

5/ Choose vibrant colors to combat winter dreariness

If there’s one piece of advice that can be given to bring style to your winter outfit, it’s to bet on color. Often, during the cold months of the year, we tend to put our wardrobe in hibernation mode. The vibrancy and vitamin shades give way to cold and neutral colors like beige, gray, black, or brown. 

Yet, there is no rule prohibiting wearing colors in winter. On the contrary, it’s quite a clever trick to brighten up your outfit and add warmth to your wardrobe. 

Here are the other benefits you will find from wearing color in winter: 

• It allows you to stand out: bright, vibrant colors can help you stand out from the dark and dull colors usually associated with winter.

• You feel good wearing color: bright colors can help improve mood and make you feel more energetic, especially when the days are short and gray.

• You will add originality to your outfits: vibrant colors can help create unique outfits and step outside the usual paths. You can also pair them with more neutral colors for a more subtle look.

By applying these 5 tips, you should now know how to dress for cold weather without neglecting your style or your legendary elegance. And I hope to have convinced you that comfort can rhyme with a trendy and chic look. Because wearing a puffer jacket and a pair of gloves has never stopped anyone from feeling beautiful!

Image credit: © Sandra Semburg

• It’s a way to have fun with your wardrobe: wearing vibrant colors in winter allows you to enjoy your wardrobe and change up your usual outfits.

By applying these 5 tips, you should now know how to dress for cold weather without neglecting your style or your legendary elegance. And I hope to have convinced you that comfort can rhyme with a trendy and chic look. Because wearing a puffer jacket and a pair of gloves has never stopped anyone from feeling beautiful!

Image credit: © Sandra Semburg

• It’s a way to have fun with your wardrobe: wearing vibrant colors in winter allows you to enjoy your wardrobe and change up your usual outfits.

By applying these 5 tips, you should now know how to dress for cold weather without neglecting your style or your legendary elegance. And I hope to have convinced you that comfort can rhyme with a trendy and chic look. Because wearing a puffer jacket and a pair of gloves has never stopped anyone from feeling beautiful!

Image credit: © Sandra Semburg

• It adds visual warmth: bright colors can provide visual warmth and help create cozy outfits that give the impression of warmth even in cold weather.

• It’s a way to have fun with your wardrobe: wearing vibrant colors in winter allows you to enjoy your wardrobe and change up your usual outfits.

By applying these 5 tips, you should now know how to dress for cold weather without neglecting your style or your legendary elegance. And I hope to have convinced you that comfort can rhyme with a trendy and chic look. Because wearing a puffer jacket and a pair of gloves has never stopped anyone from feeling beautiful!

Image credit: © Sandra Semburg