Style or comfort – this might be your everyday dilemma as the mercury drops. However, if you live in some place where the temperature stays minus 25°C, five days a week, looking good while fighting off cold may not be your priority. One of the most crucial parts of staying warm and looking chic in winter is to master the art of layering up. If you think putting away your trendy summer outfits might put a stop to your styling in winter, you are wrong. Winter styling is fun if you can find the balance between being practical and looking good.
If you want to know how to avoid looking like a frumpy bundle of coats, hats, and scarves this winter, read on to learn some winter styling hacks.
Choose the Right Jacket
Selecting the right winter jacket is vital as it is the first layer of protection against winter. The types of jackets you need depend on the amount of cold you will face in your area. If you expect a wet, snowy winter in your area, make sure you choose a waterproof jacket. You have a choice between synthetic and down insulation to provide you an appropriate weight-to-warmth ratio.
Make sure your jacket has a hood attached to it. For better styling options, add several jackets in your closet so that you can alter them throughout the week. Go for neutral colors so they can be versatile in their use.
Hack the Winter with Layering
Layering is an absolute necessity if you live in extremely cold weather. To keep yourself warm even in dead winter, you need to learn how to layer up with different clothing items. Layering is also a fashion choice that allows you to ramp up your clothing ensemble with just a few items.
Besides, when you layer up, you get a chance to incorporate items that are not so suitable for winter, but you make it work by pairing them with other winter gear. This is an excellent way to make good use of clothing regardless of the season.
Wear a Base Layer
Add a sensible base layer as your go-to ensemble. The base layer provides you the freedom to wear whatever you want on top without making you cold. So choose this item sensibly so that you stay comfortable round the clock. The base layer should be light and well-fitting but not too snug that it will cut off your blood circulation or restrict your movement.
You can wear thermal tops and leggings as your base layer, it won’t create a bulky layer over your body, and when you add a sweater or coat, they will not be too snug either. A woolen base layer is also a great option, but it might bulk you up a little while you assemble it with other outerwear.
Layer It Up With a Long-Sleeve T-Shirt or Flannel Shirt
To layer between your coat and thermal, you can wear a T-shirt or a flannel shirt; flannel is a great option to keep you warm in winter. You can also add vests, button-downs, sweaters, cardigans, crop tops as your mid-layer.
The mid-layer is often visible through the outer layer, so choose a texture or pattern that will go nicely with your final layer. The mid-layer should be well-fitting to your body. Choose a color that will contrast with your outerwear.
Add Denim over Your Flannel Leggings
You can wear denim all around the year, but in extreme winter, you might need an extra layer of protection before you put it on. You can also invest in some winter denim; having fleece-lined or flannel-lined denim is an excellent way to tackle cold. If you are wearing long outerwear, make sure you choose a slim fit bottom.
Add the Final Layer
The outermost layer will be the most visible part of your outfit. A coat, jacket, shawl, poncho, and even a vest can be worn as an outer layer. If you don’t like a bulky coat or are bored with the same jacket, you can wear a light jacket; but don’t forget to add a second mid-layer if it is frigid out. The outer layer can be a full-length coat or a cropped jacket; it depends on your height and bottom selection.
Keep the Tone Right
Layering up does require you to add many different colors and materials. If you want to get a coherent look, the easiest way to pull it off would be to set a tone to your outfit. For instance, if you have a dark-toned base layer with thermal leggings and tops, contrast this dark tone with lighter outerwear such as a coat, top hat, or sweater.
It doesn’t make much thinking to combine the tone, but it looks way better than randomly selecting your inner and outerwear. Make sure the jacket goes well with your body shape, not too baggy or snug, with enough space to allow you to move comfortably.
Don’t Forget to Accessorize
Accessories can ramp up your style in a whole different way. Gloves, hats, and scarves can go a long way to keep you warm as well as giving you a sophisticated look. If you are suffering from eternal cold hand syndrome, you have no other option but to wear gloves. Although glove material depends on your comfort, leather gloves will look much better than wool gloves.
A woolen hat or a beret will make a bold fashion statement as well as keeping your head warm. You should look for a hat that goes well with the shape of your face. Scarves are also a great way to add personality to your winter attire. Look for colors or patterns that elevate the mood should get prioritized while adding them to your clothing ensemble.
Add a Dash of Color to Your Outfit
Gray, beige, brown, black, or white might be winter colors, but that doesn’t mean you have to cut out colors from your closet. If you are unsure about whether wearing a bright color would be the right way to go, you can add a little dash of color here and there. For instance, you can add a pastel shed hat, scarf, or a bag to add a little twist to your monochromic winter outfit. Whenever you add a contrast color, make sure you balance it out by pairing the color with another clothing item.
Learn How to Balance
Learning to balance the weight of your top and bottom layer will significantly improve your look. If you wear voluminous layers on top, you should cut down any excess volume from your bottom part and follow vice versa. If you don’t balance it out, you will just look like an overdressed Santa or one big bulk of clothing.
Wear Insulated Boot
Your winter shoes should be weatherproof, insulated, and water-repellant. A good pair of sturdy winter boots can go well with almost all outfits. Invest in some over the knee boots if you plan on wearing a skirt or a dress. Besides, tall boots will add an extra layer that will keep your legs warm.
Make sure you have at least one practical winter boot in your closet; when the snow starts to fall, your ankle fashion boots won’t do any good. You should opt for platform heel or low heel shoes in winter. The color should contrast your trouser to make them stand out.
You Can Wear Skirts and Dresses in Winter Too
Dresses might not be your go-to option for winter, but you can make it work. There are several different ways that you can add dresses to your winter wardrobe. A sweater dress can be a lovely addition to your winter outfit. They are versatile suitable for both formal and informal settings.
You can wear a turtleneck over a dress and pair it up with leggings. For added warmth, you can wear another long-sleeved layer under the turtleneck. For the bottom, fleece-lined leggings will be a better fit for winter than regular leggings.
Following the Trends Might Not Be Wise
If you try to follow the latest fashion trends, you might never be able to catch up with them because trends change so fast, it will be futile even to try. Fashion trends can make you pay too much for the clothing that you will wear only once or twice. Fast fashion apparel industries bring out new designs almost every week, and by following it, you will only end up with an overloaded closet and an empty pocket. Instead, try to pursue your own style that suits you and sets you apart from the others.
The Bottom Line
Styling in the winter is not that hard if you pay attention to these simple factors – comfort, tone, and balance. If you are not comfortable wearing a specific item, you should think of getting rid of it from your closet. No matter how well dressed you look, being warm should be your priority; and if you look cool while doing it, that’s a bonus. And don’t forget to check out the weather forecast before you go out sporting your new ensemble. Have a cozy winter!
