cold weather fashion
Let’s talk cold weather fashion. And no, we don’t mean California’s version of cold weather where we can still get away with cropped leather jackets and longline cardigans. We’re talking COLD, bitter cold, snowed in kind of cold. I consider myself quite the fashionista so you can imagine my dilemma when I have to travel out of the mild winters of California to somewhere much, much colder. I still want to look fashionable and not like a giant puffball of layers. The truth is that dressing for extremely low temperatures is really going to be more about surviving the cold than putting on a fashion show, but there are still some ways to incorporate fashion into cold weather dressing. We’re going to cover these tips and highlight our favorite pieces that have kept us warm AND stylish.
Style Tip #1: Color Combinations
Some snow jackets are made in certain colors and fabrications to serve functional purposes, but if you’re going to be enjoying normal day activities like sledding, grocery shopping, or sightseeing then you can consider rocking an outfit in any chic color combination your heart desires. Some tried and true color combinations that look amazing against winter white backdrops are as follows:
Green and White
Specifically a forest green or wasabi green shade (like this down jacket) will look awesome paired with colors like ivory, cream, and beige. Our recommendation is to opt for a green piece for the outermost layer (coat, puffer jacket, etc.) and stick to pieces in the cream color family for your inner layers (turtlenecks, thermals, etc.), snow pants, and snow accessories (beanies, scarves, etc.).
Metallic and Black/White
A puffer jacket in a metallic colorway is extremely trendy and they look great worn over black and white garments or both. If you want a more neutral metallic piece, opt for a silver/grey metallic puffer jacket, but brighter picks in pink or red are super fun as well.
Patterns
Rocking patterns somewhere in your cold weather look adds a current, unexpected element to the outfit. A rule of thumb is to choose one piece that features a pattern and keep the rest a solid color. An all over designer logo look is beyond chic! If you want to go for a bolder look, take the pattern head to toe.
Red and Black
The red and black combination is a step up from the green and white combo. It’s a bit more of a daring and striking cold weather fashion look, but still just as wearable. Incorporate the red wherever you feel comfortable but our style recommendation is to feature the red in a piece prominent enough to elevate your whole look (think outwear, scarf, headwear, shoes). Read on for our cold weather accessory style tips!
Monochrome
This is our favorite color combo style tip! Nothing beats a monochromatic look in the snow. Monochrome looks can actually be easier to style when you’re going somewhere cold and snowy as you’re naturally going to end up with lots of different textures in your outfit. The fluff and knit texture of your headwear is going to be completely different from the matte, water-resistant fabrication of your snow pants. Incorporating different textures throughout the outfit creates interest, making the monochromatic cold weather fashion look far from boring.
Style Tip #2: Layering and Silhouettes
Now that you’ve thought about the different color combinations you’d like to wear, it’s time to move into creating a flattering and stylish silhouette. It’s easy to lose yourself in the layers but a few simple tricks will eliminate that problem.
Cropped v. Longline
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The length of your outermost layer is going to be the most important as it’s the first thing people are going to see, but it’s also what makes or breaks the outfit. Both cropped and longline silhouettes are really chic so either choice will be great. A longline jacket or coat is going to allow more give, meaning looser-fit pants and layered bottoms aren’t going to throw off the proportions. If you opt for a cropped jacket, we recommend slimmer fitting silhouettes for the top and bottom so that neither the top or bottom half of your outfit looks weighed down. A universal style rule is always wide fit with slim fit and this especially applies to an outfit featuring a puffy cropped jacket. Rather than snow pants, choose to layer thermal leggings instead.
Belted/Princess Silhouette
An essential style tip for cold weather fashion and dressing is to create shape wherever you can. This means highlighting the natural contours of your body! An easy way to do this is to look for pieces that have functional trims at the waist. This could be a belt, tie, or toggles. Having this functional design trim naturally cinches in the waist and also improves the fit which is always a plus to keep the body warm and cozy. You can also opt for a belted jumpsuit or snow pants that have stylish buttons so that you can tuck in your top to create a flattering silhouette. Of course this will look best if the pants are high-waisted. A princess seam built into outerwear pieces also offers a natural contour to the body as it hugs nicely around the chest and waist giving you an hourglass shape.
Jumpsuit/Overalls
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A jumpsuit is a must-have as it’s a one-and-done cold weather fashion piece for layering and warmth! It cuts down the hassle of mixing and matching. The most important step is to find a jumpsuit that is warm enough and fits you perfectly. If you’re participating in snow activities then you’ll definitely want to purchase a jumpsuit made for it. Once you have that, you can add an extra bottom layer like thermal leggings if you need more warmth (and no one’s going to see it so wear whatever you please!) Finally, the top is what you can get creative with and whatever you choose for this layer is going to look incredibly cute under the jumpsuit/overall. We recommend a chic cashmere turtleneck.
Style Tip #3: Accents and Accessories
At this point, you’re basically a cold weather fashion expert! Some finishing pieces are going to help complete your look and keep your fingers, ears, and feet warm and protected (and this is crucial).
Headwear
Headwear is an amazing way to keep your ears toasty but it’s also a great way to dress up and top off a cold weather outfit. Some headwear ideas are ear muffs, beanies, bomber hats, and knit headbands. A branded beanie in a basic colorway is a classic go-to but play it up or down as you’d like. You can’t go wrong with a minimalist pick. Whatever you choose, just make sure it’s not too busy or clashing with the top half of your outfit. (E.g. if you’re wearing a patterned scarf, then keep the beanie a solid color or vice versa!)
Accent Colors
An accent color is a super chic way to incorporate style into your cold weather fashion. It’s understated but does wonders especially in a snowy white setting. You can choose to feature an accent color in your gloves, scarves, shoes, and even outerwear. A pop of color is a fool-proof style idea.
Fur Trims
A lot of cold weather fashion pieces incorporate fur trims for that extra warmth but the difference in texture makes a fashion statement as well! This is easiest to incorporate in outerwear as it’s used to line hoods and the body but snow boots and gloves are oftentimes made with fur trimming as well.
Snow Boots
Snow boots need to be absolutely comfortable AND practical. This is the one cold weather fashion piece where quality and functionality trump aesthetics every time (and they should!). However, we’ve seen traditional snow boots get some major updates every season with cool, contemporary touches. Fur trims, accents, lace-ups, and more — the options are endless! We recommend investing in a high-quality piece in classic, everyday colors as this is the one piece you’re going to reach for every year when snow season comes around. If you don’t need heavy duty snow boots, stock up on the thermal socks and opt for rain boots or boots with lug soles that are slip and water resistant.
We hope these cold weather fashion tips were helpful! Share your favorite cold weather fashion tips with us in the comments!
For More Winter Fashion Inspo, You Should Read:
Turn Heads With These 7 Winter Fashion Trends We’re Bringing Into 2021
These 5 Coats And Jackets Are Essential For Your Capsule Closet
