How to Wear Dresses & Skirts in Cold Weather

Ladies,

The mornings have had an icy chill, but I head out for my morning walks anyway. I even wear my pretty dresses and skirts all Autumn and winter because of specific clothing choices that are incredibly comfortable. This sky-blue dress that I wore recently is a lightweight fabric (not my preference for cold weather), but it was only the topper over my insulating leggings, thick socks and tall boots. It was snuggly topped with a thick cable knit sweater. But the key to this seemingly simple formula is in the details.

“There is no such thing as bad weather just bad clothes.”

I have loved this Norwegians saying ever since I heard it. Having grown up in a frigid cold climate and having zero clue how to dress for it my entire life, I heartily agree that if you are not enjoying fashion in cold weather, you just have the wrong clothing and/or the wrong priorities. Getting my focus on the right pieces of clothing to keep warm allowed me to wear my pretty dresses in the cold weather, even the ones that are very light weight. That is not my preference for a winter dress, but some of our clothing looks beautiful for hot or cold weather and we just want to wear them more than in one season.

The right perspective first

I have noticed in many various fashion discussions online that there seems to be this insistence that dresses are not warm enough for truly cold weather. This is a very odd perspective to me when jeans are not warm enough for the cold without layering underneath either. Nothing is truly warm enough for cold weather without base layers and outerwear in the right density and fabrics.

Wearing the right materials in anything is what matters

Leggings can be fleece lined but wool or alpaca knits are the best insulation. A matching long sleeved under shirt is a necessity. This truly insulating base layer can be worn beneath pants or skirts and dresses. The perspective that skirts and dresses are not warm enough for cold weather only comes from assuming they are not meant to be layered beneath. But skirts and dresses are actually better than pants for layering beneath because they do not constrict your legs further with the extra layer of pants. In my experience growing up wearing base layers underneath pants vs underneath skirts and dresses later in life, I was far more comfortable in my base layers beneath the skirts and dresses.

Your boots are one of the main cold weather style pieces

Here is a major key to looking good in cold weather: buy comfortable and weather resilient boots but make them the prettiest most flattering boots to pair with anything. Beware of “fashion boots” that are cheap and look pretty but come with heels that are not good for walking and standing, or have zero traction, or are made of fake leather because they will shred easily and not be repairable. There are beautiful boots made for cold weather that are sturdy and low heeled. You do not have to clonk around in unattractive boots. You do not have to suffer in pretty boots that do not actually keep you warm or comfortable. Buy high quality beautiful and comfortable boots. If you cannot afford them new, look for them at consignment and thrift shops, or even poshmark online. I found my genuine leather boots for $7.50 brand new at a thrift shop.

Tall boots shield half your legs, so taller boots are a good item. Buy a half size bigger to accommodate thick insulating socks, I recommend wool socks, but fleece ones are better than regular socks if you cannot invest in wool socks.

Now you’re wearing insulating base layers, wool socks, and quality boots.

The dress is like a finishing topper. The dress is not your main warm item, but it can be a warm item if made out of thick polyester, wool, or flannel. A dress is like wearing a blanket that helps break the wind and chill. It is an extra layer not a liability and it can keep you even warmer if made out of winter appropriate materials.

Next is your sweater layer

The best-knit sweaters for cold weather are dense knits and/or thick knits. This is a pivotal piece of information. Many knit sweaters are made loosely, and loose knit sweaters are not as warm as densely knit sweaters. Even a subpar insulating material like acrylic will be significantly warmer if the knit is close together and not loose. Some of my favorite and softest sweaters have been acrylic sweaters but for serious cold it is a good idea to get alpaca or wool knit sweaters.

In the Autumn before winter, I stop at the sweater layer. As the cold weather gets harsher the outerwear layer goes over the sweater layer. Outerwear includes coat, hat, scarf, and gloves. These pieces of clothing, like boots, can really shine in style, so look for beautiful renditions of these items.

I love my woods walk in the cold, but I do linger by the fireplace a little longer than usual before I go out…..

Happy cold weather styling!

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CHRISTIAN LIVING – FASHION – HOME