Given that it is properly winter now (as a struggling Cali-girl who wears a puffer when it is 60 degrees and cloudy), I have become a pro at the game of layering *insert smirky face*. So, with that being said, I hope you’ll take my self-proclaimed professional advice on how to not only elevate your looks but also keep warm during these chilly times :).
To begin, I’d like to provide you with some preliminary fashion tips before I share specifics on how to build the right outfit.
- Little accessories are a must if you are going to not just survive, but thrive this season. Some of these accessories include but are not limited to:
- Scarves! Skinny scarves and the thick, chunky ones that you can tie around your neck like a hood (these are great for the winter – especially if your puffer is hoodless!) If you’re a thirfter, my favorite thing to do is go to the Goodwill Bins in Hamden in the winter, and search for scarves, because clothing is about 3$ a pound!
- Mittens/Gloves… obviously, your extremities have to stay cozy to ensure you have proper blood flow/that you can keep your whole body warm!
- Fingerless gloves are also on the table. Although they may keep you less warm, they are perfect if you’re someone on the go, who switches their music often and needs to type away at their phone.
- Leg warmers! → These are perfect to be worn inside your knee-high boots or with your ankle-high uggs. Whatever the boot may be, I am positive that this accessory will make you look 10 times more put together (and with seasonal depression creeping in, we’ve got to fake it til we make it tbh.)
- Earmuffs. I know these may have been an accessory of the early 2000s… but they were an absolute serve so they must be brought back. End of story.
- Beanies, ushankas, and balaclavas – I am a frequenter of the highlighter orange Carhartt beanie, but you’ve got to find what works for you. Regarding the balaclava specifically, if you have a ton of nose piercings like me, then you know that this is necessary if you’re going to keep your chilly nose from freezing off.
- The sandwich method
- Say, if you have a brown beanie, then you should pair that with brown legwarmers or brown boots.
- OR, if you have a cream scarf, then pair that with cream leggings or a cream skirt… you get the idea.
- Say, if you have a brown beanie, then you should pair that with brown legwarmers or brown boots.
- A tote is also a must because if you’re wearing a thick puffer/jacket, a backpack may be hard to wear during this season. I have a tote made of recycled Levi’s jeans as a staple but also have 2 other colors to make sure I’m always complimenting my fits (though I know this can be a lot, so a simple black or tan tote is perfect)
Now, getting to building fits with layering:
- The sweater underneath the puffer, with a long skirt, and pants or leggings. You can wear boots and leg warmers if you have to accompany this and some earmuffs/headphones. See how I also employed the sandwich method.
- The sweater underneath a graphic t-shirt, with a leather jacket, baggy jeans and leggings underneath (my jeans have holes in them, so I like to wear lacey stockings so they show through but provide an extra layer of warmth).
- A beanie with a tanktop under a leather jacket and an oversized trenchcoat, with a skirt and fleece-lined leggings. This can likewise be paired with a boot. (Not pictured, but provided influencers below who have done this look before for reference.
- A collared shirt (can be under a sweatshirt/sweater), paired with a tie, fitted cap, and a trenchcoat. For bottoms, you can wear a long skirt with uggs or a miniskirt with stockings and loafers.
- A sweater with a light turtleneck underneath, paired with a leather jacket, a long skirt, and some boots or sambas of choice (if the color palette is right).
Lastly, I’d like to provide some influencers who I look to regarding fashion, giving you their social media platforms for some extra content to look at!
Sofia Coelho (@Sofiamcoelho on Instagram)
Ellie Robinson (Elliee.rob on Instagram)
Chelsea Jordan (@Chelseajordan on TikTok)
Olivia Hirst( @Olhirst on TikTok)
Lara (Lara_bsmnn on TikTok and Instagram)
Highlighting POC Specific Influencers <3 :
Nyah (@Missmallz on TikTok and Instagram)
Merwan (Whoismero_ on TikTok, whoismero on Instagram)
Jessi ( @by.regiina on TikTok and Instagram)
