As a Southern Californian who had never experienced any temperature lower than 40 degrees Fahrenheit before coming to Princeton, surviving the New Jersey winter has been an uphill battle. Through trial and error — and strategic dressing — I’ve mastered how to stay warm, and stylish, in frigid temperatures.
1. Layers, layers, layers
Start your outfit out with a Uniqlo HEATTECH base layer. It’s game-changing. I’ve ventured out on cold days all the way from New College West to Firestone with only a hoodie overtop because of how warm this HEATTECH magic keeps me. But if you’re not a fan of thermalwear, layering with simple basics, such as solid color long sleeves or wool cardigans, is a great way to radiate effortless chicness. I love layering a long sleeve shirt and cardigan on top of a white tank top. It keeps me warm, but it’s also an opportunity to add patterns and texture to an outfit.
2. Establish a jacket rotation
It might seem difficult to stay stylish in the winter because you always have to wear a jacket or coat, covering up the outfit underneath. Sometimes, though, the jacket is the outfit. I’ve curated jacket options that keep my winter wardrobe interesting, like fur coats and barn jackets. Having fun, colorful jackets in your rotation adds character to any outfit. My green fur coat and bubblegum pink puffer have brightened even the dullest, gloomiest winter days!
3. Don’t forget about socks
While socks are a less conspicuous detail, we should give them more credit for how they spice an outfit up. Picture this: a simple monochromatic black outfit, with a black trench coat, and loafers paired with a bright red sock. I take my sock rotation seriously, incorporating bright colors and patterns like polka dots and stripes. Personally, my favorite socks are from Free People and Brandy Melville. Both places have mastered their selection, offering adorable patterned socks and even some with frills that add a nice touch when they peek out from under my pair of jeans, perfect for a stylish — and warm — walk down Nassau.
4. It’s all in the accessories
Fall and winter are my favorite for a reason: every day is a prime opportunity to accessorize to the max. I find myself thinking more about accessories than clothes at times. When else will I have the opportunity to wear my hot pink chunky scarf? This year, my favorite accessory has been a blue and gray striped balabonnet from Free People. It’s a perfect marriage of a scarf and beanie, the ultimate way to keep you warm and fashionable. I also love enhancing an outfit with lots of silver jewelry, like chunky rings and a statement bracelet stack.
5. Experiment with scarves — and anything else
You might have seen the TikTok trend of taking a basic, chunky scarf and wearing it as a hood, something similar to a balaclava. I’ve found that the thicker the scarf is, the better this technique will work. I love seeing people wear their scarf in this way, especially when paired with a wool peacoat, straight leg jean, and big purse. Winter is the best time to take fashion risks, since every choice feels intentional when dressing to brave the weather.
While we can’t control the slushy snow or whether we’ll have class during a blizzard, staying fashionable is one thing we can always count on. With so much opportunity to be creative with our outfits, I hope these tips help you look forward to getting dressed for the last stretch of cold Princeton days.
Monica Zepeda is a contributing writer for The Prospect and a member of the Class of 2028. She can be reached at mz9063[at]princeton.edu.
Please send any corrections to corrections[at]dailyprincetonian.com.
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