Lately, Mother Nature has been presenting the fashionistas of Gainesville with the ultimate challenge: deciding what to wear out at night when the temperature is below 50 degrees. As most of us collegiettes™at UF are native Floridians, we’re not accustomed to this oddly cold weather. But contrary to popular belief, it’s totally possible to dress to impress for a night out on the town and to stay warm while doing so. All you need is a few of these winter fashion must-haves:
1. Leather jacket Although the most popular go-to is the standard black leather jacket, these can also be found in shades of brown, blue, and red. Leather jackets are sure to give your outfit an extra edge that takes it from casual to dressy. They look great when paired with a solid colored shirt, a statement-making necklace, colored jeans, and boots. If you’re not particularly fond of the cold and can find one that’s fur-lined, you’re golden. Plus, leather jackets allow you to channel your inner rebel for the night.
2. Patterned scarf Whether they’re cheetah-printed, polka-dotted, glittery, or tribal, scarves are definitely attention-grabbers. Because of this, patterned scarves give you a chance to make use of any plain clothes you may not wear out as much. If you’re in a rush and don’t have time to sift through your closet to come up with an outfit, scarves are a great hassle-free solution. Throw on black jeans, a white top, an animal-print scarf, and some red lipstick, and you’ll be sure to turn some heads when you’re out at night.
3. High-waisted jeans Don’t let those summery crop tops go to waste in the winter! High-waisted jeans are now available at affordable prices at popular retailers like Forever 21 and PacSun. Whether you pair them with a crop top or a shirt tucked in, they’ll give your outfit that vintage look. If you plan on wearing a crop top and showing some skin, just make sure you’re keeping it classy. My personal go-to items to pair with my high-waisted jeans are a patterened crop top and cozy knit sweater.
4. Boots Because of the fact that sandals are totally out of the question at this time of the year, boots are the best option for winter footwear. Whether they’re high-heeled booties, riding boots, or combat boots, they’ll be sure to keep your toes nice and warm while you party the night away. Wearing boots out at night is a nice break from the usual blisters you may get from your wedges or stilettos.
5. Knit headband or beanie Don’t let your ears freeze while waltzing around town at night! Available at stores like Urban Outfitters, PacSun, and Target, knit headbands and beanies are all the rage this winter season. Wear these out at night with caution, though, as they tend to give off a more casual vibe. For a house party or Midtown, they’re perfectly suitable. But if you’re headed to a bar or club Downtown, I’d probably pass on the beanie and deal with the cold for fashion’s sake.
6. Bright tights For those girly fashionistas who can’t stand the idea of going out without wearing a dress, this one’s for you. Though tights are fairly thin and probably don’t do much to realistically protect you from the cold, it’s the thought that counts. Target has a large stock of just about every imaginable color to suit your fancy. Bright colored or patterned tights look best when worn with a basic, dark dress, so there isn’t too much going on. If you’re feeling a little daring, try wearing tights with shorts one night to change it up.
If you’ve been in a funk with dressing at night while trying to combat this cold weather, start by looking for some of these winter fashion essentials. They’ll be sure to keep you warm, and possibly even catch the attention of the cutie from your English class, while you’re out at night. Stay warm, collegiettes™!
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