With the cold weather finally arriving and temperatures hitting just below 0°C, I find myself mourning the loss of my summer closet.
Just because it’s getting colder now doesn’t mean you should have to sacrifice your style and your self-expression to stay warm! Here are some of my favourite ways to keep warm during the winter months while still loving my outfits.
- Layer, Layer, Layer!
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The only way I make it through the winters here (which I’m seriously not built for — I’m a summer girly through and through) is by layering all of my outfits to the max.
It’s how I’m able to keep wearing outfits that I love without completely sacrificing them to overly bulky clothes. A pair of leggings under my flair jeans is a must, and I don’t leave the house without a shirt (or two) under my sweater.
As someone who gets cold super easily, I swear this is the only technique that actually keeps me warm. Plus, it’s easy to shed layers if you get hot, saving you from the uncomfortable pain of being too hot or too cold.
Don’t be afraid to commit—I’m talking jeans over leggings over pantyhose over knee socks.
These Canadian winters do not play around!
- Accessories Are Your Best Friend
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Layered necklaces, a colourful scarf, or a unique belt go a long way in elevating an outfit! Little accessories like this can turn a simple jeans-and-sweater look into something way more unique and perfectly you!
Adding layers of accessories adds so much character to any outfit. You just take your base and dress it up however you want — make it dainty and minimalist, sharp and grungy, boho and maximalist, or whatever suits you best!
I personally love my chunky rings: I wear one on practically every finger, and they’re always a crowd favourite and a great conversation starter.
It’s easy to lose your personal style when it’s cold, so adding these small touches is a great way to take charge of your fashion choices while bundled up in long sleeves and layers.
- Experiment With Your Makeup!
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I know the semester has already reached the point of decreased effort—God knows I gave up on concealer weeks ago—but having fun with different makeup looks is a great way of keeping the style spark alive.
A bit of eyeliner or a bold lip is an easy, surefire way of adding dimension to your daily look. Plus, I always find that I’m more confident in myself when I’ve got that extra touch added to my appearance, even if it’s just a simple tinted lip balm.
Try out something new — if you usually go for black eyeliner, try a brown one, or try out a new lip combo that you’ve had your eye on for a while but never got around to testing. My personal staple lippy is the Burt’s Bees Lip Shimmer in the shade “Fig”—it’s the perfect moisturizing pop of colour for any outfit.
- Lean Into Different Textures
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Winter clothing options are limited—especially in Canada, where we often dress for survival rather than style. However, incorporating different textures into an outfit is sure to make it visually pop!
The CST rule in fashion says that for an outfit to be interesting, it must either do so through colour, shape, or texture. Cozy winter clothes are the perfect way to add different textures and add depth to an outfit!
Mixing up the textures of your tops and bottoms, or wearing a sweater with a unique texture—something knitted, fuzzy, etc.—will instantly upgrade your outfit from basic to cozy chic.