Heavy layers, high style: How to dress fashionably during the wintertime

Just because the sun sets early, doesn’t mean your style has to, too. Don’t save your style for summer — winter is the perfect season to become a style sensation.

With the shorter days and freezing wind, Metro Vancouverites play their annual guessing game — will it snow this year or just neverending rainy days?

Regardless if you’re excited for the first possible white flurry or are already sporting a bright red nose like Rudolph’s in this chilly weather, wintertime is here and your closet needs to be on lock.

People often forget you can still rock nice outfits in the cold. Winter should not make you sacrifice style for comfort. 

So without further ado, here are some tips for keeping both fashionable and warm.

Layering

Every Vancouverite agrees that “layering is life” when it comes to enjoying the weather in comfort. 

A game-changing way to layer is wearing thermal leggings underneath your jeans. No one will even know you’re doubling up and saving your bones from freezing.

When it comes to the upper body, long sleeves, whether it’s an insulated fleece or Merino wool, feel like a soft hug and can keep you warm without adding bulk during your morning run or late-night study session. 

Layering is also a way to play with different colours, patterns, and fabrics in your outfits — it’s giving effortlessly chic.

Accessorizing

Just because summer has sunglasses and handy tote bags, that doesn’t mean there aren’t a ton of winter accessories we can adorn ourselves with to feel cozy.

Who doesn’t love fuzzy mittens protecting their hands during frosty mornings? There are also chunky scarves, which are multifunctional, allowing you to wrap them up once for style, twice for warmth, or three times to win against the wind. 

Matching toques and berets can elevate even the simplest outfit. To avoid hat hair, you could also wear headbands or ear warmers to protect your ears from going numb.

The more you accessorize, the more personality you exude. Accessories aren’t just practical — they are statement pieces.

Waterproofing

My favourite puffer jacket not only keeps me warm but adds a trendy look with its oversized silhouette. A waterproof jacket is essential for sudden drizzles and heavy downpours. I mean, we live in Raincouver after all! It’s worth investing in a quality jacket that can keep you dry for many years to come.

For the feet, long, waterproof boots lined with fleece on the inside can protect our toes from cold temperatures, puddles, slush, and deep snow.

With all these tips in mind, let’s remember over the next few weeks that while winters are cold, we can still bring the heat with our ‘fits.