As we get into December, I can finally say with confidence that cold weather has set in across the United States. And with cold weather comes precipitation (You know what I’m talking about, Syracuse University students!), and there is NOTHING more miserable than being wet AND cold.
A parka is a great way to fight the winter elements. Waterproof, comfortable, and durable, these coats are more practical than some trendier ones you might find. And a sturdy parka is a great investment — it will keep you looking and feeling great, even on the coldest days.
This week’s challenge is to take your parka and turn it into a work of fashion! Interested, but unsure how? Read on for tips on how to style a parka!
Tips and Tricks for Looking Fashionable in a Parka
- If you’re shopping for a new parka, look for a version that’s more on the dressy side. Since it’s a parka, you won’t have to worry about it ever looking too dressy. A more tailored version will up the style of a usually casual piece, and will make you feel like a million bucks even in the harshest weather.
- Avoid the overly shiny variety if you can – as you can see in the photos above, parkas with a more matte finish generally look more stylish and are easier to wear than the shiny, puffy, quilted kind.
- Find a version that is loose enough to layer underneath. This way, you can pile on shirts and sweaters and still have enough room for movement.
- Belted versions are great as well — they’ll give even puffy down parkas a bit of shape!
- Use accessories to make your outfit cute. Beanies and trapper hats look adorable on cold winter days.
- I love the military-style parkas with fur lining that have been popping up everywhere, from runways to Target. They’re both practical and chic.
- Don’t be afraid to try wearing your parka with a dress or a skirt. It’ll look fine as long as you add a pair of tights or leggings and boots.
Outfit Inspiration
Outfit 1: Wet and Wild
Parka, Jeggings, Flannel Shirt, Earrings, Gloves, Boots
Cold, rainy days are never fun, but you’ll feel a little sunnier knowing that you’re wearing bright colors underneath your practical parka! Pull on a cozy pair of jeggings and you favorite flannel (add your favorite sweater and switch to jeans if it’s super cold). Add cute earrings and girly gloves, and bundle up with bright rain boots and a water-proof parka.
Outfit 2: Baby It’s Cold Outside
Sweater, Beanie, Jeans, Parka (sold out but similar ones are available), Boat Shoes, Umbrella
This outfit is simple yet chic! A long black sweater will look great with distressed jeans and basic boat shoes. Finish with a warm beanie, fur lined parka, and a cheery red umbrella to block the rain or sleet.
Outfit 3: Stylish and Chic
Parka, Dress Shirt, Skirt, Tights, Shoes, Ring, Necklace
Just because it’s cold outside, that doesn’t mean you have to be sloppy! A long parka can easily be dressed up for a chic look in the dead of winter. Tuck a white dress shirt into a high-waist muted floral skirt. Pull on a pair of tights, and some cute lace up booties. Finish with some vintage looking jewelry.
Rocked the Challenge? Send In Photos!
Did you take your parka and turn it into a fashion masterpiece? Send in your photos to fashionchallenge AT collegefashion.net along with your name, school, a description of what you’re wearing, and the URL of your blog if you have one. We’ll post your pictures here to inspire other CF readers!
We can make you a celebrity overnight š
Thoughts?
What does your parka look like? Is it easy to style? What winter coats do you think are the most practical? What future fashion challenges would you like to see? Let us what you think with a comment!
Cute, but not even close to being warm enough for a Maine winter haha. It would be awesome if you styled a REAL arctic parka (like from Lands End, or L.L. Bean), instead of these thin flimsy ones.
I agree with #2; these are definitely not warm enough for a cold Canadian winter! Very cute but I for one would really like to know how to style up my North Face parka, haha. It’s not a puffy one and isn’t shiny, but I still find it difficult to style and would love to know some tips.
L & Katryna – As always, the parkas we chose were just for inspiration – we definitely weren’t saying they would be appropriate for every weather condition across the globe. Obviously you could swap them out with similar-looking ones that might have a warmer material inside for a similar look.
Canada Goose is always my first choice when choose parka for winter. the parka is just excellent š
Wow, wow, wow! Love all of these outfits, it definitely fits my aesthetic too! It’s especially great for me since I live in Canada and it’s so darn cold! Hope you don’t mind if I copy all of these outfits. ;D
Anna I love the way you think. I just bought a great Russian style coat (makes me feel like I’m in a Tolstoy novel) and it’s super warm for the frigid temperatures.
My style comes closest to #3! Unfortunatelyyyyy, I don’t think parkas suit my body type too well, so I’ll be swapping my camel coat (hits at about the hips) for the parka and see how it all turns out!
the second and third look great
No, everything can’t “be appropriate for every weather condition across the globe”, but what at least always bugs me and I’m guessing some of your Canadian/etc readers as well is that it’s not just about switching the coat for a warmer one for our conditions – it’s just way, way more difficult to look cute when it’s minus degrees Farenheit and over 20 inches of snow. Michelin-Man Chic!
Anyway – I want to sing the praises of wool, personally (am Scandinavian, we’ve recently had the coldest November in history). A full-length wool skirt is the warmest thing you can wear in these conditions; skirts are always warmer than trousers (more room for air) and denim is the coldest fabric ever. It took me way too long to understand, but yeah. Wool! <3<3
Some random tips from me; an Arctic parka, wool sweater (like a Norwegian or Icelandic one, fisherman's), wool skirt or wide-legged trousers with cotton or wool tights underneath. Woolly hat and earmuffs. I try to have the hat, mittens and stuff in fun, bright colours; it's so difficult to find heavy winter wear in colours (I have a bright blue coat, but it's not layered enough right now, sadly). And I have fake fur on my coat as well, I like the "Moscow Chic" look (but I know not everyone does).
Hey girls! Thanks for the feedback!
After reading your comments, what would you guys think about a challenge with North Face fleece jackets? I normally stay away from brands or styles that are so specific, but I feel like almost every college girl has a fleece jacket.
Would you be interesting in something like that?
I am so annoyed that I bought my snow-proof, completely ugly winter coat a few weeks ago and now I keep seeing cute ones I can no longer afford.
Damn you, Minnesota!!
Charlotte xxx
You should def do a post on styling a North Face. North Face is really popular at my school, and it’d be great for some tips on how to stand out from the crowd in them
=)
I love parkas! My favorite look is no 3 – so cute!
A parka is an essential item to own to survive in Canada’s cold winter. I love the parkas by TNA (Local store – though I think they’re not so local anymore, since the last I heard about them, they’re actually opening stores in the US). They’re quite on the price side but they’re worth all the money. Keeps you warm and toasty despite the -20 with windchill forecasts!
I have one I picked up last year it’s not that stylish though I say that cause it’s way to long only reason why I picked it up to cover my butt and legs but I’m loving the styles though
Hee, Russia rocks! But yeah, they sure got some things down. And I love the romance of the long woolly skirts as well!
My parka is army green with fur around the hood and like many others it’s my favorite winter jacket! I love pairing it with skinny jeans to balance out its more ‘bluky’ feel.
My long parka has been my go-to coat for over a year now, out of functionality more than anything…I love how these outfits switch things up! Outfit 3 is fabulous. I also agree about North Face jackets–it’s true, so many people have one, or something similar.
I’m at Syracuse, and today I finally realized that I’m going to have to swap my cute peacoat for my ugly knee long parka in order to not freeze.
The coats shown are really cute, but as others have said, definitely not warm enough for a lot of northern places, but gave me some ideas to go off of, though!