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What Do I Wear There? How to Dress on a Cold Night Out

Last Updated on February 25, 2019 by Colleen - NYU
This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you purchase through our links. Please read our full disclosure here.

For this week’s post, I’m going to answer the first “What Do I Wear There?” request. It comes from the lovely Leira, who asked:

“Do you have any ideas what to wear for a night out when it’s cold? I just started college up north, and I have no idea how to dress up if I can’t wear my usual short sleeve/sleeveless tops.”

I totally agree – as the weather gets colder, dressing up for a night out gets tougher. But don’t think that you can’t wear your short sleeve or sleeveless tops anymore! There are ways to make them work well into winter.

Here are three sample outfits for a cold night out. For the first two looks, I’ll show you cute ways to incorporate those lighter-weight pieces into cold weather outfits and for the third, I’ll show some great pieces you should invest in before the temperature drops.

It’s Getting Chilly…

What to wear in cold weather

Product Details: Tuxedo Cardigan, Tank Top, Acid Wash Gray Jeans: TopShop, Bow Headband: Missguided.co.uk, Lace Clutch: Forever 21, Wedge Boots: Alice + Olivia for Payless

For those nights when it’s feeling a bit chilly but not quite cold enough to break out your coat and scarf, opt for a long cardigan. I love this one from TopShop, as its double-breasted style is adorable and unique.

Underneath, you can wear one of your favorite tank tops—this blue one is the prettiest color and it can take you through all the seasons!

Those acid wash jeans we saw on celebrities all summer are still hot for fall, so throw on a pair of those to add some edge to your basic top. Tough, chunky wedges from Payless add some punk-rock edge, while a lace-printed clutch keeps it feminine. As for hair, loose chignon styles are all over magazines right now, so throw your hair into a simple bun. If you’re feeling extra flirtatious and girly, add on a sparkly bow headband!

A Bit Colder…

Dress and Leggings: What to wear when it's cold out

Product Information: Chiffon Skirt Dress, Ruched Clutch: TopShop, Faux Leather Leggings: Wet Seal, Black Cardigan: Miss Selfridge, Boots: Piperlime.gap.com, Earrings: Forever 21

If you’re like me, cold weather often has you instinctively reaching for darker colors and ditching fun prints. But it doesn’t have to be like that! You can still wear bright colors and patterns in winter weather, so long as you include seasonal accessories like leggings and closed-toe shoes.

While this outfit admittedly does have a lot of black, I love the rich colors on the dress and the subtle design and coloring of the earrings. I made it winter weather appropriate by adding a pleated cardigan, faux leather leggings, and hip wedges with fabric you can fold over for a funky look.

Cold!!

What to wear in cold weather

Product Information: White Tank: Forever 21, Black Bandage Skirt, Grey Crochet Scarf: Dorothy Perkins, Lace Leggings: Charlotte Russe, Flannel Shirt: Delias, Bow Booties: Wet Seal, Leather Jacket: Debenhams.com, Black Rosette Clutch: Monsoon.co.uk

For those super cold, windy, awful nights, my best advice is to layer, layer, layer! Once again, you can use a summery tank top as a base but instead of a cardigan, try putting a flannel on for a cozy 90’s-esque look. To keep you snug as you brave the weather outdoors, add a leather jacket over your flannel and a soft crochet scarf!

The braided tank top above would look chic tucked into a slimming black bandage skirt (bonus: bandage skirts are a lot comfier than they look and can actually be really warm). For the final accessories, I love the juxtaposition of classic, lace printed leggings with the more modern shapes of the boots and clutch.

What Do You Think?

Do you have any other advice for Leira on what to wear in cold weather? Do you have a favorite item for nights out when the temperature drops? Any other winter fashion tips you would add? Share them in the comments!

Also, if you have any “what do I wear there” questions, let me know! I may feature yours in next week’s article.

Tags : cold weather outfits, Fall, Snow, Weather, What Do I Wear There?, Winter

10 Comments
Originally published on September 18, 2009
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Comments

  1. Tara says

    April 15, 2019 at 10:35 am

    I love these looks, but I’d need a warmer jacket for the weather here. I find that layering two tights really help when its freezing.

    Reply
  2. Ciara says

    April 15, 2019 at 10:35 am

    The first outfit is way cute but I don’t like that last outfit.

    Reply
  3. Leira says

    April 15, 2019 at 10:41 am

    Thanks for posting on my comment. 😉 I especially like the second outfit.

    Reply
  4. Ritika says

    April 15, 2019 at 10:41 am

    I also feel that a follow-up post should be made later on about frigid-cold winter fashions. I’ve been waiting for CF to do one, because I need more inspiration.

    Thanks for the article! It’s not my style and but it’s fun to look at.

    Reply
  5. Stacy - Cape Town, South Afric says

    May 28, 2019 at 10:24 am

    Thanx for a fanatastic site – your outfits are simple yet gorgeous. I might be on the otherside of the world but dropping by and ‘adopting’ new fashionable ideas is as easy as pie – thanks to College Fashion.

    In time of need, a fashion guru is al ways well appreciated. XOX

    Reply
  6. callado says

    April 15, 2019 at 10:51 am

    one word- FABOLOUS!!!!

    Reply
  7. Brooke says

    April 15, 2019 at 10:35 am

    Colleen–thank you for explaining that it was more for “fall” cold weather! I would LOVE a winter weather post! I didn’t realize you were from up north so you probably do understand the plight of those of us who still want to look cute and not freeze!

    Reply
  8. Luinae says

    April 15, 2019 at 10:35 am

    Canada is sooooooo cold- even these would have you with frostbite at -40 celcius. My advice to canadians- look good under your coat.

    Reply
  9. Chelsey says

    April 15, 2019 at 10:35 am

    I’m comletely jealous of this article because I live in Texas and cold weather here is 80 degrees. 🙁 Great post though! I wish I could plan cute winter outfits!

    Reply
  10. mimi says

    April 15, 2019 at 10:50 am

    lace tights are really, really cute, but really won’t keep you warm on a night that is say, -20 degress.

    Reply

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