Outfits to Survive Winter In-Round Two

My hot take (ba-dum, tss!..mea culpa) on actually enjoying winter dressing

Yes, you read that subtitle correctly-I thoroughly revel in dressing for winter. I’d even go so far as to say, I…love winter. In my defense, I feel my most creative when my outfit can have several layers and I’m a rising Taurus, after all (we love being swaddled in luxurious fabric and being cozy, what can I say). I also enjoy sweating significantly less, though my assertive walking speed does get me a bit heated up. And who can resist a mulled wine, twinkling lights, a fireplace, and being swathed in blankets like a baby burrito? Not I!

I spent a few years building up my (mostly vintage) winter sweater collection and lined leather pieces, and it’s been a game changer when the temperature drops. My top tips for winter dressing? Wear a wool-y or thick cotton roomy sweater. Sick of wearing sweaters? Throw on a lined wool or leather blazer over your going out top. It extends the life of your more autumnal jackets that can’t quite hold up to the frigid temperatures on their own. Here are some of my early winter outfits I galavanted around the city in. And by galavanted, I mean walked around my borough because the subway has been a hot mess and I don’t like to leave Brooklyn on the weekends.

Vintage 80’s Leather Trench from my mama bear, Everlane Half-Zip Sweater, Vintage Plaid Skirt, Saks Potts Tights, Diemme Boots, Leather Hair Ties

I’m a certified sucker for a midi wool skirt. Especially a plaid one. To keep the outfit from feeling too Catholic-grammar-school-art-teacher-in-the-suburbs, I added the vintage leather trench and leather hair ties (from a wonderful vendor on Randall’s Island for Indigenous People’s Day), a contemporary printed tight (praise be to sample sales), and more modern looking pseudo-duck boots.

Vintage Plaid Blazer, Vintage Leather Vest (I got it from my mama, as they say), Pearl Necklace, Beaded Necklace (purchased from a different delightful vendor at IPDNYC), La Ligne x Target Trouser, Swedish Hasbeens Boots

I wore this to a good friend’s birthday soiree at their apartment. The pants were a purchase from a Target collaboration-I generally try to avoid purchasing from such large companies, but I really adored the comfort and ease of this pant. These 100% need to be hemmed, but I’m a procrastinator. I didn’t wear the blazer for much of the night inside because wearing a leather vest is…well, literally hot. I wore a vintage black wool coat over this fit and was quite toasty on the walk home. The full look was definitely more practical for the outside temperature.

Vintage Leather Trench, Everlane Cotton-Wool Sweater, Vintage Plaid Skirt from Other People’s Clothes, Tibi Patent Boots, Vintage Purse from Unearth Vintage, Leather Harness from Etsy

I’ve got a date with the niiiiiight! And my partner. We had a scrumptious dinner at one of my favorite spots, Camillo and any time I leave my house, I use it as an excuse to dress up. I’m still very obsessed with this leather harness I purchased a few years ago and it’s a delicious juxtaposition to my vintage dresses and oversized pieces. This fuzzy muppet bag I bought from Unearth Vintage (one of my favorite secondhand shops) brings me so much joy. And the Tibi boots I bought at their outlet sale are getting a ton of mileage this season.

Vintage Leather Lime Green Blazer from Etsy, Vintage Faux Fur Halter Top from YouLookVintastic, Marni x Uniqlo Corduroys, old Z*ra Patent Zip Loafers

I wore this fit to one of my most beloved activities, a friend date night at the theater, to see A Strange Loop (GO SEE THIS SHOW-IT IS SO PHENOMENAL AND YES IT DESERVES ALL CAPS TO SAY SO). I know this look doesn’t photograph in the most “flattering” (I have a lot of feelings on that term, but we can unpack that at a later date) way, but was a very fun look that was better IRL. These cords are incredibly comfy and better than the usual quality for Uniqlo collaborations. I purchased the leather blazer when I was watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer for the first time a few years ago and was obsessing over the 90s fashion. And the vintage faux fur halter top? Very toasty. I threw over my go-to vintage black wool coat over the look.

Vintage 80s does Edwardian Snap Blouse from Chinemachine, old Silver Turtleneck from FF brand, Uniqlo U Round Jean Trouser, Vintage Pink Cowboy Boots from Etsy

And for a day of acting work, this is what I wore going for comfort when I was not in the mood to wear a sweater. I’m utterly at the whim of my emotions. Since the turtleneck’s made up of polyester, it was actually quite warm layered underneath the vintage cotton blouse. The round jean left room to wear tights underneath and the cowboy boots were spacious enough to wear some wooly socks.

There you have it. Layering can be fun! Creative! Exciting! Full of yummy friction! And which season gives you the opportunity to do so without drowning in a pool of your own sweat? Winter. :’)