Dressing up for a night on the town in winter feels next to impossible. It’s cold, and you don’t want to look like a freezing idiot with inappropriately bare legs and arms. At the same time, you don’t want to feel frumpy either. Starting today and over the next several posts, I’m going to explore several ways to get dressed up and feel sexy yet warm. If you’ve got the right staples – like a long-sleeve dress and a warm jacket, it’s possible! I just know it!
THE FOUNDATION
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Dressy Coat or Jacket – Assume when you’re going out on the town that you’ll be going from car-to-venue-to-car. Warm yet dressy outerwear is my go-to for staying stylish while covering up. It’s not nearly as warm as a down coat, but since I’m not spending too much time outside, I go for a cover-up that will match my dressy look. Faux fur definitely gives a luxe vibe but doesn’t break the bank.
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Leather Gloves – Mittens are best when it’s super-cold, but a beautiful pair of leather gloves for a night out keep you looking polished and warm as you arrive or depart from your destination. The furry cuffs on these cover my wrists, while the cashmere lining keeps my hands warm.
- Close-Toed Shoes (with Sparkle) – Don’t go for the sandals with tights look when it’s truly chilly. You’ll have people asking you if you’re feet are cold all night. I found this pair of small and compact booties with the silver snakeskin patch at a discount shoe store, and they’ve quickly become one of my go-to winter dress shoes – they are fancy yet practical on a cold night. And the two colors go with almost everything (especially a similarly color-blocked dress!).
- Simple Clutch – I’m talking about that one go-to, lived-in yet lovely bag that can hold just about everything you’ll need for a night out – lip gloss, ID, gum, phone – and that might even match your leather gloves for an extra polished touch.
- Simple Jewelry – Earrings and/or Necklace – I don’t like to wear heavy bracelets when it’s cold. The metals freeze against my skin and the bulky bangles get caught in my coat sleeves. Rings don’t fit in my gloves, either, so I tend to stick to very small and simple pieces, like this subtle yet sparkly necklace. It’s quite versatile and goes with silver, gold, black and white. Plus, my man gave it to me for Christmas, so it’s extra special.
- Simple Makeup – Smoky Eye or Bright Lip – A quick way to look glamorous when it’s cold is to keep the makeup simple but stated with a dark, smoky eye or a bright, bold lip. Choose one or the other, though – not both. A nude lip with a smoky eye or mascara-only with bright lips. You want to look done but not over-done when it’s so cold out.
- Head Gear – Ear Muffs (hair up) or Feminine Hat (hair down) – Though not pictured here, choosing something to keep your ears or your head warm will be key on the coldest of nights. Ear muffs are a great choice if you’re going with an up-do, but a wool floppy hat or beanie will keep you warm without messing up your coifed locks if you’re wearing them down.
- SPANX – you gotta pull it all in, girls! In winter, I feel so chunky and frumpy – a pair of SPANX keeps me warm, high and tight underneath my dressy outfits. Especially in a tight dress like this – no rolls allowed. SPANX are important. Buy them.
LONG – SLEEVE DRESS
Guaranteed to keep me warm, yet tight enough to outline my figure and make me feel sexy, this ponte color-blocked shift dress is one idea for a night out in winter. The long sleeves and knee-length hem provide the coverage I’ll need on a cold day. The body-conscious color-blocking frames my body vertically, adding length and a slimming effect by putting the light color in the center and the dark color on the outside – where my widest parts are.
Oh, and did I mention the importance of SPANX? They kept my middle nice and flat and my legs nice and warm under the bright white fabric pulled right across my belly. Let’s be real – unless you’re a size 0, a dress like this can’t be worn without a secret weapon underneath.
WHAT I WORE:
- Black Faux Fur Jacket: (Altuzarra for Target)
- Black Leather Gloves: (Ugg Australia, purchased at Nordstrom Rack)
- Black Leather Clutch: (Jack Germain)
- Black and Silver Color-Block Booties: (Vince Camuto)
- Black and White Color-Block Dress: (Banana Republic)
- Nude Lip Gloss: (Bite and PLA Beauty)
- Black Eyeshadow: (MAKE, Super Matte Cake Liner Duo)
- Necklace: (my own)
HOW TO WEAR IT YOURSELF:
Stay tuned for more winter dress-up ideas coming soon. There are many ways to keep warm and look your best with different fabrics, colors and layers. Let’s explore it together so you get some ideas!
XOXO,
Belle
