After a few months of on-and-off heat, cold weather has finally arrived on the Eastern Shore.
While there are only a few more weeks left in the semester, the question of what to wear as the weather transitions from autumn to winter might be difficult, especially as students begin to pack up their belongings to take back home.
Here are a few suggestions for what to wear as the semester wraps up and the cold rolls in.
Wide-sleeved sweaters
We have all heard it before: the number one tip for dressing for chillier weather? Layering.
However, this advice fails to consider the discomfort that layers typically bring on; itchy fabrics, overheating, and sweat stains all come with the territory. Even worse — most people have experienced the agony of trying to shimmy their long-sleeved shirt or sweater through the arms of a jacket, only to have to take off their jacket and try again.
However, one of this season’s emerging trends might have the solution to the sometimes-arduous process of layering. Wide-sleeved shirts, sweaters, and jackets are growing increasingly popular on the runway and in streetwear. Drawing from triangular-cut jackets and dresses popularized in the 1960s, these garments give people the freedom to layer without any issues.
Additionally, the detail elevates what would otherwise be a staple look of the season.
“You see a girl on Pinterest wearing jeans and a t-shirt and you’re like, ‘Why does that not look like that on me, though?’ and it’s because of these little elements like the stitching, the cut, the material,” fashion YouTuber Laini Ozark said in a recent video about winter fashion trends.
“Something else, I think, when looking at sweaters, long sleeved shirts, [and] jackets that we’re seeing that looks a lot more elevated is a wide sleeve.”
While just one clothing item cannot alleviate all of the hassle that comes with dressing for the weather, it can certainly guide you to looks that you might not have thought about before.
Tights
According to previous Elm coverage, the color red is popping up everywhere this fall, from Pinterest boards to New York Fashion Week. One of the most popular ways to style the on-trend color is through tights. However, with the influx of red accent pieces sold in stores and worn on influencers, this style is becoming a bit trite.
It is time to usher in a new era of tights. Whether they be patterned, color blocked, or simply fleece-lined, there are innumerable styles to explore beyond the popular red accessory.
Tights certainly fall under the umbrella of layering — often uncomfortable, always stylish — but are a necessary evil for anyone looking to wear a skirt or a dress during the colder months. To evade any discomfort, try stretching out your tights before wearing them, or cutting the tag out before the piece gets itchy.
Collared shirts
Some love it and some hate it, but regardless of popular opinion, business casual is back in style, according to British Vogue.
“If a financial crisis is on the cards, you may as well dress for promotion,” British Vogue journalist Ellie Pithers said.
While wide-shouldered blazers and freshly-pressed slacks are not for everyone, there are a number of elements you can incorporate into your personal style. Collared shirts are a staple of most working people’s wardrobes, but when taken a step further, can add a bit of playfulness or structure to a regular outfit.
When thrown over a tank top or a long-sleeved shirt, peter pan collar button-ups can add a dimension of youthfulness to your outfit. Additionally, Barrymore collars — the sharp, tapered necklines often seen in men’s fashion of the 1970s — are a funky way to step up an everyday look.
Regardless of what you decide to wear this autumn, remember to prioritize your own comfort and warmth above all else. Sweaters, tights, and collars cannot keep you as warm as a jacket or boots can, but they are sure to add a bit of spice to anyone’s typical cold weather outfit formula.
This article was written by Liv Barry from Washington College / The Elm and was legally licensed through the DiveMarketplace by Industry Dive. Please direct all licensing questions to [email protected].
