Q for those in the cold climates - best ways to dress warm for work? - YouLookFab Forum

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Q for those in the cold climates - best ways to dress warm for work?

Makrame

Veteran

This is not so much a question as a poll about preferences and experiences. Now that it is finally starting to get cold and snowy, I am once again trying to figure out the best way to dress both weather- and work-appropriate. Unheard of for Upstate New York, we had almost no snow up until yesterday. We got about 7" overnight and temps are in the single digits (Farenheit) so I need to remember to wear tall and warm boots.

I used to always wear bootcut pants or jeans (or trouser-style pants) for work and would just wear them over booties or warm boots. Of course, that meant wet snow and salt stains on the hem. I have started wearing skinny jeans and skirts a lot so now I can tuck my jeans into boots. However, lately I find that I often feel doubtful about whether skinny jeans or ponte pants that I am wearing are entirely work-appropriate, even with longer tops. I will clarify that jeans in general (straight, bootcut or "mom jeans") are completely appropriate most days (except for teaching).

So what are your favorite ways to dress for work in the winter? Skirts and warm tights? Straight pants tucked into boots (I need to try that option)? Anything else?

Dressing

18 replies

Latest reply was from Makrame

Jonesy

Veteran

I have primarily been wearing slouchy pants/skinnyjeans tucked into booties; I also wear skirts and dresses with tights, paired with tall boots or booties.

Lisa

Veteran

I wear bootcut trousers with thermals underneath, and boots. I'll swap snowboots for more work friendly boots once in the office. I also wear skinnies with tall boots again swapping if there was snow. If the snow is regular I'll commute in snow boots and keep my work boots in the office. And I'll wear skirts or dresses with fleece lined tights again with tall boots. On the top half, it's always layers. A long sleeve T-shirt, then a knit top or woven shirt over it, then a sweater/cardigan/blazer. And I add a scarf over that final topper. I have a lot of laundry in the colder months.

crazyone

Veteran

Makrame, you're a university professor, right? I think skinny jeans should be appropriate so long as you're not teaching. If you feel a bit self conscious, you could look for skinny jeans that aren't quite as tight?

I wish some of my professors had a dress code for themselves, though

rute

Veteran

I always wear a thermal t-shirt underneath my tops! It helps a lot!

Aziraphale

Veteran

If you're OK with bootcuts, but uncomfortable at times in skinny jeans, could you try stuffing your bootcuts into winter boots (not a great look, I know) just until you get there, then change into different shoes? I used to do that a lot.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I know how to do this! I am in Manhattan in the dead of Winter almost every year - walking the streets in sub zero temperatures.

It's all about layering with the right stuff:

- fleece lined tights under skirts and dresses and booties

- shoe warmers

- stick to wool

- smart wool socks

- wearing long underwear under jeans and trousers

- thermal t's under all your tops

- tall warm boots

- two pairs of hose

- wearing a fitted jacket under a coat

- HUGE down puffer to cover it all up, with scarf, gloves and hat.

And lots and lots of hot tea all day long.

anna

I swear by my Icebreakers, thin 100% merino wool undergarments. I now often do skirts for work, with the long wool tights underneath combined with leather boots and over-the-knee wool socks.
Also, I keep a few wool shawls in my office so I can wrap myself up if I get chilly.

Anna

Makrame

Veteran

Everyone's answers sound really cozy; just reading the thread makes me feel warmer.

Crazyone, yes, I am a university professor. I guess skinnies should be OK; I see a lot of people wearing loose-fitting jeans and fleece so why not skinnies, right? I definitely don't wear any denim on teaching days, though.

I am wearing fleece-lined tights today, tall Sorel boots for the outside, changing into oxfords for indoor wear, a pencil skirt and some layered tops + a long puffer. I may have to take and post a picture later since I am not completely sure the color of the tights (black) works with the oxfords (stone-grey). I will also try experimenting with tucking straight pants or bootcuts into boots.

catgirl

Veteran

All great suggestions, and if you run as cold as I do, I'm going to throw in a recommendation for a down skirt, which is an outerwear skirt that can be worn easily over your other clothes to get you to and from your destinations, or to outdoor events. Like a down blanket for your legs... My friends even ski in the shorter ones!

http://www.skhoop.us/skirts-all.html

nancylee

Veteran

This winter I'm loving my two sweater dresses with tights and boots. I'm also depending on bootcut pants with boots, skinnies tucked into tall boots, and skirts with sweaters and scarves and tall boots.

The common denominator here is: boots!

Makrame

Veteran

After half a day at work, my feet are actually getting cold in oxfords. After reading this thread, I am considering bringing in tall lightweight boots (that I normally wear in the fall) to use as "office boots". This has never occurred to me to do before I read Lisa's post (I usually only keep flats, mules or oxfords in my office since they take up little space) but I guess there is no reason I cannot use boots as "office shoes".

rachylou

Veteran

OMG! I am in love with the down skirt! This is totally new to me!

Freckles

Veteran

Since you posted that you got cold in oxfords most of what I was going to say is not invalid.

I had a warmer office obviously as I wouldn't get cold in shoes and if I wore my boot all day in the office my feet would freeze outside.

I always found that a nice wool blazer worked well over a non wool or wool sweater. Then when the big coat got put on after to go outside into the elements I was toasty.

It depends on how you get to work too. Walking/bussing is so much colder than driving and a great hat, scarf, gloves and boots are essential.

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

Skirts & warm tights = 100% winter wear for me; but I don't wear pants.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

A down skirt. OMG, Una, this is a new one to me and I LOVE it. Gotta get me one of those!!!

I mostly work at home but sometimes teach and I do wear denim on teaching days. I just make sure my topper is a jacket. Something with structure and presence. That makes me "dressier" than 9/10 of the other profs at my university, so I don't worry too much about it. And I think a well-fitting pair of skinnies are just fine.

It's a great idea to leave your fall boots at the office and wear snow boots for the commute. That way you can choose skirt or trousers; whichever seems best for that day.

I agree absolutely that layers are key, particularly if you are walking to work. Silk underwear can be nice if it is not DEEPLY cold; it is more like wearing a slip and less bulky-feeling than some of the other thermal undies out there. But also not quite as warm.

On top I often have bra, cami, merino turtleneck, wool jacket. On bottom, tights and a skirt or thermals with pants. Boots are warmer than booties. Mittens warmer than gloves. Hats a necessity, and scarves if there is wind. My hands get very cold, so I also have a little pair of silk gloves to wear underneath my mittens!

catgirl

Veteran

Rachylou and Suz, the down skirt really IS a brilliant invention. Easy to get on and off, and keeps your legs warm (especially that gap between skirt and boots), or your booty from freezing in the car.

Elly

Veteran

I think my snow is drier than the type they get in the midwest or back east. Unless we are in the middle of a melty day (which quickly turns feet of snow into a little slush, and then into water on sidewalks and surfaces) most of the time you can just brush the snow off well when you go inside and I always end up with fairly dry pants. I don't mind barely damp hems, especially since I wear leather boots all day, which keeps it from touching legs or ankles. Things dry fast here too. I wear good-quality (frye-type) leather boots that I waterproof with warm or wool socks, and bootcuts on the average day. On a heavy snow day where I am wading through 8-12" I might wear actual "snow" type boots with pants tucked in or warm insulated hiking boots with a mid shaft. Most days I will flip just the back of ppl bootcuts up to clear the 1.5"-2" heel of my boots and that keeps them out of the worst of it without looking too silly.

Makrame

Veteran

Good point about the difference in climate, Elly. I wore tall snow boots today, and when I took them off at work I noticed that the back of one boot was covered with mud all the way to the top. And this on a 14F day, with nice fresh snow! So when I wear bootcut pants over boots, I may not notice the dirt and the dampness during the day but often end up washing the pants after one wear.