How to wear your summer clothes in winter

How to wear summer clothes in winter by closetcoach

Modcloth sundress / Romwe cardigan / J.Crew tissue turtleneck / A|X Armani Exchange opaque tight / Avenue riding boots / J.Crew patent leather belt

This week we’re talking about re-use in your wardrobe and how to get more wear out of what you already own.

One way to do that is to extend the season in which you wear an item. Now you might not be able to wear that down coat in July, but if you do it right, you can wear your warm weather clothes nearly year ‘round.

How to winterize your summer clothes

Since the goal is to add warmth to otherwise not-so-warm garments, most of these tips involve a variation on layering. The more you pile on, the warmer you get!

Switch your footwear. If you’re easing from summer into fall, the temperature difference isn’t as great. Sometimes all you need to do is add tights and boots to an otherwise summery cotton dress to make it weather (and season) appropriate.
Layer on top. Wear your lightweight garment as the top layer over several warmer pieces. Think of a sundress over a turtleneck on the top half of your outfit–and maybe even skinny jeans or leggings on the bottom half. A cotton top you used to wear with shorts can be paired with warm cords and a long-sleeve T-shirt or even a thermal tee.
Layer underneath. Take the opposite approach; put the summer wear under the winter. Your dress becomes a skirt with a jacket or sweater over the top of it. Worn as a layering piece, a hot weather tank top becomes an innerwear item.

Here’s a bonus tip: All of these ways of layering are also really useful when you’re traveling; the more you can create outfits by layering, the fewer individual items you have to pack.

Fab mamas: Do you have any favorite warm weather items you wear into the winter? What are your winterizing tips?

Want to learn more about how to build outfits–and how to find the garments for them that flatter your body and personal style? I’ve created a new self-guided course that teaches you just that–and more. Sign up for my email list to be the first to find out when it’s available (and get a special insiders’ launch offer).