It’s that time of year—as December quickly approaches and Christmas music takes over the radio, we can no longer live in denial of the cold weather. First and foremost, that means wearing clothes that won’t make us completely dread trekking across campus. And as any girl can tell you, there’s much less motivation to wear dresses when all we want to do is stay curled up beneath the covers. But sometimes, finding the right dress—one that’s cute AND promises to keep you warm—is all it takes. With the addition of sweater tights (look here for some cheap ones) and a pair of boots, these dresses are sure to liven up your winter wardrobe.
The Preppy Look
J.Crew Maritime Dress in Heathered Stripe, $98
At Kenyon there’s certainly an abundance of hipsters, but fear not, the preppy look is still a classic and surprisingly easy to pull off. The black and grey stripes on this J.Crew dress make it versatile; match it with a simple belt or chunky necklace (or even wear it accessory-less if you’re in a hurry) and you’re good to go. And since it’s made from heavyweight cotton, it’s sure to keep you warm as you fight the blustery winds on your walk to class.
The Girly Look
ASOS Swing Dress in Floral Print, $49.25
Floral prints may seem more appropriate for spring and summer, but against a dark backdrop, they can be carried over into the colder months. What sets this dress apart from others is the shape—it swings back and forth as you walk, which makes it even more eye-catching and cute. An added bonus? It’s made out of jersey, so it’s super soft. Given the high neckline and pattern, you don’t even need to worry about accessories. Just throw on your sweater tights and boots and off you go.
The Cozy (Yet Still Stylish) Look
Madewell Après-Ski Dress, $110
Nothing says winter like a nice comfy sweater, but that look can become tired really fast. That’s where this Madewell dress comes in: it’s woolen and warm, but gives you a shape and some extra flair. Orange may not be the easiest color to pull off, but if you keep the accessories to a minimum (and avoid adding anything else bright), you can do it!
The Going Out Look
Forever 21 Cheetah Print Sweater Dress, $22.80
If there’s anything more unpleasant than walking across campus on a cold December day, it’s walking across campus on a cold December night. Sweater dresses suited for going out are not easy to find, which makes this Forever 21 dress an essential. The feisty animal print makes a fun statement for a night out, along with keeping you (or at least the parts of you that it covers) from freezing. It won’t make too big of a dent in your wallet.
The Holiday Look
Anthropologie Metallic Dolman Sweater Dress, $148
Whether it’s Thanksgiving or Christmas, you’re bound to have some celebration coming up that will require you to wear more than sweats. Why not go in style in this Anthropologie dress? It’s cozy but has just the perfect amount of sparkle to be something really special. Dress it up with heels and flashy jewelry, or keep it simple. Either way, it’ll keep you warm and in the holiday spirit.
Photo credits:
J.Crew, ASOS, Madewell, Forever 21, Anthropologie