Dressing comfortably for Florida’s colder temperatures can be difficult, especially when you need to follow a dress code. Some students feel that not being able to wear certain clothing, like jeans, restricts their style and comfort in colder weather.
Although the dress code limits popular items like jeans, most hoodies and sweatpants, there are many other ways for you to dress to stay warm, fashionable, and in dress code during the winter season.
Style and Layer!
Layers play a key role in the coziness of your winter outfit and offer a wide range of ways to spruce up plain looks. Consider finishing your outfits with a leather jacket or a cute cardigan. Director of Alumni Relations and faculty advisor of the fashion club Elizabeth McIntosh advocates for layering.
“You can really dress it up and be unique with whatever sweaters you choose as long as you layer,” McIntosh said. “Sometimes sweaters can be itchy.”
Suggested warm styles include a turtleneck under a cozy sweater, dress shirts, or a colored polo with a fun sweater on top or a jacket over a long-sleeve. Tenth grader Sam Sickler has a simple styling tip for layering.
“I think that tucking in a shirt can make [an outfit] look really good,” Sickler said. “A closer, thinner sweater with a dress shirt tucked in with a belt looks really good and chic.”
In the end, it’s all about experimenting with your own style and wearing whatever feels comfortable to you. Some great affordable stores to shop for winter clothes in general include Target, Gap, Old Navy and Kohl’s.
Everyone Loves Sweaters
One top in particular seems to be a favorite among both teachers and students: the sweater. With a sweater, students have more freedom, as it just needs to be plain or have a TPS, college or university logo. For Sickler, one kind of shop in particular offers the best sweaters.
“We need to start getting sweaters at vintage shops and thrift stores because they’re really cute,” Sickler said. “I love them.”
Sickler recommends shopping and thrifting for sweaters at places like Avalon Exchange, Goodwill, Salvation Army, Uptown Cheapskate and Omg! Thrift.
“What’s fun about sweaters is that they come in all shapes, sizes, and colors,” McIntosh said.
For example, sweaters can be fitted or baggy; some have puffier sleeves than others, and some are made from a wide array of different materials. The options are endless—golf sweaters, crewnecks, quarter-zips, plaid sweaters, wool sweaters, etc. Once college admissions roll in, wearing a college sweatshirt is a fun way for seniors to represent where they’re going to college.
Jean Alternatives
While jeans are common to find in someone’s closet in any state, not everyone has a wide array of pants in their wardrobe, especially in a warm state like Florida. Being unable to wear these versatile pants can make it harder to find pants to go with all sorts of tops. While you should take advantage of the ability to wear jeans on spirit days, there are many stylish and warm alternatives.
“Athleta and Lululemon and those kinds of manufacturers are making pants that are more like work pants,” McIntosh said. “They’ve got the stretch and the nice feel of that athletic idea, but they look a little bit more professional.”
Chino pants, twill pants and dress pants are all perfect for keeping out the cold while staying in dress code, especially those with a flared or baggy look with some drape. According to Sickler, cute dress pants can be found at Yhone.
Leggings and tights are another way to keep your legs warm. They’re permitted by the dress code as long as they are underneath something such as a dress or a skirt.
“I think there’s definitely ways to experiment with some cold-weather wear with skirts, boots, and tights—things like that,” co-founder of the Fashion Club and senior Gracie Asher said.
Asher finds good, stylish, but school-appropriate pants at Artizia. However, she notes it can be more on the expensive side. Other stores she recommends that have great pant options include Pacsun, Edikted, Levi’s and Urban Outfitters.
Accessorizing is Key
With many dress code policies promoting more plain clothing, accessories are the perfect go-to to add flavor and personality to your outfits – whether it’s through a good pair of boots or some colorful jewelry. A highly recommended combo for this winter would be fuzzy socks under boots such as Uggs.
“I would definitely recommend a good pair of cozy warm socks because when your feet are cold, you’re just freezing the whole time,” Asher said.
Described as comfy, classic and warm, Uggs are a popular sight on campus during the winter season. But there’s another trending boot to consider wearing during the colder months. Biker boots, also called moto or harness boots, seem to be the move for the winter.
“I’ve recently bought a pair, and I love them,” Sickler said. “They’re a really good staple … To me, they’re timeless.”
