Summer clothing staples for your winter wardrobe

Layering is key

Before you retire your summer clothes for the winter, you may want to rethink that. You’ll never catch me wearing anything less than an impenetrable parka once November hits but you will see me wearing shorts and a t-shirt. You’re confused, but I can explain.

T-shirts, shorts and maxi dresses are in fact, a big part of my cold weather wardrobe, in combination with warmer fabrics like cashmere, wool, faux fur and fleece. Instead of retiring your summer clothes, make the most of your wardrobe by incorporating these items into outfits suitable for winter.

The key is layering. A great pair of tights and boots can go along way to making your favourite summer pieces usable, not to mention stylish when the temperature drops.

We took seven pieces of clothing synonymous with summer and teach you just how to mix them with your sweaters, coats, vests and toasty warm cords. We’re sure they’ll all play nice.

T-shirts

Mix and match t-shirts with long sleeve tops in lightweight fabrics. You don’t want to put your t-shirt over a heavy sweater. Layer a solid coloured turtleneck underneath a striped t-shirt to cover your arms and neck. If your t-shirt is a solid colour, do the reverse and layer a patterned top underneath to keep things playful and fun.

Club Monaco Sunny Striped Tee $40; H&M Polo Neck Top, $15; Hudson Dark Denim Skinny Jean $210 (Available at Hudson’s Bay); Club Monaco Autumn Wool Coat, $349; Club Monaco Abbey Striped Leather Glove, $90; Pegabo Thiel Riding Boot, $260 (Available at Hudson’s Bay)

Maxi dress

The maxi dress is typically the first item we decide we can’t wear once it gets cold. If yours is made of a thicker jersey material, keep it on rotation until snow and slush appear. Make it cold weather appropriate by wearing tights underneath. A long cardigan that skims the length of your body, a pair of stylish booties and a scarf to cover low necklines will make for a feminine silhouette that will also keep the chill out.

Akiko Maxi Dress, $280 (Available at Craft and Guile); Rachel Rachel Roy New Wanderer Coat, $189 (Available at Hudson’s Bay); Lord and Taylor Exelda Leopard Print Calf Hair Booties, $169 (Available at Hudson’s Bay); Sistaco Star Stud – Black Crystal Studs, $40; HUE Opaque Control Top Tights in Graphite Heather, $20; Ralph Lauren Status Print Scarf, $45 (Available at Hudson’s Bay)

Denim jacket

In the summer, denim jackets serve as our outermost layer. In the winter, it becomes one of our layering pieces. Wear a warm fabric like plaid underneath your denim jacket and layer a fur vest overtop so the sleeves and collar are still visible for added texture and detail. We added suede boots and paisley cords, mixing and matching patterns for a look we can only describe as Lumber Jack chic.

Vintage Denim Jacket; Club Monaco Fur Vest; Club Monaco Violet Paisley Skinny Cord, $140; Nine West NADA booties, $185; Lauren by Ralph Lauren Plaid Shirt, $85

Boyfriend jeans

Our favourite summer trend, the boyfriend jean is actually perfect for winter. Why? Because of its baggy nature, the boyfriend jean is a great layering piece. There’s nothing worse than forcing layers that were never meant to be. Thick long johns under skinny jeans won’t flatter your backside, we promise. For a festive look, we layered sparkly knit thigh high socks under loose boyfriend jeans with heeled loafers for a more polished esthetic. The last piece of the puzzle was a crisp white coat and the season’s hottest pattern, a houndstooth sweater.

Gap 1969 Destructed Sexy Boyfriend Jeans, $80; Theory Juneau Houndstooth Knit Sweater $225 (Available at Hudson’s Bay); Club Monaco Eve Wool Coat, $398; Ecco Pawi Tassel, $200

Shorts

Again, our trusty thermal tights make shorts a viable option for winter weather. If you, like me, bought leather shorts this summer, take them with you into the winter season. Coloured or patterned tights are always a fun way to give your outfit character. We dressed up these leather shorts by pairing them with a long sleeve paisley oxford and cowl sleeve cashmere cardigan.  If you want added coverage for your gams, trade the booties in for knee-high riding boots.

Club Monaco Daniella Faux-leather Shorts, $130; Club Monaco Alba Cashmere Wrap, $379; Lauren Ralph Lauren Long Sleeved Cotton Blouse, $85 (Available at Hudson’s Bay); H&M Tights, $20; Express Side-Zip Bootie, $60; Nine West Living For The City Tote, $120; Sistaco Chain Collar, $90

Mini skirt

Style a mini skirt the same way you would shorts. Mix textures by pairing an A-line mini skirt with micro-suede, knit or even leather tights. We topped off this winter weather outfit with a studded sweater and a winter white tweed jacket. The faux fur snood lends a great accent while keeping necks warm.

Express Red Skirt, $39; Express Studded Front Sweater, $60; Whitney Eve Waffle Leggings, $79; Express Fur Snood, $56; Club Monaco Ophelia Boucle Jacket, $249; Nine West DALLI boots, $225

Winter white

Many of us are hesitant to wear white in the winter, especially stark white. No one’s telling you to sport your white linen pants this winter but you can definitely wear white skinny jeans, sweaters and coats, all in heavier fabrics, of course. White on white is a great look if you’re not literally shivering in your boots. Top off the winter ski bunny look with a fur trapper hat.

Jayee Peplum Sweater, $130 (Available at Craft and Guile); Elizabeth and James Culkin Jacket in Ivory, $519 (Available at Hudson’s Bay); Hudson Jeans, $210 (Available at Hudson’s Bay); Indigo Fur Trapper Hat, $35; Nine West DIYELLA boot, $285

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