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When it's cold outside, slipping into a revealing, tight-fitting dress and heels is not your first choice. You can still look hot when the temperature drops, as long as you keep it practical. If there's a chance you could slip on ice or the snow is a couple feet high, steer clear of stilettos. As Chicagoans learned long ago, it's possible to mix warm, safe and sexy.
Snow and Slush
There's a big difference in what you need to wear in the snow and slush, and what works on dry, cold winter evenings. Break out the suede boots on cold days without snow and slush. Snowy days call for a pair of waterproof boots with good traction. Knee-high boots are the "go to" footwear for winter dating. You can pair your boots with sweater dresses or leggings and skinny jeans. Knee-high boots also work well for more formal events with a dress or pencil skirt.
Warm and Classic Coat
Take your time when you shop for a winter coat, especially if winter dates are in your future. Dressing like a marshmallow is great for a sledding date, but you need something more sophisticated when you're heading out to dinner. Long, wool coats -- preferably belted -- always look classic. Try on several styles of coats until you find one that keeps you warm, but doesn't hide all of your curves.
Wear Your Hat
Wear a hat and mittens if the weather calls for it. Freezing to death for the sake of fashion will not endear you to your date. Don't choose thin jackets, stilettos and barely there clothing for your winter date; you'll end up looking silly. Instead, invest in a sophisticated, warm coat, and search until you find a coordinating hat, mittens and scarf. Keep your options open by purchasing cashmere (or cashmere-like) scarves, hats and gloves in a few different colors. On warmer days, skip the coat and pair the scarf, hat and mittens with a sweater.
Sweaters
Sweaters are a tricky business. Pulling off a bulky sweater is easy if you are a supermodel. For the rest of us, however, bulky sweaters just make us look, well, bulky. Turtlenecks and cowl-necks make great alternatives to big sweaters. If you're curvier, opt for slimming sweaters with bat-wing sleeves and open necklines. Pair a solid color sweater or turtleneck with a patterned scarf and jeans. If the date is a bit dressier, switch the jeans for a pencil skirt, tights and boots.
