December 20, 2021
Is it cold yet where you are? (Northern Hemisphere, obviously!) Chicago is NOT “Winter cold” – more still like Autumn… With the first day of Winter tomorrow, I still don’t think it’s going to suddenly snow and get freezing cold!
That said, it’s still cold enough to wear layers – I’ve been layering 2 tops, and then wearing a down vest as my outerwear. With a scarf and gloves, I have been warm enough, so far.
So all of these outfits are right in my wheelhouse!
Cotton turtlenecks are great for warmth, for bringing some much-needed light and plainness under a bold or bright top, or for giving you some softness under a scratchy sweater. My favorite fisherman knit crewneck is itchy as heck, so I never wear it without a shirt or turtleneck under it…
If you love wearing camel, but it feels too dark in the middle of the darkest days, a light top underneath can make a lot of difference:
Fair Isle sweater – Frank & Oak; earrings – Argento Vivo; ivory turtleneck – Lands’ End; fleece-backed pants – L.L.Bean; cashmere cabled scarf – UGG; boots – Steve Madden
This turtleneck is actually tunic length! For layering under a dress, this could be brilliantly warm…
For travel, you could layer up 2 tops, and upon arrival, duck into a private spot and take off the turtleneck…
Striped sweater – Treasure & Bond; earrings – Gemondo; ivory turtleneck – Lands’ End; navy knit cords – L.L.Bean; scarf – Mulberry; boots – Ryka
If you like a light neutral pair of pants, a matching turtleneck gives you that lovely solid column, over which you can wear pretty much anything!
Tea rose fleece top – Lands’ End; earrings – Talbots; grey turtleneck – H&M; grey sweatpants – L.L.Bean; scarf – Nicoletta Rosi; boots – Ryka
Maybe you feel that the neckline of your sweater is just a bit too wide for comfort in the cold weather…
Sweater – Demylee; earrings – Candela Jewelry; ivory turtleneck – Lands’ End; twig corduroy pants – L.L.Bean; scarf – Fiorio; boots – Aqua College
Get yourself festive! If you invest in a quality pair of holiday earrings, you can dress with that theme for years…
Dress – Lands’ End; gold reindeer earrings – Saks Fifth Avenue; ivory turtleneck – Lands’ End; rubellite scarf – Lands’ End; boots – Munro
The v-neck sweater that you wore earlier, and that you will wear when the weather warms up, doesn’t have to hang in your closet through the coldest weather:
Black marl sweater – Nordstrom; earrings – Kate Spade; turtleneck – L.L.Bean; ponte knit pants – Liverpool; scarf – Lands’ End; boots – Easy Spirit
Of course, if you live where it never gets really cold, this is your week to double-check your long-sleeved tee shirts, or whatever you wear when you have your coldest temperatures.
I do believe that it will get cold. I do….
love,
Janice
p.s. Six years ago, I was just back from Paris! It’s hard for me to read these old Paris posts; I haven’t been to Paris in 23 months, which is kind of forever in my world!
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The grey column sings to me! I’d wear it with red or purple or teal or vivid coral or a crew neck in vivid stripes (or other pattern.) so many possibilities.
My neck must be warm. Last year l wore (and washed)my ivory and grey polo-necks (turtlenecks) that I had to buy duplicate this year. I have polo-necks in many different accent colours and patterns too. I wear long sleeve tops under polo neck chunky jumpers.
I love the pink and grey outfit too as I’m wearing more pastels this winter.
It’s quite grey and cool in southern England though colder weather is forecast for Christmas.
Beth T – I didn’t see your question regarding the shades being drawn until yesterday – I replied on Friday’s thread if you are still interested in what I was referring to.
I’ve just read your reply. I had not thought of that – blimey. UK law is stringent, so that isn’t a problem. I’m glad that your students have you to cheer them up.
I just ordered the Lands End fleece dress in black and noticed the one featured today is only $11.99! Sadly, these are not my colors but hopefully another TVF reader will enjoy a huge bargain!
Thanks for the info. I just nipped over to lands end site and they have a couple others marked way down. A red plaid, I think. In fact they are having a massive sale, as I’m sure most retailers are, and I might get some basics. As to the turtleneck, between living in a mild climate and hot flashes, I don’t find them as comfortable as others might find them. But I am looking at my T shirts as substitutes.
The first two are speaking to me. The brown, and the brown and navy. I layer (a lot) and it’s a bit colder today, so was already planning today’s outfit to include at least two layers. Really love that brown and navy. Just received some green items I ordered from LL Bean from a previous post. The green seems especially holiday-ish to me. Not that I won’t wear it all year round! Thank you Janice.
I’m in the northern hemisphere, but I think we’re going to just keep going with fall weather all winter. It’s going to be 81 on Christmas Eve. LOL! And no, I don’t live in Florida – I live in Central Texas. My issue is finding comfortable tees with scoop necks and 3/4 sleeves. Being petite, I don’t really like long sleeves and I can’t abide things around my neck. Lands End used to carry a good selection of tops like those, but I haven’t seen any this year.
I would try LLBean because I’m a petite too and I have a couple from there – 3/4 sleeves and scoop neck. They have a great selection of colors as well as other necklines to choose from.
I live close to you, and yes, it is still pretty warm. My family and I turned on our gas fireplace yesterday because it only got up to 50, but the temps are going back up by Christmas. I don’t wear turtlenecks either—I don’t like fabric close to my neck like that. I have some long-sleeved shirts I bought from LL Bean years ago that I wear instead. I’m hoping they will last awhile, since I don’t wear them often!
J.Jill and Talbots both have good petites. I don’t care for three-quarter sleeves as they are too hot or not warm enough. I have a couple of things with that sleeve length and keep thinking I should move them along as I rarely wear them. 80″s is too hot for Christmas but oh well!
Debra,
Talbot’s usually has 3/4 sleeves in petite lengths. I am 5’ tall myself and like the 3/4 sleeves as well. Their t shirts are well made. I am still wearing ones I bought in 2016!
Merry Christmas Janice!
Thanks for all your inspiration. Your posts have changed the way I look at putting clothes together. Your posts are always clever, thoughtful and helpful. Thank you so much.
So, while I wouldn’t choose that fleece dress, I am so curious what you would were on your legs with that combo. Can you include tights recommendations with your dresses during these winter months? I’m over the bare-legged look.
Love your posts, Janice. Love that you feel like someone I know, like, and admire.
I almost always wear HUE opaque tights that I get at the Nordstrom Rack on State Street:
These are the warm ones:
https://shopstyle.it/l/bB3nH
And these are the more normal opaque ones:
https://shopstyle.it/l/bB3nK
I buy the biggest size that I can wear that won’t fall down off my hips, or sag around my ankles. I always feel like if I struggle to get into them, they’re too small!
I also once had a pair of fleece-lined tights that were toasty warm. I don’t remember where I found them, but I’ll look around to see if I can see something similar. I could use another pair!
hugs,
Janice
German and European tights are often fleece lined. I have a couple of cosy pairs.
Last year I saw fleece-lined tights in Bed Bath and Beyond, of all places! I haven’t seen them this year, but they might be online.
I know what you mean about the bare legged look. If it’s cool enough for a fleece dress, surely it’s cold enough for tights or leggings under it!
Good Morning Ladies!! I live in Arizona and we are having our first cold!! I LOVE it!! So many of these combo’s I just loved Janice!! The black and white one would look adorable with a skirt and black tights with those adorable shoes!! LOVED the Camel combo and the Navy combo so much!! Have a very blessed Christ-mas!!
It’s plenty cold here in Calgary. I love that you are showing all these great boots. I’ve started wearing these cotton turtlenecks a lot too.
I live in Juneau, Alaska and it is cold. This morning it was 7 F clear and cold, but wait snow for tomorrow. I like the gray column best. I wear lots for color can’t imagine why must be the short amount of sunlight.
Happy Holidays to everyone.
Weather in St Paul MN has been pretty typical this month…highs below freezing these days but not the very cold weather that is no doubt coming. These outfits would all be appropriate for the weather right now.
I don’t wear turtlenecks because I run warm and like to control how much my neck is exposed indoors…so scarves are easier for me. But I am tempted by the fleece dress from Lands End! Luckily none of the prints are ringing my bell because I really don’t need any new clothing, even at a great sale price.
I am glad you returned to this format for the WTW. I like seeing more examples for the week’s wardrobe item. Thank you so much!
I used to be the turtle-neck queen for winter, but since menopause I need to loosen up my layers quickly! I tend towards long sleeved t’s, vests, and a scarf I can unwind quickly!
Love all these looks, and can personalize them to my taste. Love that most of the boots have a bit of sherpa fleece to add warmth and look cosy!
Love the idea of a fleece dress, but fleece sticking to tights would be an issue, then a slip is needed. I find the same with sweater dresses. A slip is in order for this, I think.
It’s definitely wintery here, in fact my work shut down early because of a snowstorm, hubby is out shoveling while I get my daily dose of Janice! thank you.
Hello, Janice – could you please fix the link to the Gemondo earrings in the photo under the ivory turtleneck? They look gorgeous! When I go to the Gemondo site I’m having a hard time identifying the exact earrings. Thank you!