How to dress vintage when it’s cold

How to dress vintage when it’s cold is a nagging question I’ve been trying to find an answer to for the past few years, and I believe, I finally got it right!

It’s all fine and dandy to wear your favourite vintage suit or slacks underneath a lightweight coat if the temperature in autumn and winter is mild. When it gets to – 5ºC however and you have a very low tolerance to cold, the idea of swapping your stylish boots for a pair of UGGs sounds better and better the colder it gets.

Staying warm without compromising vintage style can be rather tricky, but I have a few ideas which might help my fellow vintage ladies. [Scroll down the page to find out more!]

How to dress in vintage when it’s cold!

1. Warm undergarments are a lifesaver!
2. Tights on top of tights-it’s all in the layers.
3. Thanks to sheepskin insoles you don’t have to give up your pretty shoes.
4. Vintage-inspired faux fur from Helen Moore will add a lot of glamour to your vintage look and keep you toasty.
5. The 1930s or 1940s 100% woollen jacket and skirt, are the best winter investments!

Tips on how to dress vintage when it’s cold;

• Proper undergarments are definitely the key to staying warm in winter. I usually buy my lightweight Merino wool top and leggings from an equestrian shop and believe me when I say that they are a real lifesaver on colder days. Being warm but thin enough to wear under fitted vintage garments, they definitely don’t cause any undesired bulkiness. I also recommend underwear for skiing, as it will insulate you while wicking away moisture from your body.

How clean your vintage undergarments!

If you would like to learn how to clean vintage, head to my post “How to clean vintage clothes headache free!”

DISCLOSURE; As of October 2021 I’m part of the Shop Style Collective affiliate program, and I get a commission for purchases made through some of the links in this post. When you purchase a product via the link in my post you are helping to keep my website alive for which I’m very grateful!

I handwash all my vintage and contemporary lingerie and hosiery with Eucalan Wrapture!

Don’t underestimate the power of tights!

• I love to wear tights as much as stockings, especially when they have an interesting pattern, which is why Wolford is always my number one brand when it comes to hosiery. They keep my legs warm and are the perfect accessory for any vintage ensemble, giving it that slightly modern twist.

Wool is your best friend in autumn & winter!

• I buy a lot of the 1940s and 1950s skirt suits and separates made of wool which, are simply irreplaceable in the colder months! The new to me 1940s Koret of California suit is made of 100% wool and so warm that I often don’t need a coat, even on cold winter days.

• Wearing a cape on top of a coat is an excellent idea. I’ve been collecting antique and vintage capes for years but a vintage-inspired one will also do the trick. Winter gloves and muff are a must! I’m currently considering making one myself, so stay tuned!

• Finding winter-appropriate shoes that will go with my 1930s-1950s ensembles still feels like a mission impossible. The pretty ones are never warm enough and the warm ones are never pretty enough to pair with vintage garments. I  did, however, find what seems like the perfect solution for wearing beautiful shoes and not freezing to death. Sheepskin insoles! You can find them in any size and they will keep your feet toasty!

A luxurious vintage-inspired faux fur hat will add a lot of glamour to any outfit and keep you warm.

• Cover your ears! Earmuffs appear to be the prefered choice for cold weather, for many of the vintage ladies I know. I, however, look rather terrible wearing them, so they are definitely not an option for everyone.
• Thankfully, my favourite faux fur brand, Helen Moore makes the prettiest and warmest vintage-inspired hats, scarfs and stoles!

• A faux or real fur stole is the perfect alternative or even a replacement for a hat and a scarf. A huge collar found in a lot of 1920s coats will protect the neck and head from harsh wind. I’m currently working on an idea, to make a giant, faux fur detachable collar.

When you still feel cold, despite following all my tips and suggestions, the last resort would be to buy a large piece of wool or fleece fabric and sew it into your coat. Alternatively, you can consider moving somewhere warm for the duration of the colder months.

Whichever option you choose, remember that Spring is only a few months away.

On this cold autumn day, I opted for;

• A 1940s skirt suit made of burgundy and green wool houndstooth tweed I purchased from Bride Of The Fox. You can read more about that incredible vintage shop here!
• A 1950s hair snood is the perfect solution for keeping the vintage hairstyle intact during windy days.
• Winter bejewelled gloves from Her Curious Nature.
• Lea Wolford tights.
• Warm undergarments from an equestrian shop.

Photography; Gregory Michael King

You might be also interested in my article WINTER ESSENTIALS FOR THE VINTAGE GIRL.

Read about How to wear 1950s clothing in autumn!

This post was featured on the Links à la Mode fashion roundup by Independent Fashion Bloggers.