How to Get Out of a Winter Style Rut

How to Wear Grey Tights, Blue Floral Maxi Dress, Quirk Hotel Richmond VA - How to Get Out of a Winter Style Rut by popular Washington DC style blogger Alicia Tenise

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Every year, this happens like clockwork. The holiday’s end, there’s no reason for me to rock sequins on a regular basis, and stores start carrying resort wear that I can’t wear in the dead of a Northeast winter. Every year I fall into a bit of a winter style rut, and I end up rocking a uniform. Everyone has a different winter uniform, but for me, it always ends up being an oversized sweater, jeans, and boots. Yawn.

Admittedly, whenever I look through my winter style archives on the blog, all of my outfits are a little lackluster. Going to NYFW last year during the dead of winter was a fantastic experience because it gave me much needed inspiration to up my winter style game (exhibit A and exhibit B). This year, I’m hoping to do a better job at thinking outside of the box even when it’s downright frigid out, and keeping my wardrobe fresh: and here’s how I plan on doing it!

byTiMo Floral Bohemian Duster - How to Get Out of a Winter Style Rut by popular Washington DC style blogger Alicia Tenise

Cold Weather Outfit Ideas - How to Get Out of a Winter Style Rut by popular Washington DC style blogger Alicia Tenise

Winter Style: Unexpected Layers Are Your Best Best

The remarkable thing about winter style? You can layer your little heart out! From vests to jackets to cardigans, you can pile on all the clothes and look incredibly chic while doing it. This dress is super versatile because you can either wear it like a maxi as I did, or you can unbutton it entirely and wear it as a duster over a tank and jeans. I also am a huge fan of tights, and I’m trying to play around with new colors this season. I typically gravitate to either black sheer or black opaque tights during the winter, which is a little boring, to be honest. I was sent this grey pair of Hanes Perfect Tights during a campaign I did last fall, and I love mixing grey and navy tights into my winter wardrobe to mix things up a bit.

Stuart Weitzman Tazzie Boot - How to Get Out of a Winter Style Rut by popular Washington DC style blogger Alicia Tenise

FREE PEOPLE KOLBY BRUSHED FRINGE SCARF - How to Get Out of a Winter Style Rut by popular Washington DC style blogger Alicia Tenise

Winter Style: Play Around with Different Color Palettes

I think everyone has a few neutral colors that they gravitate toward in the winter. I did an audit of my closet, and I have eight grey sweaters. Cardigans, cropped sweaters, etc. While they’re all different styles, I knew going into this winter that I did not need to buy a single new grey sweater. For any reason. At all. 

I also frequently wear black shoes and accessories during the winter, which I’m trying to switch up. I found these Stuart Weitzman shoes on sale last year, and I love a good chocolate brown shoe. I also picked up a plum pair of booties during the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale last fall that I can’t wait to put in rotation!

Winter Outfit Ideas - How to Get Out of a Winter Style Rut by popular Washington DC style blogger Alicia Tenise

How to Get Out of a Winter Style Rut - How to Get Out of a Winter Style Rut by popular Washington DC style blogger Alicia Tenise

Winter Style: Shop Your Own Closet

I am a huge, huge fan of Pinterest (p.s. — I pin pretty actively too!) I like pinning outfits on Pinterest and seeing if I can recreate a look with pieces I already own. Winter can be an expensive season to shop for: you need layers, coats, heavy boots, etc. Also, not to mention: there’s a limited amount of winter stock in stores at the moment since the holidays are over. I own a lot of clothes already yet tend to gravitate toward the same pieces when I’m stuck in a rut, so I like to turn to Pinterest to get a bit of inspiration on how to style a piece in a completely different way.

Dress: byTimo | Tights: ℅ Hanes | Boots: Stuart Weitzman | Bag: Tory Burch | Earrings: ℅ Kendra Scott | Lip: MAC ‘Rebel’

Photos by Tom McGovern

Leave a Comment

29 Comments

  1. Monique Mon-Chic wrote:

    This is something I definitely need. It happens to me every winter when I just get lazy and just totally wear casual.

    Posted 1.4.18 Reply
    • Same — I’m trying so hard to not do that this year!

      Posted 1.9.18 Reply
  2. Jenni L. wrote:

    I love how you’ve styled this dress! I often get into a style rut in the winter too.

    Posted 1.4.18 Reply
  3. So cute! I love layering!

    Posted 1.5.18 Reply
  4. Those tights look perf with this – also how good are those Perfect tights?!?! I’m OBSESSED with mine!

    Posted 1.5.18 Reply
    • I’ve been wearing these tights all winter long — they’re the absolute best!!

      Posted 1.9.18 Reply
  5. Adorable! I love those boots!

    Posted 1.5.18 Reply
  6. Mary Gui wrote:

    such a pretty dress and i love those tights!
    http://www.layersofchic.com

    Posted 1.5.18 Reply
    • Thanks Mary! These tights are a life saver!

      Posted 1.9.18 Reply
  7. YASSS QUEEN. Give me ALLLLLLL the big scarves. I love the way you styled it all together!

    Posted 1.5.18 Reply
    • Hahaha yesss, cannot resist a good cozy scarf! Thanks Jordan!

      Posted 1.9.18 Reply
  8. Ania Ropel-Sewielska wrote:

    I love your styling. That dress and the boots – perfect!

    Posted 1.5.18 Reply
  9. Narhee wrote:

    Love the dress! But also love where you took your shot!

    Narhee | Made in Mauve

    Posted 1.5.18 Reply
  10. These are great tips and loving that dress girl!

    Xx Taylor
    http://www.lightscameracatwalk.com/

    Posted 1.5.18 Reply
  11. You always look amazing! Looking forward to shopping this look!

    Posted 1.6.18 Reply
    • Aw, thank you Rebecca! It will look so fab on you!!

      Posted 1.9.18 Reply
  12. Lots of cute dresses on Rent the Runway! Thanks for sharing!

    Posted 1.6.18 Reply
  13. Morgan Michelle wrote:

    Love that dress! I love how you mentioned to try to switch up your color palette. I find myself always doing neutrals in winter, so a fun color is definately something I will be tryinf!

    Posted 1.6.18 Reply
    • Thanks Morgan! Yes I agree, it’s so easy to wear the same neurtals over and over!

      Posted 1.9.18 Reply
  14. Amanda K wrote:

    I always have a hard time finding cute things to wear in the winter. Styling leggings with a dress is such a great idea!

    xx,
    Amanda || http://www.fortheloveofglitter.com

    Posted 1.6.18 Reply
    • It’s such a struggle! These are actually tights, but I’m sure leggings would be fab with a dress too!

      Posted 1.9.18 Reply
  15. Sina Keeley wrote:

    Shopping your own closet! It’s something that I find easier to say then to do! Thanks for the reminder that I can make fabulous outfits with items I already own!

    Posted 1.6.18 Reply
    • Right??? It’s hard to remember when you have so many clothes!!

      Posted 1.9.18 Reply