The Winter Formal is this Saturday but half of the school hasn’t had the chance to experience this sort of event before. To help you decide what you’ll wear on the only meaningful night in February, we put together a small dress guide to help you plan a look that’ll keep you warm, but oh-so-stylish.
To begin, layer your dress (or skirt or sweater) over a thin layer. Try a patterned turtleneck for something fashionable, a collared shirt if you think you’ll remove any layers throughout the night, or a sheer long sleeve for a cute, cool (no pun intended) look. Although fire or ice-themed color schemes are encouraged, consider foregoing icey or firey elements if they become too difficult to style. Consider wearing tights underneath a skirt or dress to add a layer of insulation. Opt for a warm thermal to wear underneath a button-up to ensure that you don’t get too cold.
Next, select a warm layer to place over the base you’ve put together. Although this step is optional, it’s highly encouraged! This is a great time to break out that cardigan you haven’t worn all year or your favorite coat that’s a little too fancy to wear to school. Bonus point if you can match the colors of your outerwear to what you’re wearing underneath! Although we won’t have a coat-check this year, if you get too hot, extra layers can be left in the car or at a table with someone who isn’t dancing.
And now for the dreaded shoe decision. Since the Winter Formal is only semi-formal, comfortable shoes are absolutely allowed (and even encouraged). White, blue, red, or orange tennis shoes are a great way to tie in the theme without going overboard. If you’re a fan of the TikTok twee revival, try a pair of low-top loafers or dress shoes with crew socks. Regardless, you should be able to walk comfortably for an extended period of time, so break in any options that you haven’t worn very much.
The Winter Formal is a low-stakes night that, although can be fun, doesn’t call for any considerable preparation. When deciding what to wear, look for an outfit that feels true to you. At the end of the day, prioritizing personal wellbeing should be your primary intention.
