How to Wear a Pencil Skirt in the Winter

There are countless ways to style pencil skirts, but before you get to the fun part, make sure you find the right fit. A high waist is a must, but it should fall at your natural waist and not come up too high. Choose a style that won’t shorten your torso or make your legs look stumpy. You want to use the pencil skirt to elongate your frame. The high waist should cinch you at the waist and make your legs go on for miles. Accentuate that effect with high-heeled pumps.

When the weather gets colder, pencil skirts can still be a great way to make your winter wardrobe pop! First, make sure that you pick a seasonally appropriate fabric. Heavy knits like wool or tweed are your best bet for subzero temps. Or take a trendier approach with youthful leather or sparkly sequined variations that work especially well for holiday parties and nights out with friends. No matter the occasion, warm hosiery is essential. For shorter styles that hit far above the knee, you can try layering tights with thick socks and heeled ankle boots. If you want a more classic look, go for chunky cable knit stockings. No need to make your kneecaps freeze!

Layering is another important step toward keeping your pencil skirts seasonally appropriate. Wear a chiffon blouse tucked into the skirt with a chunky cardigan for extra warmth that you can shed once you step inside your heated office. Or better yet, choose a turtleneck sweater for maximum coverage! Make use of winter’s functional accessories. Scarves, faux mink stoles, and dressy gloves can take your pencil skirted ensemble to the next level and give you the look of a Mad Men-inspired vamp. If you like to layer blazers beneath your winter coat for some serious warmth, choose a jacket that goes well with your skirt. Play with texture by pairing a black suit jacket with a burgundy tweed skirt or tuck a sheer lace blouse into a leather skirt to create a mix-and-match suit, re-imagined with youthful textures.

Pencil skirts are the perfect cold weather piece for the office or that holiday party where you need to look classy but want to feel sexy. Accessories are a great way to pump up the volume on a pencil skirt ensemble. Sparkles always feel like winter. Try a glistening statement necklace covered in clear rhinestones, a jeweled knuckle-duster, or a pair of chandelier earrings.

Just because it’s unbearably cold outside doesn’t mean you need to pack away your most stylish options! A pencil skirt can still be practical and chic, even in the dead of winter.