Chill Fashion: Tips from the Pros

With the weather beginning to drop in Lawrenceville, a fashionable sense of style has become more difficult to sustain as our outfits increasingly consist of puffer jackets and out-of- dress-code sweatpants. This begs the question: what does winter fashion include, and is it even possible to be “fashionable” in such cold weather? Hear from your fellow fashion demons across campus and their advice on how to push through the winter!

Amari Akakpo ’25 states that “it’s been getting too cold to be looking fire each day” and that he’s had to
resort to wearing a puffer jacket daily due to the freezing weather. He notes that staying comfortable has been his priority, so it has been “hard to balance being warm” while “putting together fits.” Akakpo has noticed “scarves and hats” beginning to emerge from students and staff, but not too many other accessories. He described how Thaddeus Appiah-Dankwa ’25 wore a cream-colored beanie with his outfit that he “thought was tough,” demonstrating one of many ways one can customize their look. Akakpo acknowledges that some students might not want to “change their winter [out]fits up for the cold
weather,” and suggests “fashion can be whatever you make of it.” Akakpo especially emphasizes that there isn’t a “correct way” to style oneself. He leaves his fellow Lawrentians with a note, claiming, “As long as you’re comfortable and you like what you wear, you’ll be straight,” an encouraging reminder that fashion is subjective and that students shouldn’t overthink what they wear.

Hudson Brown ’26 expresses relatively stronger opinions regarding the weather and its consequences on
his fashion decisions. Brown mentions how “it’s difficult to be fashionable
when the temperature calls for puffer [jackets] and sweat[pant]s,” further outlining the several times he’s been called out for violating the dress code that prohibits wearing sweatpants to
class, urging him to contemplate buying more baggy jeans. Brown recommends “buying neutral-colored basics” that can be slapped on with anything to make a[n] [out]fit, or “gather[ing] accessories such as scarves, beanies, and earmuffs.” Brown is adamant about winter being the hardest time of the year to maintain fashion, and “can’t wait for the temperature to warm up” so he can begin “picking
out the best fits in [his] closet.”

Lucia Chen ’26 is the master of staying warm and fashionable while abiding by the dress code. Chen
recommends “stacking two [pairs of ] pants, as no one will know if you wear sweatpants under your trousers.” She also believes layering is key, as winter is “great for showing off everything in your wardrobe in one day, as long as the clothes match.” For those who prefer to maintain their autumn style but also
stay fashionable, Chen recommends “adding a simple white or plaid scarf
to your outfit, as they go with anything and are pretty low-key.” She adds that “silver jewelry is perfect for winter weather, and everyone should give silver a try this season.” However, Chen warns that lighter clothes might “blend too much with incoming snow,” so students should “be careful what color schemes [they] choose this season.”

Louis Park ’26 can only describe the winter as a “fashion survival game”: when the temperature drops,“fancy outfits get swallowed by fluffy jackets.” He notes that while they are an “absolute must for staying warm, there are only so many puffer [jackets] we can own,” and most people end up walking around campus “looking like a marshmallow.” He also notices a lack of variety in winter fashion, as most people wear “the same three colors: black, navy, or the occasional bright red.” However, Park believes winter is “prime time for cozy sweaters, crewnecks with fleece lining, and even stylish turtlenecks,” and is always excited to shed his puffers in class to reveal his hidden fit. For those who don’t want to dramatically alter their style, Park states that “layering is your best friend,” as you can continue wearing your go-to outfits, but just “throw on a thermal long-sleeve under[neath]and you’ll be good to go.”