How to dress for frat parties in the winter

I hate when it gets cold enough outside that the air makes my face hurt. Yet here I am in the middle of January, dealing with weather that creates the exact frigid pain I hate. When I go to class, I wear layers upon layers of clothing because I hate being cold… especially when waiting for the buses. Just when I thought a 10 minute walk to Scott Hall was torture, I soon realized that I’d be faced with the challenge of going out in this weather… and I was forced to get creative if I wanted to survive.

The beginning of the first semester was easy. There was no air conditioning, and it was socially acceptable to walk around in a sports bra and short shorts because it was just that hot. Going to parties, which meant enduring even hotter environments set in stifling basements, was easy because you simply had to throw on minimal clothing and it was considered a put together, sexy outfit. But as the weather changed, our styles for going out had to conform as well.

How I wish it was socially acceptable to dress while going out to parties during the winter.

Partying in the winter has been a trying experience, and dressing for the occasion is undeniably challenging. While wanting to go out on Friday nights in January, the cold winter nights have opposed me with the difficulty of dressing in typical party wear such as crop tops, tank tops, sleeveless tops, mini dresses, etc. while walking in 20 degree whether because ya’ girl doesn’t have the money to spend on an Uber. So, how does someone brave the winter cold but avoid sweating through their clothes at a party?

Flannels

The first answer is flannels. I was blessed with an affinity for flannels and came to school with enough to dress myself and lend some to my friends. We usually wear crop tops and leggings, and then hug the flannel tight around our body as we run to the party (because let’s be honest, although a flannel is helpful it’s not a North Face jacket). Then once we get there we either tie it around our waist, throw it in a bush outside the house, or just hold it throughout the night if we know we won’t lose it.

My only tip is don’t wear one of your favorite flannels out. I had one with fur in it that was a favorite in my friend group because it provided that extra warmth, and we gave it to the DJ to hold onto at the party and never saw it again. There is a chance that flannels will be lost throughout the night, so only use ones that you wouldn’t mind possibly losing.

Long sleeve crop tops

But maybe you’re not a flannel type of girl. Maybe, just maybe, you hate flannels so much and refuse to wear them. That’s okay. There’s alternatives.

A long sleeve crop top is another option. This is better than wearing a full long sleeve shirt because more skin is showing, therefore it’ll be more comfortable when you’re dancing in a crowded basement. The sleeves mimic the support of a flannel, so when you’re walking through the piercing cold you have an extra layer of fabric covering your arms. The best part about this outfit is that you don’t need to carry any additional articles of clothing, and you can always roll your sleeves up at the party if it gets too hot.

Long sleeve shirts

Additionally, just wearing a sexy long sleeve shirt can work. If you really are daunted by walking in the cold, then just rolling up your sleeves in the basement can be a suitable option. Also, if you can go outside at the party every once in a while to cool down, this option isn’t that bad…

Long sleeveless shirts

If you don’t like crop tops in general and think it’s absolute insanity to wear a half-shirt in such freezing weather, a long sleeveless shirt is also a great option! This leaves a lot more skin showing than a regular long sleeve shirt or cold shoulder shirt, but is also warm enough that you can deal with the walk to parties without a flannel. Pairing this with jeans or leggings is a great idea, however I recommend leggings because they’re more breathable.

…Or pretend it’s still summer

Of course, you can do it the old fashioned way. Wear your crop top, wear your sleeveless blouses, wear your tank tops just as proudly as you did during the summer, and simply run as fast as you can to your destination!