The thing I miss about summer the most when it’s January is wearing all of my favorite summer dresses and skirts. I’ve created quite a special collection over the past few years, and when the days are long and gloomy, I dream about the moment I can finally wear them again.
Up until recently, Pittsburgh has been experiencing some pretty mild weather for the middle of winter. It sparked an idea – what if I actually *could* pull out some of my warm weather favorites? Is there a way I could reasonably style it for the dead of winter? Is that crazy?
My mind immediately wandered to this linen Reformation midi/maxi skirt I picked up on sale for $45 right before Christmas. I knew it would look great styled with a sweater. Linen and knitwear may be an unconventional match made in heaven. I posted about it on my Instagram, but the Ref sale is one of the BEST around. You can get gorgeous pieces for such a good deal. Be sure to be following me on Instagram because I post my favorite sales all the time!
I think you can definitely get away with a long linen piece during the winter on a milder day. A longer item – like a maxi dress or maxi skirt – is your best bet for warmth, style, and ease of pairing with knitwear. A short linen piece like a crop top, mini skirt or sundress will look seasonally out-of place.
Not to mention, you’ll probably be freezing. Linen is not the best choice for any weather well below freezing because the wind will cut right through it (that’s why it’s such a great option for the warmer months!). But if you would like to wear a colorful linen maxi skirt or floral linen maxi dress in January like me, there are several ways to make it happen.
You will need to start by styling it with a cozy piece of knitwear. This will help keep you toasty but will also balance the outfit so it’s winter-appropriate. Choose a sweater that harmonizes with whatever shade or pattern your linen is in (I’m not a big believer in waiting until after Memorial Day to wear white, but avoid it for your linen in winter). Your knitwear option should have a little bit of roomy shape to it and be slightly slouchy. This is so that when you tuck it into your skirt or toss it over your dress (use the sports bra trick), it still creates a casual look.
I’ve chosen a slightly fuzzy cardigan sweater from J. Crew Factory to wear with my Reformation skirt, but you can pick any sweater shape you’d like. I think this would also look fab with a chunky mock neck.
Next, if you are worried about your legs getting cold, you can wear the flesh-colored fleece tights under your maxi linen piece. I have seen these all over TikTok and think they would work perfectly for an outfit like this. The skirt or dress will hide the majority of the tight anyways, and it will provide an extra layer of protection between you and the elements.
For shoes, you can’t go wrong with a cute pair of sneakers. They work with the weather and are light enough to weigh down the linen (like a pair of chunky boots would). I’m wearing my favorite Vejas here. I recommend them highly if you are in the market for a pair! They are so versatile and comfortable. Ballet flats would also be great if you want to dress it up a bit.
To finish the look, I chose a gold pendant from J. Crew and a neutral bag that complimented the floral pattern of my skirt. This is a Miu Miu bag from Fashionphile. I love the size and shape – perfect for any ultra feminine outfit.
I love the way this look turned out!! There’s currently snow on the ground and below 0 feels-like temps in the Burgh, but once things get a little warmer, I’m absolutely pulling this exactly ensemble out again. Including some of my other linen and knit favorites below!
