Well, well, we meet again, VillaVogue readers. I’m sending my warm regards during the snow madness we’ve been experiencing at the beginning of the 2026 season. The usual mild temperatures in the Northeast have taken a sharp, bitter turn to weeks of temperatures wavering in the teens.

My mom called me the other day to laugh at herself about how ugly her shoes were when walking in the city, but she had no choice. The game is changing this winter. The snow, the ice, the salt. Everything makes it hard for you to walk from point A to B. You have to be able to walk on ice. Do you ever reach for your old pair of UGGs before stepping into the storm? Suede boots? Knee-high heels that’ll have you cracking all the salt on the sidewalks?

The question proposed is this: Can you look stylish and still be functional? If there is anything that will open your eyes to new clothing choices, it should be this weather shift. I’m sure trudging through over a foot of snow and fighting against the strong winds while walking to class was not an easy adjustment to make on campus.

Rather than surrendering to a bulky layering of a random assortment of coats and sweaters, I’ve been attempting to gather essential wardrobe pieces that remain practical, but still allow my style to peak through. A winter wardrobe is never meant to be boring. Investing in the right elements to elevate the cozy look is the objective.

So light a candle, settle in with a soft blanket on your apartment couch or dorm room bed, take a sip of your warm tea and listen closely. Unfortunately, not much can prepare you for a “feels like minus 1 degree” day, but allow me to try.

Fuzzy Texture: 

From head to toe, fur has taken over. Faux fur jackets taken over the closets of many college students. Last weekend, my friend wore an ALO fur jacket in a sharp black shade. I adored her.

Hero Knits:

I have been searching for a large sweater that’ll keep me warm with few layers to commit to. The heavy material of a hero knit sweater does the job exceptionally.

Bundling Scarf: 

Scarves have been an essential part of keeping me warm on my walks to Bartley from my parking spot on West campus. I am currently obsessed with making a scarf the highlight of a basic go-to outfit. The pop of color, pattern and texture is fascinating.

Accessories matter, and as much as we forget how important these minor additions are, they are non-negotiable for me.

Puffer Vest: 

Once a year, my twin brother will come forth with a fashion take. This year’s hyperfixation is his puffer vest. This is something I can actually support. Men, listen in. A puffer vest over a crewneck sweatshirt or sweater keeps you cozy while running errands. The bonus is that you’ll look good doing them.

Turtleneck and Mock neck: 

My hyper fixation of the season. There is something so chic about a turtleneck and high bun combination. The best part is the tradeoff. No scarf is needed. An undershirt is optional. What’s better than that?

Here’s your first 2026 VillaVogue report. Now, if you don’t mind, I’m going to sit down around the couch with my friends, wearing my grey mock neck sweatshirt and fuzzy Birkenstocks with a smile on my face. 

See you next time.

P.S. A little piece of advice. Just wear the eight-year old UGG boots. They still look good.