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What to Wear in 20 Degree Weather?

by 陈菁 19 Jun 2025

What to wear in 20 degree weather? Many women may not have thought about this question at all, because where they live, such cold temperatures may not appear for decades. However, for many people in high latitudes and high altitudes, 20 degree weather is too common.

Many people wrap themselves up tightly in various thick cotton-padded coats and sweaters to keep warm. Yes, this will keep you warm, but it will make you look bulky and unfashionable. Our philosophy has always been that warmth and fashion are not contradictory. With some skills, we can create a look that is both warm and attractive. So to achieve this goal, what can we wear in 20 degree weather?

a lady in a down coat
a lady in a black sweater, a pair of black pants and a faux suede long coat

Fabrics Suitable for 20 Degree Weather

The weather of 20 degree is already very cold, so we need clothes made of fabrics that have very good thermal insulation properties. After all, the warmer the fabric is, the less we need to add thickness, and the lighter the overall look will be. The fabrics that meet these needs and are particularly suitable for a 20 degree winter mainly include:

Wool and cashmere. When it comes to fabrics with good thermal insulation properties, most people will probably mention wool and cashmere first. These two fabrics really have a lot of advantages. Not only are they warm, but they are also soft to the touch and very skin-friendly. In addition, wool products have strong moisture absorption and breathability, and can even absorb 30% of their own weight in water. So in many cases, a thin wool knit top will be warmer than many layers of cotton or linen tops stacked together. Even if you sweat after strenuous exercise, you don’t have to worry about the sweat accumulates in the top and making your skin uncomfortable.

Down. When it comes to warmth retention, down is even better than wool and cashmere. This is because down has a more fluffy fiber structure, and a down filling layer with a down content of more than 80% will have an unparalleled warmth effect.

High density nylon. High-density nylon applied with a waterproof coating has a tight structure and excellent windproof performance, which can effectively block the invasion of cold wind. The waterproof coating on its surface can prevent the clothes from being soaked by melted snow. At the same time, nylon is strong and durable, making it suitable for making coats for outdoor activities.

Polyester. Fleece is a very representative polyester fiber thermal insulation fabric. This fabric is light and wear-resistant. It dries quickly after washing, and is easy to care for. In addition, fleece is cheap and cost-effective, making it a common choice for people to keep warm in winter.

Mulberry silk. Surprisingly, mulberry silk, which is often worn in summer and has a cool feel, is also very good at keeping warm. It is thin and lightweight, but has the warmth keeping performance almost as good as wool. And because it is so smooth and skin-friendly, it is perfect as a base layer for layering in winter.

a lady in a black vest, a pair of black shorts and a red wool coat
a lady in a grey alpaca wool coat with shawl

Fashionable Outfit Ideas for 20 Degree Weather

The street and unisex style:

Cool street and unisex style doesn't mean flimsy clothes. In order to create a street-style unisex look for the 20 degree weather, you need a dark-colored jacket as an outer layer and a pair of cargo pants as a bottom. Inside the jacket, you need a wool knitted top and a down vest to keep warm. And under the loose cargo pants, you also need to wear a pair of wool pants to cope with the cold.

The retro style:

Even in 20 degree weather, it is not difficult to create a retro look. There are many elements that have a retro and nostalgic atmosphere. You just need to arrange and combine these elements reasonably to ensure the harmony of the overall look. For example, you could choose a distressed black leather jacket and pair it with a pair of corduroy pants. As for the inner layer, you can wear a lapel wool sweater to maximize the retro atmosphere.

The minimal commuting style:

For commuting or other formal and semi-formal occasions, minimalist style is the most suitable. A long wool coat in a dark color is great for creating a professional and capable look. At the same time, you can wear a mock neck knit top as an inner layer. A pair of draped wide-leg pants is also perfect for this style. Or, for a neater outfit, you can also choose a pair of skinny pants and pair it with knee-length boots.

The Y2K style:

For ladies who prefer the cute and lively style, a Y2K style outfit is best for highlighting your uniqueness. The core of Y2K clothing style is to boldly use bright colors and contrasting colors. So, don't shy away from fluorescent items! You can challenge a fluorescent pink or yellow down jacket and wear a laser reflective sweatshirt inside. For the bottom, choose a pair of shiny gold or silver pants. Your overall look will be charming!

Accessories to Wear in 20 Degree Weather

No matter what the occasion is or what style we are creating, we all need some accessories to complement our outfit, and this is no exception even in 20 degree weather. Moreover, in such a cold environment, some accessories can also help keep out the cold.

You need a hat for your head definitely. If you want to create an elegant and retro look, a beret is the first choice. Although berets are mostly seen as a decoration, there is no doubt that a woolen beret can also play a great role in keeping warm. In addition, if you like cute style, you can choose a knitted hat with a wool ball, which will make your overall style age-reducing and more quirky.

For extra warmth and a highlight of your outfit, don’t forget to wear a scarf. A beige wool scarf with a checkered pattern is a great choice, and if you don't have a hat, you can unfold the scarf and wear it as a headscarf.

Since you need to wear a hat and most likely a mask and earmuffs, the headwear and earrings we usually discuss may not be suitable for this weather. However, you can pin a brooch or badge on your coat. Whether it's a brooch that has special meaning to you or a delicate silver brooch, it will add a touch of sophistication to your look.

There is no doubt that various kinds of boots are the most suitable footwear for this temperature. As for whether to choose a pair of ankle boots, a pair of long boots or a pair of Martin boots, it has something to do with the length of your pants and the overall style of your outfit. For long and loose bottoms, a pair of ankle boots is the perfect choice. While for the skinny pants, a pair of long boots are useful to modify your leg lines. For creating the street styled outfit, choose a pair of Martin boots which will fully show your coolness.

a lady in a brown knit top, a wool skirt and a wool coat
a lady in a black down jacket, a beige sweatshirt and a pair of grey jeans

Other Dressing Tips to Pay Attention to

20 degrees weather is considered extremely cold, so for the sake of health, there are many details to pay attention to when it comes to dressing, especially for the elderly and children who are more vulnerable. Specifically, the following dressing minefields need to be avoided:

☃️Don't neglect keeping your head and face warm. Compared with the body, many people tend to neglect keeping the head and face warm, thinking that even if they get cold, it is no big deal and they will recover in a short while. But in reality, the consequences may be far more serious than you think. The head is rich in blood vessels and has thin skin. Cold stimulation may cause cerebral artery spasm, which may induce symptoms such as migraine and transient cerebral ischemia. Cold on the face may also cause frostbite of the cornea and ear canal. So don't forget to wear a knitted beanie and a pair of furry earmuffs when you go out in 20 degree weather. Not only will this protect your head and face, it will also add a cute vibe to your look.

☃️Don’t forget to keep your hands and feet warm. There are a large number of sensory nerve endings in the hands and feet, and the fat content is extremely low, so numbness, tingling and other discomforts are prone to appear in a low temperature environment. To keep your hands and feet fully warm, you'll need a pair of thick gloves and a pair of snow boots.

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