How to Dress for a Park Hang, Even When It’s Chilly

While products featured are independently selected, certain items within the “Styled By” series were provided by Gap. Cut editors chose the rest.

Time spent outside tends to nosedive in direct correlation to the current temperature. The colder it is (like today), the less willing you are when a friend invites you to a weekend picnic in the park.

But before you turn her down … clever layering can make all the difference in tolerating an afternoon outdoors spent gossiping, bird-watching, and sipping rosé. Piling on a turtleneck, flannel, sweater, and coat may seem overkill, but trust us, it’s just the right lineup to keep you cozy. We chose a mix of comfy seasonal textures to pull together a look elevated enough to wear to a casual drink date or pop by an art gallery once the sun sets.

In this look: An espresso-brown knit can easily lean toward quiet luxury, but add edgy pieces like a distressed R13 flannel and a Vaquera bag, which reads more relaxed than prim. A cream-colored turtleneck and baggy, distressed jeans make up the base layers of the whole ensemble — you don’t want to wear anything too sharply pristine if you’re sitting directly in grass and dirt. Meanwhile, après-ski add-ons, like fuzzy boots, fingerless gloves, and a furry coat, add seasonal cozy touches, and no hitting the slopes is necessary. If worst comes to worst, the coat can double as a picnic blanket, too.

The sweeping variety of materials is part of what makes this ensemble so appealing for crispy days outside. Wrapping yourself in every flavor of warm fabric possible can be executed without appearing as if you’re wearing a fabric burrito. If you’re going to layer, be purposeful about it — use a subdued print, like the pop of a flannel collar, to keep your knits from looking too blocky when combined. Also, be sure to consider the attitude of each piece. R13’s flannel, with a distressed hem and muted color palette, steers the outfit toward grunge and away from Christian Girl Autumn. Meanwhile, furry boots find the middle ground between casual sneakers and dressy loafers. We tucked the baggy jeans into them to make the choice feel a bit more purposeful.

The Look

GAP CashSoft Shaker-Stitch Crewneck Sweater

As the pendulum swings away from sharp black-on-white minimalism, neutral but soft hues like brown, nude, and gray have stepped in to offer something streamlined that still has a bit of coziness and looks good on all skin tones. This crew-neck cotton sweater has a relaxed feel with a dropped shoulder and loose fit through the arm and waist, which is ideal for layering other tops underneath, but I don’t want them to bunch weirdly or cause bulky spots. For a more fitted option, you can order down a few sizes.

$80 at Gap

Polish It Off

Building on the punky touch of the R13 flannel, the Vaquera bag, shaped like a tiny squirrel-size guitar case, doubles down on the Kurt Cobain vibe. With so many contrasting textures, this look doesn’t require much more regarding accessories. Simple everyday jewelry and a pair of sunglasses won’t take away from the rest of the outfit.