Recently I’ve noticed quite a few of you have been arriving here looking for tips on what to wear with a parka, so I figured I should probably answer that for you, lest you leave disappointed!
Now, to be completely honest, I consider the humble parka to be mostly a practical garment. I have one and love it (You can see me wearing it here, if you’re particularly interested…): it’s without a doubt the warmest piece of outerwear I’ve ever owned, and that fact alone makes it one of my favourite new acquisitions of the winter. What it’s not, however, is an item of clothing I make a particular effort to “style”, or to build an outfit around: instead, it’s the kind of coat I reach for when I have to walk the dog, or run errands on a snowy day, not the kind that I consider to be particularly representative of my personal style.
With that said, there’s no doubt that parkas have become a little more fashionable in recent years, so, in a bid to answer the question that brought some of you to the site, here are ways to wear a parka!
parka / sweater / jeans / boots
This is more or less how I wear my parka: it’s always going to be a very casual, laid-back kind of item as far as I’m considered, so jeans, a cable-knit sweater and a pair of Wellington boots are perfect for the kind of weather I end up wearing it in!
parka / leggings / sweater / boots / scarf
For a slightly smarter look, I’ve paired this black parka with a pair of classic riding boots and black skinny jeans or leggings.
parka / dress / cardigan / boots / socks
Finally, for those who always reach for dresses over pants, a floral dress, paired with chunky cardi and socks, and a pair of tan ankle boots will give this beige coloured parka a more “girlie” feel.
What would you wear with a parka?