How to Wear Off-the-Shoulder Tops During the Cold Months

Micaela Erlanger calls the piece “very sexy.” Fellow celebrity stylist Anita Patrickson says it is “forgiving for any body type.” And while we completely agree, how is one supposed to wear the ubiquitous off-the-shoulder top (a.k.a.: the shirt of the summer) now that the temperature has dropped?

One look at the savvy street style bunch at the recent fashion shows is enough to show that the blouse is still trending—and not in a trying-too-hard kind of way. Cast in fall-friendly fabrics like handsome herringbone, plush velvet, and crisp poplin, the top is making a run at becoming your fashion staple for the cold months, as well. There are knit versions, too, courtesy of a feather-trimmed hoodie by Christopher Kane and a ribbed one-shoulder sweater by Jacquemus.

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Chloë Grace Moretz on her casual-but-cool style essentials:

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Designer Caroline Constas, who is known for her off-the-shoulder silhouette in nautical stripes, is continuing the trend for fall by introducing heavier materials like a weighty Bordeaux-colored jacquard. She has even created versions that can be worn with a jacket—quite the tricky proposition. “My Jacqueline off-the-shoulder blouse has a very new and unique construction, preventing it from sliding up when layering,” Constas tells Allure, referring to the elasticized trimming technique at the neckline.

Allure fashion director, Rachel Wang, layered her off-the-shoulder top with a wool dress.

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Patrickson, for her part, suggests looking for halter-neck styles with shoulder cut-outs instead of peasant-inspired tops to add a bit of structure to your ensemble. “Those feel very Donna Karan to me, like 1980s seven easy pieces, especially if they’re bodysuits,” she says. “You don’t have to worry about it falling off entirely under your coat. One-shoulder tops offer more support, too.” If you do decide to sport a prairie-esque number, the stylist encourages wearing a cape instead of a blazer or jacket, so you don’t have to fuss with your top underneath. “A cape is an easy solve, but it’s not the warmest in January or February,” she says, calling attention that this trend may not make it all the way to the single digit months.

Try a one-shoulder top for more support when layering.

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Erlanger, who recently dressed Hands of Stone actress Ana de Armas in a tawny-colored Narciso Rodriguez off-the-shoulder dress, says the fashion flock will probably sport the silhouette through the holiday party season, thanks to its inherent nighttime appeal. “I’m sure we are going to be seeing it throughout New Year’s Eve because it still is an unexpected way to show skin,” she says. To prevent a case of cold shoulders, Patrickson advises “to wear a great fur or scarf, and be sure to take a car.”

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