Denver is always a special place no matter what time of year it is, but there’s something especially magical about Christmas season in the Mile-High City. Denver’s winter festivals are among the best in the nation — perfect for couples, families, friends and, of course, Instagram!

One especially Instagrammable outdoor winter activity in Denver: the Blossoms of Light at Denver Botanic Gardens. This immersive light display is consistently rated as one of the top holiday light shows in the country, presenting wonderful photo opportunities. But, with so many photo-worthy moments, how do you stay cute without freezing your you-know-what off?

If you need cute cold-weather outfit ideas, you’ve come to the right place! There are plenty of ways to put together cute but warm outfits for all your Denver winter events.

Layering: The Key to Cute but Warm Outfits

For those wondering how to dress cute in the winter, there’s one tip that trumps them all: layering. Unless you want to wear a coat thick enough to scale the Rockies, layering is your best way to stay warm, stylish and Instagram-worthy. 

By wearing a thermal base layer, such as thermal underwear or cold-weather, compression athletic wear, you can add insulation underneath your cute winter outfit. That’s pure style on the outside and pure coziness on the inside. 

Footwear: Keeping It Functional and Stylish

When thinking of cute winter outfits for Instagram, footwear may not be your first consideration. But, whether or not your feet make it into the photo, it’s absolutely critical to choose appropriate shoes — or, more likely, boots.

Have you ever had freezing toes? It’s no fun and it’s sure to ruin your night — regardless of how much Christmas magic is in the air. So, look for some well-insulated boots that offer both warmth and traction. That way, your feet can stay warm and you can stay upright should you encourage some slick snow or ice.

Good insulation may include wool, fleece, thermal reflective linings, or even fur. Try some boots on in the store — if your feet start to get warm right away, you’ve found a winner. As far as traction, take a look at the bottom of the sole. If it has deep and aggressive-looking treads, it’ll probably be able to handle snow, ice, slush and whatever Old Man Winter can throw at you.

Outerwear That Shines: Jackets and Coats for Winter Events

Let’s be honest, when it comes to sub-zero outfits, it’s all about the outerwear. Thick, padded and available in all different styles and colors, coats and jackets set the tone for your whole look. They can say a lot about you, too.

Peacoats are timeless and elegant, puffers are casual, sporty and functional, bombers are cool and stylish and parkas are just highly functional — like a cozy little cocoon. Shop around and find the style that resonates with you! 

Pro tip: It’s best to own many different types of coats and jackets, so you have something appropriate for any occasion. That way, you can match your friends’ agreed-upon dress code for the festival — or any other winter activities, like date nights, ice skating, winter walks or hikes, hitting the slopes, or just traveling around town in style.

Accessorizing for the Ultimate Winter Wonderland Look

The next most noticeable part of your cute winter outfit: your accessories! 

Winter accessories are truly form meets function. First (and most importantly), these items are warm and highly practical. Hats and earmuffs keep your head and ears from getting cold, scarves keep your neck insulated from winter air and gloves and mittens keep your fingers from freezing.

Beyond all that function, hats, earmuffs, scarves, gloves and mittens can be completely adorable — especially when thoughtfully paired with your coat! Knitted accessories often have fun patterns, which can add a little pizzazz to your look. Other materials like fleece commonly come in fun colors, introducing that perfect little ‘pop’ to your outfit.

When it comes to winter accessories, the options are nearly limitless, so get out there and start looking!

Final Tips for Instagram-Ready Winter Looks

Now that you know what to wear, here are some additional tips to make your Instagram stand out from the rest:

• Think about the time of day. Certain lighting conditions are preferable over others — especially if there’s snow coverage giving off extra glare. Generally speaking, the light is softest in the late afternoon or early evening, for those perfect glowy winter scenes.
• Capture the spirit of the event. Think about what makes your winter festival feel so magical. It’s often the little details — such as lights, unique decorations, fun foods, shop signs, fun activities and more. Focus on capturing these details so viewers can experience the magic as you did.
• Don’t forget to include people. Besides all the wonderful details, the best part about winter festivals is the people. Despite the cold — and sometimes challenging — conditions, people have a way of enduring, coming together and making the most of life. If that’s not Instagram-worthy, what is?
• Edit your content thoughtfully. Sometimes, capturing the true essence of a scene means a little editing after the fact. However, be careful not to over-edit, making things look artificial or staged. You want your photos and videos to capture the magic, not recreate it in some contrived way.

Embrace the Cold, Capture the Memories

Ready to get out there and enjoy the magic? Hold your horses! Chances are you need to do a little shopping first.

If you’re in need of base layers, footwear, outerwear or accessories, there’s one place that has them all for amazingly low prices. Turn Style Consignment!

Turn Style has a huge, hand-picked selection of designer label clothing and accessories. All items are name-brand and guaranteed to be in great condition, so you’ll never have to sort through racks to find the ‘good stuff.’ Best of all, the inventory is always changing, so you never know what you might find — maybe even that must-have jacket from a few seasons ago that you never got your hands on.

Make sure you’re Instagram-ready by shopping Turn Style’s two convenient Denver locations. Then, get out, enjoy the magic of Denver’s winter festivals, and use the hashtag #turnstyledenver to show your cute outfits to the world!