When I moved from Colorado to California for college I knew the one thing I would not miss was winter. I hated everything about it: driving in the snow to school, waking up to the cold weather, and most importantly having to wear layers upon layers of sweaters.

But as October turned into November and eventually into December, I found myself wishing that I could reach into my closet and bundle up in a cozy sweater and boots without worrying about being too hot. My friends back home were posting cute pictures of themselves in wool but instead all I had were flip flops.

So, if you live in a warm climate but find yourself envying those cute fall and winter looks, how do you dress? Do you suffer the pain of being hot all day or do you give up on those outfits?

Why not compromise? Below are four outfits that are perfect cold weather looks in a hot weather climate. Read on for all the hot climate winter outfit ideas you could need:

Table of Contents

1. Flannel and a dress

This is a great and easy outfit to throw together that will keep you cool but also will remind you of those below 50 degree nights. Back home, I used to wear flannels all the time. They were comfortable to wear and offered protection from the cold. Just pick out your favorite flannel and pair it with a dress to match. For shoes I chose black ankle boots. Add an accessory, like a long necklace or bracelet, to complete the look.

2. Army jacket and pants

This is another look that I used to rock back home. I practically lived in my army jacket; it was perfect for fall! But, with the warm weather, I rarely need a jacket this thick. I like to wear the jacket with a cute tank top and jeans that are lightweight and have holes in them so that I won’t overheat. I paired the look with brown ankle boots so that I would at least feel dressed for fall, despite the weather.