Fashion and Function: How to Look Good and Stay Warm in Minneapolis
You’ve planned your trip and mapped your drive or booked your flight. . . but what are you supposed to wear?! We've got you.
Welcome to Minneapolis! It’s no secret that this vibrant city lies North of, well, just about everything. With four diverse seasons, it’s important to know how to dress for peak comfort (and safety) while embracing your personal style.
Much of the country gets excited about an inch or two of snow overnight, but here in Minneapolis there's a perpetual possibility of a foot (or more) most months of the year. But take our word for it, the intense winter here comes with an equally intense love of embracing the colder months. From outdoor dining events and winter sports to holiday festivals and scenery fit for a Hallmark seasonal movie, the months between December and March offer plenty of outings to change up your winter look.
Our advice? Embrace it. The secret? Layers! Fashion changes year after year, but there are a few items that will always be a staple in Minneapolis winters—because warmth and comfort are always in style.
1. Three words: Cover Your Bum (CYB)!
To stay truly comfortable, look for a winter jacket that falls closer to your knees than your hips. Whether you’re standing at a bus stop, waiting for your car to heat up, or just spending a few minutes walking from Point A to Point B, we can guarantee that you will never regret shelling out some money for the right winter coat. There is nothing better than a warm and bulky coat from a trusted brand that keeps your bum safe from the northern winds. The right coat isn’t just a smart purchase, it’s an investment you won't regret! Leave the fitted jackets for slightly warmer weather and snuggle into your lovely new coat (probably with a faux-fur rimmed hood). Pair it with the right scarf and you are now ready to make the sidewalk your catwalk.
![](https://minneapolis-2021.imgix.net/images/Winter-Attire-10.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=e925d93d485bf9621e377580f625b20b 320w, https://minneapolis-2021.imgix.net/images/Winter-Attire-10.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=7b23f4c8f5514ba102b9e17a42b9ccfb 540w, https://minneapolis-2021.imgix.net/images/Winter-Attire-10.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=2f25632f3c33f2ac3fc394036f53ff5a 768w, https://minneapolis-2021.imgix.net/images/Winter-Attire-10.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=7b6c91c36e7105b2c7cc17b8b82d5121 1024w, https://minneapolis-2021.imgix.net/images/Winter-Attire-10.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=01b6cac110e4e9046c2b4a4791d302ff 1200w, https://minneapolis-2021.imgix.net/images/Winter-Attire-10.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=ddb2ef7126850937d7302bafecf079ec 1440w, https://minneapolis-2021.imgix.net/images/Winter-Attire-10.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=8aca327b0d1d35107febe7f2550ec72d 1920w, https://minneapolis-2021.imgix.net/images/Winter-Attire-10.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=66dab20338902ca88d3b766eaf2edb28 2560w, https://minneapolis-2021.imgix.net/images/Winter-Attire-10.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=9902da74fac910809a56933901f1fe8d 3840w)
2. Do yourself a favor and find some fleece-lined leggings (or just wear that long underwear)
Those fleece-lined bad boys will keep you warm and fuzzy all day long! The casual appearance goes with any outfit just as normal leggings do, with the added bonus of an extra cozy inside layer. Throw on some fuzzy socks and some boots with traction and you’ve added some serious cozy to your winter wardrobe! If the leggings suggestion is out of your comfort zone, then do what needs to be done and grab some long underwear. For time spent outside, throwing on long johns under a pair of casual pants can make all the difference. Plus, no one will know you’re wearing them! Win-win.
![](https://minneapolis-2021.imgix.net/images/Winter-Attire-7.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=e4744c8be7872cb6cd2c0efb8c5ec5c5 320w, https://minneapolis-2021.imgix.net/images/Winter-Attire-7.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=539baa1e7d051c23bbd2a119c949334a 540w, https://minneapolis-2021.imgix.net/images/Winter-Attire-7.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=4cedff3d0a27c00cfabd0f04fd94dcc3 768w, https://minneapolis-2021.imgix.net/images/Winter-Attire-7.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=7b257844a73cc74df0a02d0d2efeda97 1024w, https://minneapolis-2021.imgix.net/images/Winter-Attire-7.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=a32ab430d475cd1bbc4a650ca5fc7908 1200w, https://minneapolis-2021.imgix.net/images/Winter-Attire-7.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=2573896103ee737a9f98e5b6c4763156 1440w, https://minneapolis-2021.imgix.net/images/Winter-Attire-7.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=ba8230957907b914237c4c10c9b97afa 1920w, https://minneapolis-2021.imgix.net/images/Winter-Attire-7.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=96f2c9f4d942249f2f3e90c119fb5423 2560w, https://minneapolis-2021.imgix.net/images/Winter-Attire-7.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=37be0e20c1b86a7c4255f7d84266bf29 3840w)
3. Just wear a pair of boots … seriously
Yeah, people might hate the idea of bulky winter boots, but at what cost? Cold toes are seriously uncomfortable, so why not just take care of those little guys? Plus, the combo of snow and salt on ice can (and will) ruin your favorite pair of shoes. Save the cute kicks for higher temps and slide your feet into a nice pair of faux-fur lined boots. Pair them with the right wool socks and you’re bound to be a happy camper. Why tiptoe through snow with caution when you can bound through it with joy?
![](https://minneapolis-2021.imgix.net/images/Winter-Attire-9.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=1a6fba71df39235b14c6f96455bd5683 320w, https://minneapolis-2021.imgix.net/images/Winter-Attire-9.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=cb7b8a186296202910b406774b58cf9f 540w, https://minneapolis-2021.imgix.net/images/Winter-Attire-9.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=5edd46596d3af11b2d83848fce214de6 768w, https://minneapolis-2021.imgix.net/images/Winter-Attire-9.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=908c01b3868a5d3ca4f13b84b2529561 1024w, https://minneapolis-2021.imgix.net/images/Winter-Attire-9.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=c75a7493123623a5d9b408d6b83db6c2 1200w, https://minneapolis-2021.imgix.net/images/Winter-Attire-9.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=a73a3f465cb9b7432af4c613ffc8cfc9 1440w, https://minneapolis-2021.imgix.net/images/Winter-Attire-9.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=0c249224b1d7b8b1dcaf1c927d4dcbb0 1920w, https://minneapolis-2021.imgix.net/images/Winter-Attire-9.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=dbad63b509d173cac5cb27b9f3b31494 2560w, https://minneapolis-2021.imgix.net/images/Winter-Attire-9.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=d8a7489c25b473730c6c4b784890c43f 3840w)
4. Keep those ears cozy
Remember that old myth about a majority of our body heat being released through our head? Maybe it’s true and maybe it’s false (Google knows all), but at the end of the day you’ve just got to give your ears some love. Find a puffy set of ear muffs to match your personality or a splendid knit hat—with or without a pom-pom on top. Your ears will thank you.
5. Embrace your inner Minnesotan and throw on a flannel
We could tell you that wearing flannels here is a just a stereotype, but alas, that would be a lie. Pair an oversized flannel with those fleece leggings or pair of jeans, add your winter boots, layer on a coat, and BAM, you’ve got the classic Midwestern winter outfit.
![](https://minneapolis-2021.imgix.net/images/Winter-Attire-3.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=2dd298a03a59b107e429949585605869 320w, https://minneapolis-2021.imgix.net/images/Winter-Attire-3.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=def2079451d1ed59dd4485eaa47599af 540w, https://minneapolis-2021.imgix.net/images/Winter-Attire-3.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=4c02016412782fc45996a76a01b6e44f 768w, https://minneapolis-2021.imgix.net/images/Winter-Attire-3.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=5d376057d4dcec6ba1737335b4b19bb2 1024w, https://minneapolis-2021.imgix.net/images/Winter-Attire-3.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=0c422d041fcf9bb65eb7a7d0c3f2e1d0 1200w, https://minneapolis-2021.imgix.net/images/Winter-Attire-3.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=8d21f13576f0d61417d1bfa21fc531b4 1440w, https://minneapolis-2021.imgix.net/images/Winter-Attire-3.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=6c0f8f4a05cdeea58bc3e05c58785d99 1920w, https://minneapolis-2021.imgix.net/images/Winter-Attire-3.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=c14075389a76e81a3dd96f15425fa0fd 2560w, https://minneapolis-2021.imgix.net/images/Winter-Attire-3.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=9315bf3c0dc5ae3167b363fb3b1f13cb 3369w)
6. Don’t forget those scarves and mittens
Yes, mittens. Or... okay fine, you can take the gloves route if you want. Either way, fur-lined gloves/mittens go a long way towards keeping your hands warm and preventing dry skin. Find a pair of gloves with touch-screen fingertips and you won’t have to keep taking them on and off whenever your phone buzzes. Scarves are your best bet to protect your neck from the cold that your jacket just can’t keep out. If you wrap a long, soft scarf around your neck a few times, the winter chill will never win.
Basically, the least amount of skin exposed to the cold while outside in winter is ideal. And guess what? It CAN look good too! Don’t worry, no one in Minneapolis will judge you for looking like a marshmallow. In fact, we might like you a little more for it. Better safe and warm than cold and full of frost-bitten regret, right?
Where to Shop for Winter Clothes in Minneapolis
So you made it here and found you packed a little light? Perhaps a late-season snow storm turned your spring hiking dreams into icicles... whatever your reason, sometimes you just need to grab some new cold-weather gear! Here are our favorite places to outfit ourselves for the chilly season.
Hoigaards has everything you need for winter clothing and gear—from extra-warm gloves and merino wool base layers to fleece neck warmers and performance coats. They've been outfitting winter adventures since 1895, when they began producing tents for the Alaskan Gold Rush! Founded in Duluth, Minnesota over 30 years ago, Duluth Trading Company has great outerwear for all, like fleece jackets, canvas coats, quilted bombers, wool shirt jackets, and full-on parkas in a good array of sizes for men and women.
If second-hand is your thing, Buffalo Exchange typically begins carrying cold-weather outerwear in October. And while they may not be the most stylish shops around, the clothing and winter accessories at Menards and Fleet Farm are reliable and affordable.
If you're looking for tried-and-true national chains, you can't go wrong with REI—the Bloomington store is MASSIVE. And the Mall of America is a great place to check out multiple shops specializing in cold weather attire, from Columbia Sportswear and Canada Goose to North Face and Arc-teryx.