25 Cozy Winter Clothes and Accessories for College Students
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Whether commuting in the cold, trudging to class across a snow-covered campus, or staying active outdoors, many students spend ample time outside during the winter months. Investing in proper winter gear can be a necessity for students who don’t plan to shy away from the elements.
Many of these items also make practical gifts that can help keep students safe and comfortable as temperatures drop. Our list includes standout footwear, outerwear, activewear, and cold-weather staples to build ideal winter college outfits.
$ = Under $25 | $ = $25-$50 | $$ = $50-$75 | $$ = Over $75
Winter Boots
Our Recommendation: Sperry Women’s Saltwater Snow Boots
These snow boots emulate a classic duck boot style. A rubber and leather exterior keeps out moisture from rain, snow, and slush, while a microfleece-lined interior keeps your feet warm. Nonmarking treads on the rubber outsole provide traction on both wet and dry terrain.
Our Recommendation: Dream Pairs Women’s Winter Snow Boots
These wind- and water-resistant snow boots reach midway up the calf and are ideal for wading through deep snow. A thermolite insulation layer keeps your toes warm in temperatures as low as -25 degrees Fahrenheit, making these boots a good option for students who work or commute in harsh temperatures. These boots also come in 12 different color varieties.
Our Recommendation: Sperry Men’s Avenue Duck Boot
One of the best winter boots for college students who embrace the outdoors, these sturdy, waterproof duck boots feature a 100% leather body and a seam-sealed rubber sole that keeps moisture out. These boots feature an interior thermal lining, while a supportive memory foam footbed makes them suitable for long walks or hikes.
Our Recommendation: Timberland Men’s White Ledge Waterproof Boot
These Timberland hiking boots can be worn throughout the year, although their seam-sealed waterproof construction make them ideal for winter weather. These durable boots have a full-grain waterproof leather body, rubber sole, and supportive shaft, making them a great investment for active wearers.
Our Recommendation: Mishansha Unisex Snow and Winter Hiking Boots
These water-resistant hiking boots are made of artificial leather and feature a cozy, faux fur-lined interior. A supportive rubber sole provides ample traction. Synthetic materials make this boot a good alternative for wearers who want to avoid animal products.
Winter Coats and Jackets
Our Recommendation: Daily Ritual Women’s Short Puffer Jacket
This jacket is the perfect basic puffer for wearers looking for lightweight outerwear. With a cropped cut, mock neck, and wide-set quilting, this jacket puts a modern spin on a winter staple. Style-conscious students can choose from more than a dozen color varieties.
Our Recommendation: Daily Ritual Women’s Teddy Bear Fleece Oversized Coat
One of the trendiest winter jackets for college students, this teddy coat is a modern classic. A notched collar and button-front closure give the coat a retro feel. The piece features a soft fleece exterior and an oversized cut that complements, rather than covers, the wearer’s outfit. The coat’s thick, machine-washable polyester and lined interior make it a great cold-weather option.
Our Recommendation: Tommy Hilfiger Men’s Hooded Puffer Jacket
This simple men’s puffer jacket is one of the best winter coats for college, protecting you from winter weather with its water- and wind-resistant design and fleece-lined collar. Storm cuffs and draw chords provide additional insulation. The embroidered Tommy Hilfiger logo also adds a classic embellishment to this jacket’s sleek, minimalist design.
Our Recommendation: Levi’s Men’s Corduroy Sherpa Jacket
A lightweight alternative suitable for year-round wear, this jacket features a durable, 100% cotton corduroy exterior and a quilted inner lining. The snap cuffs, stand-up collar, dual zipper, and snap closure give the wearer a bit of extra protection from the elements while maintaining a rugged look.
Winter Pants and Leggings
Our Recommendation: BALEAF Women’s Fleece-Lined, High-Waisted Thermal Leggings With Pockets
Leggings with substantial pockets can seem like a rare commodity. These fleece-lined leggings have small interior pockets and two side pockets designed to hold smartphones securely. They also feature a high waistband with an internal drawstring and water-resistant polyester, making them perfect for active wearers.
Our Recommendation: Yeokou Women’s Sherpa-Lined Jogger Fleece Sweatpants
These sweatpants are a good option for students looking for a more inconspicuous alternative to wearing pajamas to class. The coziness of a plush sherpa lining sets these pants apart. With a soft cotton exterior, a drawstring closure, and a jogger-style cut, these sweatpants are a casual-wear staple.
Our Recommendation: Amazon Essentials Women’s Fleece Jogger Sweatpants
These lightweight, basic joggers are lined with French terry fleece, making them suitable for both winter loungewear and activewear. The sweatpants are secured by a drawstring waistband and elasticized cuffs. With more than two dozen color options, students can easily coordinate this piece with their winter wardrobe.
Our Recommendation: Adidas Men’s Tiro 19 Pants
These Adidas soccer pants are an activewear classic. Unlike some more plush options, these pants are made of lightweight, breathable polyester and are suitable for year-round wear. Active students can enjoy a comfortable, slim-fit, stretchy material; side pockets; and a drawstring waistband.
Our Recommendation: Champion Men’s Powerblend Sweats Retro Jogger Pants
These classic Champion joggers are made of a soft cotton-polyester blend that won’t shrink in the wash. Wearers can enjoy a relaxed fit with tapered pant legs, a cinched elastic waistband, and roomy pockets.
Our Recommendation: Southpole Men’s Active Jogger Fleece Pants
These fleece sweatpants have earned over 40,000 five-star ratings on Amazon. The streetwear-inspired joggers feature a comfortable elastic closure with an adjustable waist cord and ribbed ankle cuffs. Wearers can choose to sport either neutral or vibrant hues.
Gloves
Our Recommendation: Isotoner Women’s Fleece Touchscreen Gloves
These touchscreen-friendly gloves are perfect for students who don’t want to choose between protecting their hands from the cold and keeping up with texts, emails, and notifications while outside. The gloves keep your hands warm with their plush lining and water-resistant exterior, while the outer layer at the thumb and index finger allows you to use your smartphone and other mobile devices.
Our Recommendation: Isotoner Men’s Spandex Touchscreen Gloves
Perfect for on-the-go students, these gloves pair a water-repellent material with a knit lining and a geometric pattern. A slim, nylon design and touchscreen accessibility let users control their devices nimbly while keeping their hands warm.
Our Recommendation: ViGrace Unisex Knitted Convertible Fingerless Wool Mitten Gloves
A bestselling basic, these convertible fingerless gloves let wearers cover and uncover their fingertips with a removable mitten-style flap. A thick wool and acrylic blend keeps hands warm, while a hogskin layer on the palm and thumb provides additional grip.
Beanies and Winter Hats
Our Recommendation: Furtalk Women’s Knit Beanie
This beanie is made from stretchy, 100% acrylic fabric designed to fit most wearers, with a cuff that can be folded up or pulled down. This minimalist design is available in more than two dozen colors so students can easily find an option that matches their winter wardrobe.
Our Recommendation: Carhartt Men’s Acrylic Beanie
A great option for students looking for a simple, rugged look, this high- beanie is made in the U.S. and has earned over 100,000 five-star ratings on Amazon. Wearers can enjoy this durable winter hat’s stretchy, ribbed material and signature Carhartt label.
Our Recommendation: Redress Unisex Knit Slouchy Beanie
Ideal for a more laid-back style, this slouchy beanie is loose fitting and lightweight. Wearers can adjust the fit with an interior band. The acrylic exterior features a knit pattern, while the interior wool improves the hat’s insulation.
Scarves and Neck Warmers
Our Recommendation: Wander Agio Women’s Long Shawl Lattice Scarf
This plaid scarf can be used as a functional accent piece. The faux-cashmere material is 79 inches long and 23 inches wide. It also features tasseled ends. The polyester is soft to the touch and provides lightweight protection from the cold.
Our Recommendation: Fullron Men’s Cashmere Scarf
This scarf creates a sophisticated look with a fine-knit, mixed cashmere, 70″ x 12″ design. The lightweight material protects wearers from the elements and comes in more than 20 color and pattern options.
Our Recommendation: Plum Feathers Unisex Cashmere Feel Scarf
Three-inch fringes and dozens of plaid styles embellish this classic scarf. An affordable alternative to cashmere, this acrylic fabric is soft to the touch and provides substantial protection from the cold.
Our Recommendation: DG Hill Fleece Thermal Neck Warmers
With an interior sherpa lining and thermal polyester yarn, wearers can use this neck warmer as a traditional scarf or pull it up to protect their ears and lower face. This piece may appeal to athletes, runners, skiers, cyclists, and individuals who live in especially cold climates.
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