What to Wear in 40 Degree Weather

It’s officially cool here in Winston-Salem, NC! Well, sort of. It’s cool in the mornings, but by the late afternoon, it’s warm again. I often find that dressing for 40 degree weather is one of the hardest temps to dress for, especially since the temp can be a lot colder in the morning but warm up by afternoon.

So, I’m here to help with the awkwardly cold days that aren’t quite cold enough to elicit a full blown winter ensemble but still don’t allow for shorts because it’s officially November.

So, let’s say the temperature when you’re getting ready for the day is 47 degrees; I have some tips below to help you get dressed! I’m also going to share a roundup of practical outfits that I’m actually wearing these days that keep you warm when it’s cold and are easy enough to shed layers when the temperature rises.

What To Wear in 40 Degree Weather

First, let’s talk about some basic wardrobe needs for fall/early winter.

Denim

Denim is a no-brainer for confusing weather. It can be worn year-round and (if you have the right pair!) it’s comfortable and flattering. I wear jeans almost any time I’m not in workout clothes, at least in the cooler months. For unpredictable weather, you can feel confident that a pair of jeans will be the right choice almost 100% of the time.

I have lots of jeans in my closet (you can see a peek at all my jeans on the jeans section of this blog), but the most versatile pair I own is by Pistola. They’re stretchy and comfortable, a versatile wash (not too casual and not too dressy) and they’re cropped at the ankle, making them easy to pair with all sorts of shoes. If you want jeans at a lower price point, check out my favorite Madewell jeans and Abercrombie jeans.

For 40 degree weather, I usually opt for Vejas sneakers or laid back loafers with my jeans.

Leggings or Joggers

On the off chance that I’m not wearing jeans, I’m wearing a dress, leggings or joggers. While I was turned-off of athleisure outfits for many years, I’m appreciating them much more these days. Comfort is king, especially while taking care of a baby and chasing a toddler around the house.

I’ve learned that if I still do my makeup and style my hair, I can feel pulled-together, and even polished, in workout clothes, despite how comfy they are. I’ve also starting buying athleisure that’s a little more “fun” than just a basic pair of black running leggings. In 40 to 60 degree weather, leggings are always a warm enough but still breathable option. Amazon has some great athleisure finds lately. My very favorite leggings are from Amazon and cost under $35. I wear an XS. And here’s how I style leggings for all occasions – even a date night or office setting.

If you want a truly cozy outfit though, check out my favorite loungewear in this post.

Side note if you’re a runner: Leggings and a short sleeve top or tank is also my preferred 40 degree weather running outfit since it helps keep the moisture away from my body while still keeping you somewhat warm.

Layers

Layers are KEY for awkward weather. This usually means a lightweight sweatshirt or vest for me – I love this puffer vest because it’s casual and cozy but not sloppy (BTW, I have a full round-up of the cutest puffer coats on the blog here). I like knowing that I have an extra layer to throw on if I feel cold, but my outfit is complete without it, if I choose not to wear it. There’s nothing worse than warming up and having to keep a sweatshirt on because you didn’t wear anything underneath! I’m sweating just thinking about that scenario.

For days that start out cold and warm up throughout the day, I like to dress for the warmer weather that I’m expecting at the end of the day, and layer on top of that warm weather outfit. Then I’m prepared for either.

Lightweight jackets

Lightweight jackets definitely fall under the “layers” category above, but I felt like they deserved their own spot. In the late fall/early winter, I generally don’t like to pull out my heavier down puffer coats or insulated jackets just yet, so I appreciate having a lighter-weight option.

My favorite jacket for this type of weather is my Barbour coat. It’s a perfect weight for fall – not too warm but a nice layer, especially as the weather starts to get gloomy and/or rainy.

Sneakers

Shoes are slightly less complicated in weather like this since sandals and flip flops are out of the question, and you just need something that keeps your foot comfortable all day. I opt for a cute pair of sneakers 85% of the time. I wear them year round, and they’re great with jeans, leggings, shorts, and even dresses. Vejas are high quality, comfortable, and look great with jeans, dresses, and even leggings.

40 Degree Weather Outfits

Now that we’ve broken down the basics, let’s get into some outfit inspo. I’ll share a handful of outfits I’ve worn recently, and a few that are in my head to wear soon. I hope these help inspire you to make outfits out of things in your own closet.

Here’s what to wear in 40 degree weather that warms up to 50 degrees or even 60 by the end of the day.

Jeans and a sleeveless sweater

The simplest way to dress for confusing cool weather is with a great pair of jeans and sleeveless sweater. This outfit says, “I know it’s fall, and I’m participating, but I will not sweat.” The jeans I’m wearing are the Kick Out Crop Jeans in Driftwood Brown: Raw-Hem Edition and this sleeveless wool-silk sweater tank, both from Madewell. My entire outfit is actually from Madewell, all linked here on LTK.

A shirt dress and ballet flats

Another favorite outfit combo of mine in the awkward fall/winter weather is a shirt dress with flats. I love this combo for a few reasons, the main being that you can easily roll the sleeves on a shirt dress when it warms up. I particularly love this Winetasting Crepe Callahan Shirt Dress from Tuckernuck because the color is very appropriate for fall and winter, and the material is on the thicker end, but it’s still relaxed and loose enough that I’m comfortable as it warms up.

These ballet flats are the Blair style from Larrounde. They’re pricey but so well-made and comfortable. You could also easily wear boots with this dress – see my tips for styling boots with dresses here, and you can also see the 5 dresses I recommend for cooler weather here.

Matching Sweatset

This matching sweatset is one of my favorite fall outfits EVER. It’s cozy, comfortable, and super cute for mom-life. The large tulip style hem on these shorts gives this outfit a perfect feminine flare with this cropped pullover. One of the best things about an outfit like this is that you can wear a comfortable bra – like these NEIWAI bras I shared in my review.

Leggings and a t-shirt

Like I mentioned above, if I’m not wearing jeans, I like to wear leggings. The leggings I’m wearing are a GREAT Amazon find. They’re about 90% as good as Lululemon and crazy affordable. I wear a size XS.

And a quick note about the New Balance sneakers: if you can find them in stock, snag them as fast as you can. They’re the most comfortable sneakers in my closet right now. I got a half size up from my normal shoe size.

Bottom Line

I hope these outfit ideas help inspire you when you’re getting dressed in this weird in-between weather! You can see what I’m wearing everyday on the LTK app (follow @terilynadams), and shop and save my outfits. I always share sizing details as well. You can also bookmark this page if you prefer to shop without an app!

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