How to Get Away With Wearing Comfy Clothes to School, According to 3 Students

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Wearing comfy clothes to school (while still looking fashionable) doesn't have to be an impossible feat, especially on those mornings when all you can do is lie in bed and count down the hours until spring break and warmer days arrive. It makes sense: Amidst cancelled classes, brisk weather, dress codes, and general spring semester malaise, getting ready at the crack of dawn and trekking across campus seem less than ideal.

However, layering closet staples can go a long, warm way, not only for braving outdoor conditions but also for oftentimes-unpredictable classroom temperatures. Will you sweat with the heater on blast or be jolted awake by the cold in math class? It's a question as old as time.

Whether you opt for a well-loved oversized hoodie, pajamas you claim to be cozy yoga pants, or cozy socks that are actually shoes, wearing cross-seasonal basics you can bundle up is the way to go. Below, Teen Vogue spoke with three students on their go-tos and never-agains for dressing comfortably to class, rain or shine.

Malia Vazquez, 17, High School Student

Teen Vogue: Tell me about your ideal comfy outfit.
Malia Vasquez: I have this huge knit zebra-print sweater that’s really warm. I usually put that over my black turtleneck because the knit sweater has a lower neck line, so I have to compensate for that, but it looks pretty cute together. Then, I’ll just wear jeans.

TV: What’s one piece of clothing you've got to have for class in the winter?
MV: Turtlenecks. I’ve gotten a few different ones this season in different colors, because [they are] versatile in terms of how you can style them. Also, I hate my neck being bare in frigid weather. It’s dangerous out here.

TV: What would you say makes an outfit perfect for cold weather?
MV: Definitely something that covers your neck, ankles, hands, [and] ears. I have the worst circulation ever, so it’s always my toes, my fingers, and my ears that get the worst of it during the winter. Plus, wearing cotton socks is the equivalent of dipping my toes into cold water. It’s so bad. It’s like your feet are cold [but] they also feel weird.

TV: Any layering mistakes you’ll never make again?
MV: I’ve biked in the cold before and it was horrendous. I was like “I’m invincible and I don’t need a scarf.” Don’t do that. Don’t be me.

TV: Share one tip for dressing comfortably to class, especially on the days you want to stay in pajamas.
MV: Get at least two sweaters and jeans that are exactly the same. I mean, the sweaters and jeans can also be different colors. Whenever you’re really tired, you can throw them on and go out the door. I guarantee that’s happened to me at least two times per week because I can’t always put together something that’s really insulating and also super cute, I don’t have enough pieces in my closet for that. Just be practical.

Caleb Kelly, 17, High School Student

TV: What’s one article of clothing you've got to have for class?
Caleb Kelly: Whatever keeps me the most warm, whether that be a wool jacket or puffer.

TV: Tell me about a comfort item you always turn to.
CK: It’s a wool jacket that has this flannel look to it, with a brown-to-cream ombre from Primark. There’s one in Downtown Brooklyn I got it from, and it’s my favorite piece in my wardrobe.

TV: Speaking of versatile clothes, what would you say makes an outfit perfect for school?
CK: Being able to have on a lot when you’re outside and be able to take some things off when you get inside. I could go from very cold to very hot at my school. They always have the heat going on in the entire building, so layers are very important for me.

TV: What are styling mistakes you've made in the past when it comes to unpredictable weather?
CK: The transition from my summer closet to winter closet. I used to only wear ankle socks during the summer, and I would wait so long to get new socks to wear in the winter that my ankles would be freezing.

TV: Give us one tip for wearing comfy clothes to class.
CK: Grab something you could put on quickly and are able to feel good in. I would say the essentials are a nice pair of sweatpants, a hoodie…maybe a puffer vest. Snow or rain, I always have a specific pair of boots I could wear in that type of weather.

Sierra Lanae, 21, College Student

TV: What’s one article of clothing essential for staying warm?
Sierra Lanae: Leggings and leg warmers, because there are so many ways to style them: Either over tights, knee-high socks, or with boots to add extra dimension. Arm warmers [are also] a nice layering piece that [bring] comfort and style to a simple outfit.

TV: Tell me about your absolute fave comfy piece in your wardrobe.
SL: My oversized camo hoodie by Mossy Oak. I grew up in Maryland, so I’m very used to fishing in the cold weather. They have pieces with nice insulation [that] are lightweight yet durable for the cold. I [wear] my camo hoodie to either relax in the house or run certain errands because I know I’ll always stay warm.

TV: What’s one brand you always look to for warm layers?
SL: I have always been a fan of the Olsen twins, and when they first came out with The Row, I thought it was still a luxury clothing brand offering high-quality [pieces] that are great for all kinds of weather. The brand kind of reminds me of Miu Miu, just a little more inexpensive and they have basics that will last a lifetime.

TV: What makes an outfit ideal for cold weather? And what are styling mistakes you’ve made in the past when dressing for wintertime?
SL: You must have leather boots or some kind of insulated boot to prevent your feet [from] getting soaked. One time my freshman year, it snowed, I didn’t have rubber soles on my boots, and my feet were soaked. Never again.

TV: Share one tip for dressing comfortably on campus.
SL: Layer strategically so you can adjust to temperature changes. I’ve made that mistake before and was having heat flashes in class. A warm but lightweight coat, a breathable sweater, and a moisture-wicking base layer will keep you comfortable both outdoors and in heated classrooms. Opt for waterproof shoes with good grip to handle snow or rain without slipping.

Shop our cozy essentials below:

Womens Hampton Strolls (Steel)

$380.00, Brave Pudding

Mens Hampton Strolls (Marine)

$380.00, Brave Pudding

Turtleneck Sweater

$85.00, étoile Isabel Marant

Recycled Fleece Sweatpants

$76.00, Free People

Women's Ribbed Knit Merino Wool-Blend Leg Warmer

$68.00, lululemon

Originally Appeared on Teen Vogue