7 Ways to Wear a Cold Shoulder Top in Fall & Winter

Wearing a cold shoulder top in the summer seems natural,  but what about when it’s cold out? Can you wear a top that bares your shoulders in Fall and Winter? Or is that just an impractical fashion faux pas?

Here are 7 easy ways to pull off this look you may not have thought of.

Peach cold shoulder sweater

1. Wear Cold Shoulder Sweaters

Airy, lightweight cold-shoulder tops and tees in summer colors, fabrics, and prints look out of place in cold weather, no matter how you style them. So instead,  switch to Cold-shoulder sweaters and knit tops, which are thicker, warmer, and more fall-like.

This ribbed, peach, cold-shoulder sweater is perfect for bridging the gap from summer to fall since it is a summer color but a fall knit. (It’s also a great transition top for winter into spring.)

Styling this cold-shoulder sweater: I like to wear it with jeans, but it also looks elegant with white pants (if you live in the South). Black pants work, too.

Cold shoulder sweater

2. Bare One Shoulder Instead of Two

Here’s a compromise that is quite chic. This modern-looking one-shoulder cold shoulder top from The Drop at Amazon has a one-shoulder cut-out instead of two.

You get the look of a cold-shoulder sweater but with more shoulder coverage. The soft, relaxed turtleneck also keeps you cozy and gives this top a very fashion-forward look.

Styling a Shoulder Sweater: Add some earrings and a chunky gold cuff,   faux leather leggings, and black suede booties to create an edgy, urban look.  It’s that easy

3. Wear Cold Shoulder Tops with Long Sleeves

It only makes sense that cold-shoulder tops with long sleeves are more practical in Fall and Winter. I even own a chunky cable knit turtleneck that is cold-shoulder.

This fabulous statement sweater looks stylish with faux leather leggings and flat, burgundy over-the-knee boots.

4. Silky Cold Shoulder Tops are Chic 24

Cold-shoulder tops made of silk, satin, or other luxurious fabrics are season appropriate year round.  They’re elegant for Fall and Winter cocktail parties and Holiday events.

They ooze sophistication and class and are the perfect way to look sexy without revealing too much.

Styling this cold shoulder blouse: This gorgeous blouse looks sophisticated and modern paired with black pants. The rich caramel color and satin finish are stunning, and the soft, blousy sleeves give this top a feminine, romantic feel.

5. Layer a Jacket over a Cold Shoulder Top

Another way to wear a cold-shoulder top or sweater in cold weather is to layer it with a jacket. The jacket can be casual and edgy, like a leather moto jacket, or more classic, like a blazer.

For example, wear a denim jacket or a moto jacket over your cold shoulder top when going to dinner with friends on a Saturday night. Then do the sexy reveal once you are in the restaurant and ready to have some drinks and a bit of fun.

You can also wear a blazer over a one-shoulder top to work  (I wouldn’t wear a cold shoulder top to work on. It is too sexy and not professional)

This way, you could leave your blazer on at work, and no one would ever know you were wearing a cold-shoulder top. Then, if you met friends for drinks afterward, you could take off your blazer to reveal your off-the-shoulder top.

This is a great “work to after 5” way of dressing and a good way to get more wear from a cold-shoulder top.

6. Pop on a Cardigan

Adding a long cardigan to your outfit is another way to wear it with a cold-shoulder top in the fall or winter. This gives your outfit a stylish layered look, and you get double-duty from your off-the-shoulder top.

7. Accessorize a Cold Shoulder Top with a Scarf

Many women over 40, 50+ yearn to dress more creatively, and cold shoulder tops make it easy.  They’re artsy and can even look even more cool when you add a scarf around your neck. You could wear a small silk or larger wool scarf tied uniquely.

This is the kind of look you need to experiment with to make it your own. You’ll be dressing more creatively while keeping warm, too!

Can You Wear Off-the-Shoulder Sweaters in Fall and Winter?

Off-the-shoulder tops are more revealing than cold-shoulder tops since they expose two shoulders instead of one. However, they can look casually chic in the fall/winter.

I have a gorgeous cashmere off-the-shoulder sweater that is super soft and cozy. It’s long, like a tunic, and I like to wear it with faux leather leggings in the fall.

It’s not something I would wear every day or to a work meeting, but it’s perfect for a date night with my husband or dinner with another couple on the weekend. Causal, sexy, and chic!

The Final Word on Cold-Shoulder Tops

You may feel self-conscious about showing off your arms, but most of us don’t mind flashing a little shoulder. The reason is simple: shoulders hardly seem to age at all. So wear a cold shoulder top all year round by following these tips and look and feel fabulous!

Other posts on cold shoulder tops and Off the Shoulder tops to help you:

Are Cold Shoulder Tops Still in Style?

3 cold Shoulder Dresses Perfect for Special Occasions

The Hottest Cold Shoulder Tops for Women

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Meet the author

Deborah Boland

Deborah, a former Fashion & Lifestyle TV host and Image Consultant, understands the style challenges women face in their 40s, 50s, and 60s. As the founder of Fabulous After 40, she helps women tweak their chic and embrace fashion with confidence—so they always look and feel amazing.

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