What to Wear on a Windy 45 Degree November Day

November 6, 2026

A windy 45 degree day needs a windproof shell over a warm mid layer, not a heavier coat. The wind is the problem, not the temperature, so the outer layer has to block it and the mid layer has to hold the heat. A softshell or a lined rain jacket over a fleece, with a scarf that stays put and a hat that does not blow off, is the outfit.

The wind is the problem, not the temperature

Forty five degrees on a still day is a light jacket day. Forty five degrees with a twenty mile an hour wind feels like thirty five, and it is a shell day. The wind strips the warm air from around your body faster than your body can replace it, and the coat that works is the one that stops the wind, not the one that is thickest. A heavy wool coat with a loose weave will let the wind straight through, while a thin windproof shell over a fleece will keep you warm.

The number to know is the wind chill, not the temperature. A 45 degree day with a 20 mile an hour wind has a wind chill in the mid thirties, and that is the temperature your body actually feels. Dress for the wind chill, not the thermometer, and the outfit changes completely.

The shell, and what goes under it

The outer layer should be windproof: a softshell, a lined rain jacket, or a trench with a windproof lining. The shell does not need to be insulated, because the insulation comes from the mid layer underneath. A fleece, a knit, or a quilted vest will hold the heat, and the shell will keep the wind from stripping it away.

The mid layer should be close fitting, not bulky, because a bulky mid layer under a shell will bunch at the shoulders and make the shell sit wrong. A fine gauge knit or a fleece is the right weight. The base layer should be a long sleeve T-shirt or a thermal, because the shell and the mid layer will not help if the base layer is a short sleeve and the cold gets in at the wrist.

Closing the gaps

The wind gets in through the gaps, not through the fabric, so the outfit has to be closed at every opening. A scarf tucked into the coat, not draped over it, because a draped scarf will blow off. A hat that fits snugly, not a loose beanie that the wind will take. Gloves, because cold hands are the first thing you notice on a windy day, and a coat that zips to the neck, because an open collar is a wind tunnel.

The scarf is the piece most people get wrong. A long scarf that hangs loose will flap in the wind and let the cold in at the neck. A scarf tucked into the coat, or a snood that sits close to the neck, keeps the wind out and stays where it belongs. The hat is the second piece: a beanie that fits snugly will stay on, and a wide brim hat will not.

What to wear on the bottom half

The bottom half matters less than the top, but it still matters. Trousers that are not too loose, because a wide leg will flap in the wind and let the cold in. A straight leg jean or a wool trouser with a boot works well, and a boot that covers the ankle keeps the wind from getting in at the hem.

A skirt on a windy day is a mistake, because the wind will lift it and the cold will get in underneath. If you have to wear a skirt, wear a heavy one with tights and a long coat, and accept that the wind will still get in. The practical choice is trousers, and the windy day is the day to make it.

Keep reading: Quick answers, About WeatherWear Weekly, and Rainy and 52 Degrees: November Outfits That End Dry cover the nearby cases in this series.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best jacket for a windy 45 degree day?

A windproof shell, a softshell or a lined rain jacket, over a warm mid layer like a fleece or a knit. The shell blocks the wind, and the mid layer holds the heat. A heavy coat without a windproof layer will let the wind straight through.

How do I keep warm when it is windy but not freezing?

Layer a windproof shell over a warm mid layer, and close every gap: a scarf tucked in, a hat that fits snugly, gloves, and a coat that zips to the neck. The wind gets in through the gaps, not through the fabric, so closing the gaps matters more than adding another layer.

Is a rain jacket good for wind?

Yes, if it is lined or worn over a warm mid layer. A rain jacket is windproof by design, because the membrane that keeps water out also keeps wind out. An unlined rain jacket on its own is not warm enough for 45 degrees, but over a fleece it is one of the best wind layers you can wear.

What should I wear on my legs on a windy day?

Trousers that are not too loose, because a wide leg will flap in the wind and let the cold in. A straight leg jean or a wool trouser with a boot works well. A skirt on a windy day is a mistake, because the wind will lift it and the cold will get in underneath.