As someone who has spent 15 years in Alabama and thrives on summer heat, the harshness of winter makes me miserable. Waking up to 20-degree weather knowing I have to get ready for class makes it extremely difficult to get up in the morning.

When I do finally drag myself out of my warm bed and get dressed, I search for any outfit that will keep me from dying of frostbite. During the day, it makes sense to put warmth over trendiness and wear the warmest sweatshirt and hoodie just to survive the walk to class.

But what about at night? The temperature drops even more, but we still want to dress up and go out. I, for one, am all for the idea of hibernating every night until March. But realistically speaking, Tuscaloosa nightlife cannot be stopped by the freezing temperatures. There are still formals to attend, bars to frequent and many other nighttime activities that require you to face the cold.

If you have any formals, semi-formals or other dressy events, the easiest thing to do would be to just throw a nice winter coat over a strapless dress. For those looking for a bit more thermal protection, opt for a dress that covers your arms. Stores such as Charlotte Russe carry party dresses that have long-sleeves in nice winter colors like blue, green and black. Many of the dresses have thin material in the sleeves, so you still need a coat, of course. But the thinness will keep you from getting too hot once you reach your event.

If you want to be a little more daring, try a dress with only one sleeve. It will make your look a little sassier and, again, will keep you from sweating as soon as you walk into the heated building.

For shoes, try a closed-toe heel in order to keep your toes from freezing. Another option is to wear heeled booties to add a bit of edginess to your outfit.

For any dates, dinners or just a night out on the Strip, you have a variety of choices that can keep you warm. If you want to be a little dressed up, a sweater dress is perfect. Throw on a pair of pretty, patterned tights underneath the dress and finish the look with closed-toe heels or boots. If you do not own a sweater dress, try warming up a regular short-sleeved dress from summer or fall. Throw a pretty jacket or cardigan over it and add a fun scarf. For extra warmth, wear a nice pea coat or faux-fur-lined coat over the outfit and invest in a good pair of gloves.

Do not let the harsh low temperatures ruin your weekend plans to go out. Go dance and hang out with friends while staying warm and cute. Or, if you really are not a fan of the cold, staying in and watching a movie in your pajamas really isn’t that bad either.