The temperatures are heading south, which means it’s time to perform the annual ritual: digging out a mountain of sweaters from the back of the closet only to realize you’ve forgotten what you actually own. Getting dressed when it’s cold can feel like a chore, a daily puzzle of how to stay warm without looking like you’ve been wrapped in a duvet. But dressing for winter can be enjoyable and a chance to express your style.
This season’s trends are surprisingly wearable and offer a refreshing update to your cold-weather rotation. These trends are meant to inspire, not to create a shopping list that causes a panic attack. The goal is to find what makes you feel good.
Here are some fresh ways to style your way through the colder months.
1. Faux Fur Everything
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The glamour of a fur coat without any of the ethical dilemmas? Sign us up. Faux fur has become a winter staple, adding a touch of luxury and serious warmth to any outfit. This season, it’s not just about the classic coat. You’ll find it on everything from handbags to boot trim, providing a plush accent that instantly elevates a look. A faux fur coat can make a simple jeans-and-sweater combo feel intentional and chic.
- Styling Tip: To avoid feeling overwhelmed by a full faux fur coat, pair it with streamlined pieces like slim-leg jeans or a simple knit dress. This balances the volume and keeps the focus on the texture. If a full coat feels too bold, try a faux fur collar, scarf, or even a handbag for a smaller, yet impactful, dose of the trend.
- Care Tip: To keep your faux fur looking its best, brush it gently with a soft-bristle brush to detangle any matting. Spot clean small stains with a mild detergent and cold water, and for a full cleaning, it’s often best to trust a dry cleaner who specializes in faux fur.
2. Slouchy Boots
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Move over, stiff and structured footwear. Slouchy boots are making a comeback, bringing with them a relaxed and effortless attitude. The gentle drape of the material around the ankle and calf creates a softer silhouette that works beautifully with both skirts and pants. They offer comfort without sacrificing style, making them a perfect choice for days when you’re on your feet but still want to look put together.
- Styling Tip: Pair knee-high slouchy boots with a knee-length skirt or a sweater dress. The boots will fill the gap, keeping your legs warm. For a more casual approach, tuck your favorite straight-leg jeans into a pair of ankle-height slouchy boots.
- Care Tip: Use a boot shaper or pool noodle pieces inside your boots when storing them. This will help them maintain their shape and prevent permanent creasing in the material.
3. Maxi Coats
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There is a certain drama to a coat that skims your ankles, and this season is all about embracing it. The maxi coat is the ultimate piece of winter armor, offering maximum warmth and an immediate dose of sophistication. It acts as a full-body shield against the wind while creating a long, elegant line. Throwing a maxi coat over even the most basic outfit gives you an instant air of mystery and polish.
- Styling Tip: A maxi coat is a statement piece on its own. Keep the rest of your outfit relatively simple to let the coat shine. It works just as well over a formal dress for an evening out as it does over leggings and a hoodie for a weekend coffee run.
- Care Tip: Pay attention to the hem. Because these coats are so long, they can easily pick up dirt and slush from the street. Treat the hem with a fabric protector spray at the beginning of the season and spot clean it regularly.
4. Chunky Textured Knits
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This is the fashion equivalent of a warm hug. Chunky knits with pronounced textures like cable knits, fisherman’s ribbing, and popcorn stitches are front and center. These sweaters are not just about warmth; they are about adding visual interest and dimension to your outfit. An oversized, textured knit is a versatile piece that can be dressed up or down with ease.
- Styling Tip: Half-tuck a chunky sweater into the waistband of trousers or a satin slip skirt. This simple trick defines your waist and prevents the sweater from looking frumpy. For a layered look, wear it over a collared shirt, letting the collar and cuffs peek out.
- Care Tip: Never hang your chunky knits, as the weight of the sweater will stretch it out of shape. Fold them neatly and store them in a drawer or on a shelf. Wash by hand in cold water with a gentle detergent and lay flat to dry.
5. Slim & Straight-Leg Jeans
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While wider styles still have their place, the pendulum is swinging back toward a more tailored silhouette. Slim and straight-leg jeans offer a polished alternative that’s incredibly versatile. They provide a clean line that works well with the bulkier sweaters and coats of the season. This cut is timeless and offers a more fitted look without the constriction of a super-skinny jean.
- Styling Tip: This denim cut is a perfect canvas. Pair them with ankle boots, ballet flats, or even knee-high boots. Because of their streamlined shape, they allow your footwear and your top to be the main focus of the outfit.
- Care Tip: To preserve the color and fit, wash your jeans as infrequently as possible. When you do wash them, turn them inside out and use cold water on a gentle cycle. Hang them to dry to prevent shrinking and fabric breakdown.
6. Shearling Details
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This trend brings a touch of rustic, mountain retreat style to everyday life. Shearling, or its equally wonderful faux counterpart, is appearing as a warm lining on jackets, a fuzzy trim on collars and cuffs, and even as the main material for bags and shoes. It provides exceptional warmth and a wonderfully soft texture that feels great against the skin.
- Styling Tip: A jacket with a shearling collar is an easy way to participate in this trend. The detail draws attention to your face and adds a classic, rugged feel. For a bolder statement, an aviator jacket fully lined with shearling is a winter outerwear hero.
- Care Tip: For real shearling, it’s best to see a professional cleaner. For faux shearling, you can often spot clean with a damp cloth. Avoid high heat when cleaning or drying, as it can damage the texture of the fibers.
7. Knee-Length Skirts
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Skirts are not just for the warmer months. The knee-length skirt, particularly in heavier fabrics like wool, tweed, or leather, is a sophisticated choice for winter. This length is exquisite and office-appropriate, but it can also be styled for a casual weekend. Paired with the right hosiery and boots, it’s a practical and chic way to break out of a pants-only winter routine.
- Styling Tip: Create a seamless look by pairing a knee-length skirt with knee-high boots. Add a pair of opaque or textured tights for extra warmth and visual interest. A fitted turtleneck tucked into the skirt completes the polished ensemble.
- Care Tip: Pay close attention to the fabric. Wool and tweed skirts will likely require dry cleaning. For leather or faux leather, wipe clean with a damp cloth and use a conditioner to keep the material from drying out.
8. Trousers
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Structured trousers are no longer reserved for the boardroom. Bringing a pair of tailored trousers into your winter wardrobe adds an instant dose of “I’ve got it together” energy. Pleated, wide-leg, or straight-cut styles in fabrics like wool, corduroy, or a heavy cotton twill offer warmth and structure. They are a comfortable and stylish alternative to jeans.
- Styling Tip: For a balanced silhouette, pair wide-leg trousers with a more fitted top, like a simple crewneck sweater or a bodysuit. A pair of sharp, pointed-toe boots peeking out from under the hem looks incredibly chic.
- Care Tip: To keep your trousers looking crisp, hang them by the cuff or fold them carefully over a hanger immediately after wearing them to prevent wrinkles. Follow the care label instructions, as many tailored trousers require dry cleaning.
9. Scarf Coats
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This two-in-one design is both clever and incredibly stylish. A scarf coat features a built-in panel of fabric that you can wrap around your neck just like a scarf. It eliminates the problem of finding a matching scarf and ensures a perfectly coordinated, bundled-up look every time. It’s a functional detail that adds a dramatic, high-fashion element to your outerwear.
- Styling Tip: Let the built-in scarf be the star. Keep your other accessories minimal. You can style the scarf panel in different ways: drape it over one shoulder, wrap it snugly around your neck, or let it hang loose for a more relaxed feel.
- Care Tip: When cleaning, give the scarf portion the same attention as the rest of the coat. If you’re spot treating a stain on the scarf, use a gentle hand to avoid stretching the fabric.
10. Statement Belts Over Coats
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This simple styling trick can completely transform your winter outerwear. Cinching a belt over your coat defines your waist, creating a flattering hourglass shape that can get lost under bulky layers. A statement belt, be it wide, has a unique buckle, or is in a contrasting color, adds a point of interest and a layer of personal style to your coat.
- Styling Tip: This works best on coats that don’t already have a belt, such as straight-cut wool coats or oversized puffers. Experiment with different belt widths to see what best complements your coat and your body shape. A wider belt often makes more of an impact.
- Care Tip: Store your belts properly to help them keep their shape. Roll leather belts and store them in a drawer, or hang them from a hanger by the buckle.
11. Crushed Velvet
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Velvet always makes a reappearance during the holiday season, but this year it’s the crushed variety that’s catching our eye. Crushed velvet has a unique texture and sheen that gives it a more relaxed, slightly vintage feel compared to its smoother cousin. It adds a touch of glamour and richness to an outfit, making it perfect for festive occasions or for just making a Tuesday feel special.
- Styling Tip: A crushed velvet blazer is a fantastic piece to have. Throw it over a simple t-shirt and jeans to instantly dress them up. A crushed velvet dress or skirt paired with black tights and ankle boots is a perfect party-ready look.
- Care Tip: Crushed velvet can be delicate. Check the label, as some pieces are machine washable on a gentle cycle, but others may be dry clean only. Turn garments inside out before washing and avoid ironing, which can flatten the texture.
12. Ballet Flats with Socks
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This preppy, slightly academic combination is back in a big way. Pairing delicate ballet flats with socks, whether they are fine-knit, ribbed, or even a sheer pattern, adds an unexpected and charming twist to an outfit. It’s a way to wear your favorite flats deeper into the cold season while adding a layer of warmth and a pop of personality.
- Styling Tip: This looks especially great with cropped pants or knee-length skirts, where there’s a deliberate gap to show off the sock-and-shoe combination. For a classic look, try a pair of black ballet flats with simple white or grey ribbed socks. For more fun, experiment with colored or patterned socks.
- Care Tip: Since your socks are on full display, make sure they are in good condition—no holes or stretched-out elastic. Keep your ballet flats clean and scuff-free to maintain the polished look of this pairing.
13. Rich Brown Tones
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Black will always be a winter classic, but this season, brown is giving it some serious competition. Shades from deep chocolate and espresso to warm caramel and camel are everywhere. Brown feels softer and warmer than black, and it pairs beautifully with other colors like cream, forest green, and burgundy. A head-to-toe monochromatic brown look is incredibly luxe.
- Styling Tip: Try layering different shades of brown in one outfit. A camel coat over a chocolate brown sweater with tan trousers creates a sophisticated, tonal look. Brown also serves as a great neutral base for a pop of color, like a bright red bag or a blue scarf.
- Care Tip: For brown leather goods like boots and bags, use a colored polish or conditioner to cover scuffs and keep the leather supple.
14. Plaid & Houndstooth Sets
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Matching sets take the guesswork out of getting dressed, and this season they are appearing in timeless patterns like plaid and houndstooth. A coordinated blazer and skirt or pant set is a powerful look that is both classic and modern. The best part is the versatility; you can wear the pieces together for a bold statement or separately to get more mileage out of your wardrobe.
- Styling Tip: Wear a plaid suit with a simple silk camisole or a fine-knit turtleneck underneath. Break up the set by pairing the blazer with jeans or the trousers with a chunky cream sweater.
- Care Tip: To keep the colors of the set consistent, always wash or dry clean the pieces together, even if only one piece seems dirty. This prevents one piece from fading faster than the other.
15. The Puffer Vest
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The puffer vest is an incredibly practical layering piece that has shaken off its purely functional reputation to become a stylish staple. It provides core warmth without the bulk of a full coat, making it perfect for transitional weather or for layering under a lighter jacket. It adds a sporty, casual element to any outfit.
- Styling Tip: Layer a puffer vest over a thick sweater or even a denim jacket. For a more fashion-forward take, try belting a longer puffer vest to give it more shape. It’s the perfect weekend piece for staying warm while on the go.
- Care Tip: Most puffer vests can be machine-washed. Use a gentle cycle with cold water. To restore the loft of the filling, toss it in the dryer on low heat with a few clean tennis balls.
Putting It All Together
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Updating your winter style doesn’t require a complete closet overhaul. Find inspiration and incorporate new ideas that resonate with you. It could be a statement belt to breathe new life into your old coat, or a pair of slouchy boots to change up your footwear game.
Choose one or two trends that genuinely excite you and experiment with integrating them into the wardrobe you already have. Wear something you’d not have been caught unconscious in before. Fashion should be fun, playful, daring. Have fun with it, stay warm, and embrace the chance to get creative with your layers.