7 winter outfit ideas to see you through the colder months in style
So you've finally admitted that winter is in full swing. A bottle of de-icer is on standby, the central heating is on full blast and you've unearthed your collection of sturdy coats, cosy knits and weather-appropriate accessories. But now you've been faced with your winter wardrobe for the first time in months, the prospect of wearing these pieces in a way that's both stylish and practical feels overwhelming.
If this sounds like you, don't accept defeat; there are many failsafe winter outfit ideas that you can tweak and turn out again and again, whether you want to opt for an abundance of layers or need an outfit that will skilfully navigate alternating temperatures.
The autumn/winter 2024 runways were rich in inspiration for the season. Country set style was heavily referenced in the collections, with heritage checks embraced at Acne, Vivienne Westwood and Burberry, while cable knits, argyle jumpers, tweeds and herringbone styles proliferated across the shows, including at Altuzarra, Coperni and Fendi.
Scarf silhouettes also made a sweeping statement, manifesting in billowing coats at Chloé, and Alberta Ferretti, and sophisticated over-the-shoulder knits at Bottega Veneta, Etro and Issey Miyake. Tailoring remained a focus across the collections, with a while over-the-knee boots made a strong appearance at Gucci, Chloé and Dior.
Below, we've rounded up the best winter outfit ideas that marry inspiration from the autumn/winter 24 runways with classic winter staples, so you can approach dressing for the day with an attitude of sangfroid rather than bone-chilling fear.
Shades of grey
Furnished necks were having their moment across this season's shows, and fashion influencers have taken to the streets with their own spin on the trend. Scarf coats are a great way into the trend, but for an laissez-faire approach to dressing, throwing your favourite jumper over your shoulders works just as well. This outfit brings the trend together with tonal dressing, offering a dependable formula for a put-together outfit.
Wool and cashmere coat
Oversized wool and cashmere-blend sweater
Valen mid-rise straight jeans
Stretch-leather ankle boots
Unpretentious tailoring
A two-piece trouser suit is an eternal classic, but for something with a more casual edge, try mixing and matching neutral colours throughout your outfit. Rosie Huntington-Whiteley demonstrates how sticking with minimalist tones can result in a l0w-key yet luxe look, adding thoughtful touches with her accessories. Pair the look with a white t-shirt and trainers for a dressed-down approach, or match with a black roll-neck top and pointed stiletto heels for a more evening-ready attire.
Sara oversized woven blazer
Silk-dupioni straight-leg pants
Frame grained leather belt
105 suede pumps
£510.00 at net-a-porter.com.uk
Winter brights
Layering vivid colours such as green and electric blue with more neutral pieces is an easy way to brighten up your winter look. A trench coat is one of our favourite seasonal staples, and will carry you through to late spring; it provides any outfit with an element of tailoring, benefitting from a lighter fabric in comparison to traditional wool coats. In the depths of winter, bundle up with chunky scarves and knitted hoods, which you can begin to shed as we creep closer to the warmer months. To take this outfit from day to night, a simple switch to a pair of kitten heel slingbacks or heeled ankle boots is all that's required.
Serrano cashmere sweater
£435.00 at net-a-porter.com.uk
Belted double-breasted cotton-blend twill trench coat
Cynthia high-rise straight jeans
Samba leather low-top trainers
Luxe leathers
Leather trenches are very much back, but we've traded The Matrix references for Parisian street-style inspiration. Don't be afraid to layer different fabrics and textures, like this sheer black-top-and-denim combo, which will make for a more interesting contrast against the luxe finish of the leather.
Sheer crew-neck t-shirt
High-rise straight jeans
Tina double-breasted regular-fit faux-leather coat
Leopard Print Pony Hair Ballet Flats
Shearling chic
The shearling has shaken off its Del Boy associations to be embraced by the fashion set as a much-loved classic style. Look to Lily Rose-Depp who recently styled a worn-in version of the jacket two ways in one day, demonstrating its versatility and why it's deserving of a spot in your winter wardrobe. Meanwhile, Brown continues to be a reigning hue for the upcoming season, so we recommend indulging in a monochrome approach and pair a chocolate-hued shearling with matching trousers and loafers.
Tatoosh shearling-lined suede jacket
Wide-leg wool trousers
Brown Aventure Tote Bag
Danielle glossed croc-effect leather loafers
Over the shoulder
Another way to dip your toe into the scarf neckline trend from the autumn/winter runways is to invest in a tasteful over-the-shoulder jumper. Toteme's cult scarf jacket has been reimagined in knitwear form, with brands such as Staud and Cos releasing their own takes on the style. This style of jumper can be styled with a pair of black wide-leg trousers for a sleek workwear option, or paired with a maxi skirt and ballet flats for a polished daytime look.
Attached-scarf sweater
Calfskin hammock mini bag
Virgin wool maxi skirt
Eddie 2.0 ballerina shoes
Faux-fur glamour
Faux-fur coats have received the celebrity seal of approval from style muses including Suki Waterhouse and Rihanna, and bring a much-needed element of luxury to our grey-tinged winter days. Soft shearling fabrics have become popular this season as an alternative to fur pelts, while faux fur iterations have come on leaps and bounds in recent years, with brands such as Rotate, Isabel Marant, and Prada offering luxe-looking coats that look incredibly close to the real thing. A piece like this will elevate even the most basic pair of jeans, but its sophistication when worn with a silk skirt is second to none.
Soft shearling coat
Jersey turtleneck top
Isaak silk satin midi-skirt
Joyous leather slingback pumps
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