9 Winter Fashion Trends to Wear This Season, According to Professional Stylists
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Believe it or not, frigid conditions make for optimal fashion moments, meaning it's time to get enthused about winter outfits. Fortunately, there's more to dressing for the coldest season than just throwing on bulky sweaters and layers galore. From cozy knits to statement coats — not to mention, endless ways to accessorize with different types of hats, scarves, and boots — there are so many pieces to play around with when the temperature drops.
The key is to create looks as fashionable as they are functional, with pieces that look cute and keep you warm. For inspiration, we asked stylists for the winter outfits they can't wait to put together this season.
Check out their sartorial recommendations below.
Black Leather
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Wearing black from head to toe will always be a look. It's timeless, classic, and a foolproof aesthetic if you're going for pulled-together and feel like you have "nothing" to wear. However, if you're ready for an upgrade, one of the ways black is coming back this winter is in the form of leather, a top trend Liz Teich of The New York Stylist said she's on board with.
"I was resistant for a while because vegan leather can be bad for the environment and quality leather can be so pricey, but I've found great recycled leather pants and even a pre-owned leather mini skirt to get my fix," Teich told InStyle. "Leather pants are also such a great comfortable alternative to hard pants (i.e. jeans), so I'm definitely reaching for them before my sweats to be cozy yet put-together this season."
Related: Ethical Leather Is the Biggest Fight in Fashion Right Now
Matching Sweatsuits
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It's no surprise that the matching set trend is still going strong, especially as the temperatures take a dip and loungewear-like looks feel so tempting. Wardrobe stylist Brandon Nicholas said that oversized matching sweatsuits, in particular, are panning out to be the go-to look for the upcoming season, complete with an oversized trench or oversized denim jacket and cowboy boots.
"I feel like this embodies what is winter fashion now. With the mixture of athleisure meets '90s grunge, this look gives me Princess Diana meets Bella Hadid," Nicholas said. "It can give you the effortless fashion look everyone wants while still feeling like you are at home watching a holiday movie."
Mixed Proportions
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'Tis the season for layers, layers, layers. Personal style advisor for MiKADO Personal Styling, Jordan Stolch, told InStyle that more fabric means extra room to experiment with different silhouettes.
"It's all about playing with proportions," Stolch explained. "The juxtaposition between oversized and fitted, micro and longline — it's the unexpected pairings that make this look inherently cool, with less focus on the individual pieces and more attention to how they're put together." Stolch added, "Combinations I'm rocking this season are a thin-knit turtleneck under an oversized boyfriend button-down, a leather miniskirt paired with tights, boots, and a boxy blazer, or wide-leg trousers plus an unstructured wool coat and a long-sleeved tee."
Combat Boots
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Footwear in winter needs to strike a balance between fashion and function, which is why San Diego-based personal stylist Vanessa Valiente is excited about lace-up combat boots.
"This trend blossomed a bit ago but has grown into a diverse offering from many designers," Valiente told us. "This winter, there are so many au courant combat boots that are not only comfortable but waterproof, and they can be paired with everything from cropped wide-leg pants and leggings to a formal frock for an edgy look."
Faux Fur Accessories
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Not only are faux fur coats and fuzzy-lined boots a must for winter, but celebrity stylist Mickey Freeman is dubbing this the year of faux fur handbags and headwear, including baseball caps, trapper hats, buckets, and beanies, all styled in elevated ways.
"The resurgence of the furry accessories trend, which includes furry handbags and headwear, will reign supreme," Freeman said. "Already reflected in collections by fashion brands like Loewe, Marni, The Attico, and Dries Von Noten, to name a few, these cold-weather staples have been reworked by way of interesting colorways and materials, including shearling, mohair, brushed wool/alpaca, feathers, and treated faux fur."
Related: The Only Handbags We Want This Winter Are Cozy Ones
Puffer Pants
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Each winter, puffer coats remain in high demand, and Freeman noted the outerwear option is back as the season's mascot, although it's been reimagined this winter.
"Drawing inspiration from the traditional puffer parka, the puffer/insulated pant is a must-have and the perfect add-on to your winter wardrobe," Freeman insisted. "Sunglasses are also getting inflated by way of Loewe's Creative Director Jonathan Anderson for the house's Fall/Winter womenswear collection. During frigid temperatures, complete the look with a Eugenia Kim puffer balaclava to match."
Turtleneck Dresses
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Fashion stylist and style expert Naina Singla cited turtleneck dresses as her most anticipated trend for the winter season because they're effortlessly sophisticated.
"A turtleneck dress — both maxi length and shorter length — is so sleek and chic, it makes an easy, go-to outfit for cold-weather days," Singla said. "Choose lightweight materials like sheer georgette (Khaite makes a gorgeous one), cashmere, or a knitwear option for a more cozy winter look."
Related: Celebrities Never Dress for the Weather
Balletcore
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InStyle first reported balletcore as a budding trend in January 2022, but it appears the look is still going strong.
"I love this trend right now of all things dainty and delicate," Singla said of the sweet aesthetic.
Singla also added that Mary Janes are also the shoe du jour, and when worn with leg warmers, keep with the balletcore aesthetic.
Layered Slip Dresses
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As mentioned earlier, winter is all about layering. This season, consider reaching for dresses as your base layer and nail a winter outfit that is chic, cozy, and, best of all, unexpected.
"I also love a good slip dress for winter — so feminine and delicate," Singla told us. "An update to this trend is slip dresses in pastel shades with longer hemlines. Simply add a piece of oversized knitwear and a pair of chunky boots for a more cozy winter look."
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