We’ll be the first to admit that style takes a back seat to comfort when it’s cold out. But the best winter fashion trends of 2023 can inspire us to break out of the doldrums of frigid weather, and what better way to do that than with a shiny new outfit?
Building on the fall trends that we’re still loving, this season’s best looks marry comfort with visual impact. Color-wise, rich red is still the color of the moment, but we’re also seeing all-gray outfits everywhere we look. (Don’t worry, we’ll let you choose whether you want to make a statement or prefer to blend in.) Jeans are getting darker and darker by the minute. Metallics are also popping up everywhere, just in time for you to throw together an Insta-ready ’fit for your office holiday party.
Obviously, since it’s getting chilly, the girls are wearing longer jackets, but this winter’s picks are bolder than the plain black winter coat you’ve had hanging in your closet for years. And while many of this season’s picks gesture toward officewear and uniforms (think: pinstriped suits, roomy trousers, pleated skirts), great styling makes them feel like anything but work. Ready for a new crop of winter wardrobe essentials? Keep these key winter fashion trends in mind the next time you have no idea what to wear—and shop our edit below for extra inspiration.
1. Standout Outerwear
The fashion girlies have spoken: The gloom of winter is no excuse for boring outerwear. Whether you go with a bold print, a unique silhouette, an eye-catching color, or some combination of the three, a statement-making coat will pay dividends when you’re surrounded by a sea of black puffer jackets.
2. Seeing Red
Bold red, often in a full tonal look, made an appearance on nearly all of our favorite Fashion Week runways this season. Whether your favorite shade is ruby or Brandywine tomato, the mood is the same: Bold, unapologetic, and sultry. It’s exactly the energy we need to get through the coldest months of the year.
3. Dark Denim
While light-wash denim currently reigns supreme, take a look around any major city and you’ll notice cool people starting to rock darker shades of indigo, which feels fresher and moodier for winter. The current silhouette of choice is straight-legged or wider—more on that below—but all you really need to do to be on-trend is pick a look that you like in a deep blue hue.
4. Power Dressing
What’s the easiest way to boost your confidence this season? Dressing like you’re a member of the C-suite, of course. We’re inspired by how subtly (or not-so-subtly) these outfits subvert the codes of office attire, turning traditionally masculine pieces into something edgier. Stock up on the oversized blazers, white button-downs, trousers, and loafers your peers wear to work, then add a few unexpected elements (knee-high boots, designer bags, statement jewelry) to take your ’fit to another level.
5. Going Gray
Hot take: Gray might be the most underrated color. It’s often dinged for being boring, which is understandable, but in an all-gray outfit—of which we’ve seen many in the past few weeks—it transforms into an undeniably chic shade. When the season goes gray, you might as well reflect it; these comfy, stylish looks prove that there’s actually an entire monochrome rainbow just waiting to be explored.
6. Baggy Pants
Oversized silhouettes are still going strong this winter, which is great news for those of us who prefer relaxed (read: comfortable) trousers. Pleated, menswear-inspired picks are shockingly easy to style with almost anything—try a white T-shirt when you’re inside and a cropped puffer when you’re braving the elements. Take your oversized style to the next level and add a corduroy and vegan leather lend for a little more texture. (For the record we have nothing against skinny jeans, which we suspect might make a true comeback before long.)
7. Pleats, Please
Fashion’s current obsession with girlhood shows no sign of slowing down—peep the current avalanche of bows, rosettes, and flowy pleats on streets and catwalks alike. Pleated skirts have come a long way since you last wore a school uniform; style them with officewear for an academic aesthetic or go a little more punk with a leather bomber jacket, boots, and maybe even pants underneath. And with the holidays on the horizon, a metallic, party-ready option is a smart investment.