Yes, You Can Look Elegant When It's Really Cold—These 7 Outfits Prove It

20 hours ago 8

Looking elegant in winter comes with its own unique set of challenges. In the spring/summer months it's very easy to look sophisticated without too much thought—pair a silk blouse with billowing wide-leg trousers and finish with a slingback, and you're on your way to creating a very chic outfit that only really requires further consideration by way of jewellery and a handbag. In winter, however, things are a little more complex, the cold being a big factor.

While I practically live in my padded coat at this particular point in the season, I feel anything but elegant when I wear it. However, when keeping toasty is a major priority, it's easy to gravitate towards pieces that guarantee cosiness. In doing so, however, you can overlook some surprisingly simple outfit formulas that, I have to say, look much more elevated than your standard bulky puffer, leggings and Uggs (please know I have nothing against these pieces or this type of outfit, but it's the truth).

So, what do elegant winter outfit ideas that genuinely work for the season look like? I've assembled seven for you below. Scroll on to see them.

7 Elegant Winter Outfits to Try

1. Cream Coat + Chic Hat + Tights + Heels

@sylviemus_ wears an elegant winter outfit consisting of a cream coat, sheer black tights, a wool bucket hat and pointed-toe mules

Style Notes: Cream coats always make for an elegant outerwear option. I love how Sylvie Mus has traded in the standard beanie hat in favour of this much more refined-looking minimalist wool bucket, too. Finishing her look with black heels, this outfit would look just as polished styled with pointed knee-high boots.

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Double-Breasted Coat

Winter Wool Bucket Hat Fisherman Cap Winter Warm Wool Vintage Felt Cloche Hat Fisherman Hats Winter Fedora Bucket Hat Bowler Hat Winter Windproof Cap Top Hat for Women Men Solid Color Style Brown

Luxe Leg High-Rise 60 Denier Shaping Tights

SPANX

Luxe Leg High-Rise 60 Denier Shaping Tights

Kitten Heel Boots

2. Maxi Skirt + Wool Jacket

@iamnkirote wears an elegant winter outfit featuring a grey pleated maxi skirt, white top and a cropped wool jacket

Style Notes: Maxi skirts are the ultimate cold-girl secret weapon, mainly because you can layer just about anything under them! Think thermal tights or even fleece-lined leggings if your wear a fuller silhouette. In place of a bulky coat, try layering a cropped woollen jacket over a warm top. While this T-shirt look might work for April, I recommend subbing in a roll neck until temperatures heat up a bit.

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Boxy Double-Faced Wool Jacket

COS

Boxy Double-Faced Wool Jacket

Pure Merino Wool Roll Neck Jumper

M&S Collection

Pure Merino Wool Roll Neck Jumper

Black Studded Belt

Whistles

Black Studded Belt

Lucy Skirt

3. Suede Jacket + Skinny Jeans + Ballet Pumps

@hannahlewisstylist wears an elegant winter outfit consisting of a suede jacket, skinny jeans and ballet flats

Style Notes: While leather acts as the cornerstone of many chic winter outfits (we'll speak more about these in a moment), suede is another option which feels extremely elevated. Yes, it might not be as rain resistant as it's slick counterpart, but it's just as cosy thanks to its sheer thickness. I also find skinny or straight-leg jeans to be much warmer than loose or barrel-leg pairs (less draughty!), so that would be my trouser option here. Again, where shoes are concerned, a minimalist leather boot won't go amiss if you need more coverage, but there's no denying the fact that a ballet flat looks very elegant, too.

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Brown Suede Blazer - X-Small (6-8)

De Savary London

Brown Suede Blazer

Scarf

The Looker Mid-Rise Skinny Jeans

MOTHER

The Looker Mid-Rise Skinny Jeans

Leather Ballet Pumps

4. Leather Jacket + Roll Neck Jumper + Miniskirt + Tights

@indiraci wears an elegant winter outfit consisting of a black leather jacket, grey wool miniskirt and a red roll neck knit

Style Notes: Miniskirts in winter? They can absolutely work! Again I advise seeking out thermal tights, which will help keep you warmer than standard pairs. Woollen miniskirts are the way to go, too, more so because they're more structured and less likely to blow around in the inevitable winter wind. Akin to the suede look above, a leather jacket will be toastier than lots of other options, too. Leather knee boots are no bad idea, either.

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Oversized Collared Leather Jacket

Oversized Collared Leather Jacket

100% Merino Crew Neck Jumper

Uniqlo

100% Merino Crew Neck Jumper

Pleated Herringbone Mini Skirt

& Other Stories

Pleated Herringbone Mini Skirt

Anja Leather Knee Boot

PARIS TEXAS

Anja Leather Knee Boot

5. Wool Coat + Jumper + Jeans + Bag

@fakerstrom wears an elegant winter outfit consisting of blue jeans, a grey jacket and an east-west shaped bag

Style Notes: One of the quickest ways to make a winter outfit look more elegant—especially when it consists of a coat and jeans—is with your accessories. A long leather glove here and a very sophisticated bag there will swiftly elevate your ensemble, leaving you free to layer up as you like.

Turtleneck Wool Coat - Women | Mango United Kingdom

MANGO

Turtleneck Wool Coat

Addie Cashmere Turtleneck Sweater

Free People

Addie Cashmere Turtleneck Sweater

+ Net Sustain '90s Pinch Waist High-Rise Straight-Leg Organic Jeans

AGOLDE

+ Net Sustain '90s Pinch Waist High-Rise Straight-Leg Organic Jeans

Women's East-West Andiamo in Black

Bottega Veneta

East-West Andiamo in Black

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6. Jumper + Wide-Leg Trousers + Secret Layers

@mimixn wears an elegant winter outfit consisting of a burgundy jumper, matching trousers, and mary jane shoes

Style Notes: There's something about generously-sized jumpers worn with wide-leg trousers that always looks so polished, and the best part about this particular combination is that it leaves room for layering almost anything underneath. I've taken to wearing tights under more fluid trouser styles to seal in the heat, and under a jumper such as this, you could easily hide a long-sleeve thermal top. This is one look I know I'll be re-creating come Fashion Month—the matching burgundy tones make this get-up all the more seamless.

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Liana Chunky Funnel Neck Jumper - Plum

WYSE London

Liana Chunky Funnel Neck Jumper in Plum

Lucy Williams Medium Chunky Ridge Hoop Earrings

Missoma

x Lucy Williams Medium Chunky Ridge Hoop Earrings

Straight Trousers

John Lewis Harrietta Mary Jane Leather Pumps

John Lewis

Harrietta Mary Jane Leather Pumps

7. Jumper + Jeans + Scarf + Clogs

@_jessicaskye wears an elegant winter outfit consisting of a cream jumper, blue jeans, brown suede tote bag and a navy scarf

Style Notes: A surefire way to make your outfits more elegant is sticking to a honed colour palette. Apply this logic to a pair of jeans, which you then style with a neutral jumper and accessories, then choose a cosy scarf in a similar tone or, indeed, a navy to match your jeans, and you've got an outfit that's casual but also very considered.

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Mock-Neck Double-Knit Jumper

& Other Stories

Mock-Neck Double-Knit Jumper

Scarf in Wool and Cashmere

Loewe

Scarf in Wool and Cashmere

Danielle Stretch High-Rise Slim-Leg Jeans

KHAITE

Danielle Stretch High-Rise Slim-Leg Jeans

Boston Suede Clogs

BIRKENSTOCK

Boston Suede Clogs

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