5 Easy Ways To Stay Warm Without Sacrificing Style, According To A Stylist

From the first snow to hot cocoa with marshmallows, wintertime brings a certain magic. Not quite as magical? The style rut that so many of us fall into year after year. After crisp fall ‘fits and holiday sparkles, the reality of below-30 mornings hits hard: dated snow boots and scarves paired with bulky puffer jackets—the death of personal style in favor of staying warm.

As a fashion student and New York City transplant, I was determined to face this dilemma head-on. For my first few years in the city, I risked hypothermia too many times to count in an effort to maintain my sartorial sensibilities year-round. Eventually, I picked up a few habits that helped bridge the gap between warmth and well-dressed.

If you’re ready to fall in love with your winter wardrobe, here are the best cold weather fashion hacks, according to a stylist.

Find a statement coat you love

Over a decade of New York winters has taught me one undeniable truth: your coat is everything, and the days I’ve stepped outside without a coat are few and far between. In that time, I’ve acquired a collection of beautiful coats that make winter dressing actually exciting. Why so many? Because during winter, your coat is often the one piece of clothing most people see—making it the most powerful way to show off your personal style. Consider the coat to be the focal point of your outfit, so you might as well make a statement with it.

“When the temperatures drop, you may be tempted to reach for more muted shades that match the season, like grays, browns, black, and navy,” Stitch Fix stylist Mika Harris explains. “Instead, I encourage clients to step outside the box and invest in 1-2 statement-making winter coats.”

Her advice for this year? “Eye-catching animal prints will be a top trend in 2025, so consider adding a below-the-knee leopard print coat into the mix,” Harris advises. “It will ensure you’re both warm and on-trend despite winter’s chill!”

Shopping picks:

The perfect way to incorporate animal print into your winter wardrobe: Leopard Pockets Long Wool Coat, The Commense, $115
A cruelty free jacket that adds a pop of color to any outfit: Hooded Puffer Jacket, Save The Duck, $348
A luxe neutral coat that personifies quiet luxury: Almond Groupie Coat, Selkie, $349.00
A classic silhouette in this year’s best color: Hampton Long Coat, The Frankie Shop, $359

Put your best foot forward

The allure of subdued shades and familiar styles extends to footwear, too—but dipping temperatures are no reason to retire your best kicks until spring. Add a few strategic styles that marry style with function: eternally chic knee-high boots, weather-friendly picks like SOREL x Proenza Schouler’s winter boots, and these knitted water-resistant boots (my personal go-to for cold, wet days).

Shopping picks:

A classic boot that you’ll wear every season: Hedda Tall Boots, Vagabond, $270
An exciting designer collab that is perfect for snow days: Caribou Chelsea Boots, SOREL x Proenza Schouler, $400
The under-$100 statement boots that you need in your closet: Square-Toe Water-Repellent Boots, Vivaia, $79

Mix and match your best layering pieces

Layering is an essential part of cold weather dressing—but that doesn’t mean it’s intuitive. According to Harris, it’s best to stick to a strategy, like Stitch Fix’s new “3 Layer Rule,” a simple method that creates an outfit using three distinct layers, with each serving a specific purpose to keep you comfortable and stylish.

“For winter dressing, build your outfit around a soft and cozy base layer, like a cashmere turtleneck or fitted waffle knit cardigan,” Harris advises. “From there, pair it with a middle layer that provides extra insulation, without being too heavy indoors, such as a leather jacket, and finish the look with an outer layer that acts as a final barrier against cold winds and snow or rain, like a wool coat.”

With the right layering pieces in place, you’ll be prepared for winter’s often unpredictable weather.

Shopping picks:

The perfect base to every warm outfit: Seamless Silk-Cashmere Turtleneck Sweater, Lily Silk, $149
An easy layer hack in an unexpected hue: Newt Sweater Set, Sandy Liang, $450
This chunky knit sweater is what dreams are made of: Cashmere Mockneck Sweater, Club Monaco, $298
This sleek leather jacket is perfect for layering: Essex Dickey Jacket, Veronica Beard, $419

Pick up a few pairs of fleece-lined tights

I’m embarrassed to say that I avoided tights for far too long. As a dress girl through and through, my poor legs were freezing every time I chose a flowy long dress instead of dreaded pants. It was a necessary sacrifice, I reminded myself with every gust of wind, until I fell into the Gucci tights trend and realized there’s some merit here after all.

Fast forward to today, and I have a drawer full of tights. The MVP in my drawer? These under $20 fleece-lined tights that look like ultra-chic sheers while serving up peak coziness. They’ve become such a staple in my winter wardrobe that I’ve reordered the same style multiple times—they’re the perfect way to wear short dresses and skirts year round.

Shopping picks:

A luxe option that feels as good as it looks: Velvet Touch Tights, The Commense, $12
The under-$20 pair that rivals designer options: Fleece-Lined Tights, Amazon, $19.99

Don’t forget to accessorize

Before leaving the house, complete your look with the perfect hat or pair of gloves. “Winter accessories are a less flashy (but still impactful!) way to highlight your personal style without sacrificing warmth,” Harris explains.

If you can’t commit to a statement coat or boots, consider adding a pop of color in a smaller way. “Adding a pop of unexpected color is a simple upgrade to an otherwise drab winter look without sacrificing warmth when you’re bundling up against the elements,” Harris recommends.

One of our favorite shades is Wisteria, a dreamy shade of purple that evokes softness and sophistication, which Stitch Fix named as its 2025 Color of the Year. Harris suggests incorporating this trending hue into your winter rotation through oversized scarves, beanies, and gloves.

Shopping picks: