Winter is when styling becomes more versatile. Sweatshirts, heavy jackets, knitwear, layers and headwear mean that you can use the same winter basics over and over again to put together practical yet stylish winter outfits.
The trick is having enough of the right pieces to put an outfit together with ease. Stocking up on a few good winter basics can get you far, particularly when you know how to layer them.
From daily winter outfits to colder days when you need to wrap up and stay warm, here are the pieces worth adding to your rotation this cold season.
The best winter wardrobe doesn’t consist of infinite clothes; basics are the best place to start.
A jacket is going to get the most use during winter, so it needs to be versatile.
A puffer coat is an easy choice for casual days and pairs well with a hoodie or sweatshirt, particularly if you need to stay warm for long periods of time. Or, for a smarter look, try pairing a structured jacket with a jumper, jeans or relaxed trousers.
Black, navy, brown and other neutral shades of clothing are the best starting points as they go with almost anything, but don't shy away from colour now and then if the rest of your wardrobe is fairly neutral-heavy.
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A sweatshirt can sit underneath a jacket, pair with jeans or even tracksuit bottoms. Hoodies are basically the same, but offer a more relaxed, streetwear-led look.
If sweatshirts and hoodies feel too casual or aren’t your thing, a chunky knit with a jacket and trousers is perfect for being out and about, whilst keeping you warm. Owning at least one sweatshirt, hoodie and a piece of knitwear allows you to chop and change through Winter with different jackets and trousers to keep your look fresh.
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Even in winter, it’s still handy to have a few lighter options.
A T-shirt or vest underneath a sweatshirt or jumper provides a base layer and makes temperature control much easier when moving between the cold outside and warmer indoor spaces.
Basics are always best; invest in some good quality plain black, white and neutral tees, but also weave in a few colours to keep your fashion palette varied.
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A good pair of jeans is a must-have for Winter fashion. But jeans aren’t a one-size-fits-all thing; it’s important that you get a high-quality pair that are going to hold their shape through various seasons. Poor quality jeans over time can sag and lose their shape.
Straight-leg and relaxed jeans pair particularly well with sweatshirts, oversized jackets and trainers. If you're wearing a bigger coat or jumper, a roomier jean can help keep proportions of the outfit balanced.
You don't need to just stick to denim either. Cargo trousers, chinos and other styles pair with most things, and make a change from jeans or tracksuit bottoms.
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Winter is a good excuse to update your headwear rotation.
A cap adds a nice finishing touch to any outfit, and can be a great solution in the wind and rain of winter when you don’t want a bad hair day. When it's really cold, beanies work with heavier layers and winter jackets, and help keep your head and ears warm.
They’re a firm favourite for anyone outdoorsy or for anyone watching sports outside during the coldest months of the year.
SHOP WINTER HATS
Aside from layering, there are a lot of fabrics often associated with colder months and overall winter fashion.
Cord caps and apparel are a natural choice for winter. Its distinctive ridged texture adds character and breaks up basic cottons.
For headwear, you'll find cord across silhouettes including the 59FIFTY, 9FORTY and 9TWENTY. Experiment with brown earthy tones, olive or darker cord cap with a sweatshirt, denim and a jacket. Or stick to basic neutrals and break up materials with a cord cap.
Wool is often associated with the cold; chunky wool scarves, wool bobble hats and gloves are common accessories in colder temperatures. Wool hats and berets are a particularly good choice if you’re wanting something smarter and genuinely warm.
New Era's current wool range includes different silhouettes, including fitteds and A-Frame styles. Alongside headwear, Merino wool also features in the knitwear apparel collections, providing practical but stylish options when building texture into a colder-weather outfit.
Suede is a good option when you want something simple but different from your usual cotton or nylon cap.
The soft, brushed texture works particularly well with autumn and winter colours such as tan, brown, beige and dark green. A suede cap teams nicely alongside a wool coat or knitwear, but it also works with a simple sweatshirt and jeans.
Leather caps have a slightly sharper feel than your everyday cotton or ‘softer’ styles, perfect for adding edge to a winter outfit.
A black leather cap works particularly well with darker layers, from a bomber jacket and sweatshirt to a long coat and knitwear. If you wear a lot of black, try introducing different textures through your jacket, trousers and headwear rather than relying on colour to create contrast.
Leather also works well when you're mixing casual and smarter pieces, making it a versatile cap choice for all seasons throughout the year.
When the cold really kicks in, you can take your winter headwear a step further with a Dog Ear cap.
The Dog Ear 59FIFTY combines the familiar structured 59FIFTY shape with ear covers designed for colder weather. Current styles include versions with faux-fur ear covers, as well as different fabric treatments.
They're a good option for very cold days when keeping warm is essential.
Wear one with a winter jacket, heavyweight sweatshirt and jeans for a practical cold-weather outfit.
Once you've sorted the main layers, headwear, bags and winter accessories like scarves can compete the outfit.
It's also an opportunity to show a bit of personality. Your jacket might be practical, and your trousers might be a staple, but your cap can incorporate a team, colours, characters, or graphics that make the outfit feel more like ‘you’.
A beanie is the standard choice when it gets really cold outside, but it’s nice to wear something that reflects your style at the same time rather than just for practicality. Try a cuffed beanie with a puffer, heavyweight sweatshirt, and relaxed trousers for an easy cold-weather outfit. With a longer coat or oversized jacket, a fitted beanie can help keep the overall balance. If it's a milder day, a cap offers a similar finishing touch without adding another heavy layer.
The 59FIFTY has a structured shape, so it’s a pretty strong, bold accessory to pair with your winter style. Try one with an oversized hoodie, relaxed trousers and a bomber jacket or puffer jacket. You can also use the colour of the cap to pull together different elements of your outfit. Pick out a colour from your trainers, jacket or another detail to match your accessories for a pop of colour.
The 9FORTY is an everyday option when you want something a bit more laid back and casual. Because the shape is less structured than a 59FIFTY, it works well when the rest of the outfit is already quite put together. If you've got a statement jacket or bold graphic jumper, a simple 9FORTY can help bring everything together.
The best winter wardrobe is one that can be mixed and matched, and dressed up and down.
Start with your favourite everyday wear, add a few layers, play around with different accessories and use headwear to change things up as and when you want to.
Whether you're into relaxed streetwear, classic casual or a mix of both, the right winter basics give you plenty to work with.
Sweatshirts, hoodies, scarves, caps and beanies are all classics for colder weather. Finish with footwear and headwear suited to the weather.
Winer wardrobe essentials should include a thick or padded jacket or coat, sweatshirts and knitwear, T-shirts for layering, jeans or everyday trousers, suitable footwear and cold-weather accessories such as caps and beanies.
Start with accessories. A different cap, beanie, colour, or graphic can change the feel of an outfit without replacing the rest of it. You can also experiment with layering and proportions.
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