8 Winter Fashion Trends to Wear This Season, According to Professional Stylists

Ask The Experts: Winter Trends
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If you are in no way, shape, or form ready for autumn to end, same here. Unfortunately, the coming of winter is inevitable (this is especially true for the East Coast — fall lasts approximately .2 seconds in New Jersey) and our best line of defense against the chill is the clothing on our backs, otherwise known as cute winter outfits.

Believe it or not, frigid conditions make for optimal fashion moments. From cozy sweaters 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. The key is to create looks that are as fashionable as they are functional, with pieces that look cute but also keep you warm.

For inspiration, we asked stylists for the winter outfits they can't wait to put together once the seasons change, and it honestly made us excited for all the possibilities. 

Black Leather

Winter Fashion Trends

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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 for winter 2023 is in the form of leather, a top trend The New York Stylist Liz Teich says 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,” Twitch tells 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.”

Matching Sweatsuits

Winter Fashion Trends

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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 H says 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. It can give you the effortless fashion look everyone wants while still feeling like you are at home watching a holiday movie.”

Mixed Proportions

Winter Fashion Trends

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'Tis the season for layers, layers, layers, but for winter 2023, personal style advisor for MiKADO Personal Styling, Jordan Stolch, tells InStyle that more fabric means extra room to experiment with different silhouettes.

“It’s all about playing with proportions,” Stolch explains via email. “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. Combinations I’m rocking this season are a thin-knit turtleneck under an oversized boyfriend button down, a leather mini skirt paired with tights, boots and a boxy blazer, or wide-leg trousers plus an unstructured wool coat and a long-sleeved tee.”

Combat Boots

Winter Fashion Trends

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Footwear in the winter needs to strike a balance of 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 tells 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

Winter Fashion Trends

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Not only are faux fur coats and fuzzy-lined boots a must for winter 2023 (and likely every winter thereafter), 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.

 “[2023] will be the resurgence of the furry accessories trend which includes furry handbags and headwear that will reign supreme,” Freeman says. “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.”

Puffer Pants

Winter Fashion Trends

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Each winter, puffer coats remain in high demand and Freeman says the outerwear option is back as the season’s mascott, although it's been reimagined for winter 2023.

“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 insists. “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

Winter Fashion Trends

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Fashion stylist and style expert Naina Singla is citing turtleneck dresses as her most anticipated trend for the 2023 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 says. “Choose lightweight materials like sheer georgette (Khaite makes a gorgeous one), cashmere, or a knitwear option for a more cozy winter look.”

Balletcore

Winter Fashion Trends

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InStyle first reported balletcore as a budding trend back in January of 2022, but it appears the look is getting a second wind for winter 2023.

“I love this trend right now of all things dainty and delicate,” Singla says of the sweet aesthetic. “In the Fall, we saw Miu Miu's ballet flats and, according to Prada's Fall/Winter 2022 and Spring 2023 collection, next up will be Mary Janes, with leg warmers tying them back to the ballet trend. I also love a good slip dress for winter — so feminine and delicate. 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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