Love it or hate it, winter is still very far from being over. At this stage of the season, we can all start to feel rather weary of being bundled up in our big coats. What began as a cosy novelty can start to feel constricted and just a bit boring! So to spice up the tail end of winter, we look at the best of this season’s ways to style a winter coat.
Layer it up
When the temperature really drops, add more layers! If you feel the need for a splash of colour, add a bright hoodie. This is the most visible layer to add under a winter coat since. Or layer different shades of shirt and woollens. Enough layers means that you won’t have to do the coat up, which keeps the layered look more striking. With layered looks still very much on trend, this is both stylish and practical.
Brighten it with a bag
From an oversized shoulder tote to a cross body satchel, your choice of bag can change the look of a coat entirely. Contrast colours or textures for a style that’s more flamboyant, or stay toned in for quieter, more subtle days. This is a great time to rediscover an old bag that you may have forgotten about. It’ll give you that sense of joy that can feel so lacking towards the end of winter!
Accessorise it
The handy thing about cold seasons is that there are plenty of accessories that we need to keep toasty warm! You can easily change the overall style of your winter coat with a hat, gloves, a scarf, or boots. From chunky knits to sleek lines, these accessories can quickly swap your style from Nordic cosy to Parisian elegance.
Colour match it, or not
When you’re feeling uninspired, try letting your winter coat dictate the rest of your outfit. Style your whole outfit to match or tone with your coat, be that brown, black, blue, or even yellow! Or alternatively, go for contrast. Make sure that you pay attention to the parts of your outfit which will get seen. So for a neutral coat, contrast with a bright scarf and bright tights. Your accessories don’t have to match each other, go for a vibrant rainbow look if it brings you joy!
Open it, close it
It’s such a simple thing, but the style of your coat radically changes from being opened or closed. Zip up a long, tailored coat for a sleeker, more formal line that is more likely to highlight your curves. Leave open for a more casual style that is rich in boho chic. If your coat is more of a hip skimming jacket, zipping it up can change how it sits with the rest of your outfit. Open jackets follow the lines of wide legged trousers, while closed jackets contrast well with choices like leggings, skinny jeans or tights.
Dress it up and down
Most of us will choose a coat to fit with an occasion, but they need not be limited in this way. If we dress formally, we can automatically reach for a tailored coat, while laid back days lean to soft jackets. However, your puffa jacket can look great styled with smart knee high boots and leather gloves, for example. Or your wool calf length trench coat can tie in with wide leg jeans and trainers. By changing the way we see the function of our winter coats, we can breathe new life into their use.
It may feel like winter is never ending, but there will come a time when we close up our winter coats for the season. In the meantime though, let’s try to find more joy in the ways that we wear our winter wardrobes!
Becky is a content manager who writes informed industry based articles for businesses and consumers. She’s written for Elle Courbee on women’s issues and fashion for a number of years.
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