Winter season is officially here and it’s time to bring out your sweaters, mittens, and woolly socks to get through the chilly season. Whether you live in a place that barely sees a drop in temperature or are used to nearly freezing your fingers off every time you wash your hands, winter season is the perfect excuse to be decked up in cute coats and super chic over-the-knee boots like a celebrity and break out your leather jackets.
If you’re on the lookout to update your winter wardrobe, you’ve landed in the right place because we’ve put together a comprehensive guide for you to shop for the season smartly. Here’s everything you need to know before shopping for the season.
What are winter wardrobe staples?
Since sustainability and smart wardrobes have become an unofficial mandate for conscious dressing, it’s a good idea to maintain a capsule winter wardrobe. This means you need to be stocked up on all the winter clothing essentials so that you can mix and match, or pair them with statement pieces, for multiple looks. Here are a few winter wardrobe staples that you must have…
A pair of well-fitted denim jeans
Whether you go for skinny jeans, or a pair of straight-cut denim, well-fitted jeans can be super versatile in your wardrobe. They can go well with oversized sweaters or jackets and be worn with your favourite pair of boots.
Cashmere sweaters
Investing in a good-quality cashmere sweater is always a great idea. Not only will it keep you looking stylish and warm at the same time, it’s also something that goes well with a number of other outfit options. You can dress it down by pairing it with jeans, or wear it with smart linen trousers for a semi-formal look. It can be worn on its own or layered over a collared button-down.
Hats
A cute winter hat can go a long way in elevating your look while also helping you keep your ears and head warm. There are a number of style options you can go for, from slouchy beanies to smart felt berets.
A warm coat
Everyone should have one good quality, durable coat for winter that keeps them warm. It can be something that can be paired with most of your outfits, like a woolen coat in neutral shades, or a statement coat that livens up your look and the dreary winter days at the same time.
Boots
This is the time for your best boots to shine. Ankle-length, knee-length, or the super on-trend thigh-high ones, boots are versatile, super efficient in keeping you warm, and can instantly take your look from sloppy to smart.
Scarf
Wearing a scarf can be a good way to shield yourself against the elements and add a pop of colour or print to your winter #OOTD. This winter, you can go for oversized, blanket scarves that multitask to keep you warm and look super stylish at the same time.
Turtleneck jumper or top
This classic clothing item can be dressed up or down, based on your preferences. It can also be layered with summer dresses or lightweight sweaters for a different look.
What are the most common winter fabrics?
Wool
One of the most popular and common fabrics to be used for winter wear, wool can be obtained from animals like sheep, or be created synthetically. Different qualities of wool are used to make different kinds of fabrics, like formal suits or chunky sweaters.
Leather
If you live in a place where it’s hot and humid for the better part of the year, wintertime is the best for breaking out your leather stuff. You can thrift or upcycle old authentic leather clothes or go for faux leather options that look indistinguishable from the real thing. It’s a durable material and does a good job of keeping you warm in the cold.
Fleece
Fleece is synonymous with wintertime. It almost looks like wool but the only difference is that fleece is man-made. It’s not as expensive as wool and is lightweight and perfect for the everyday wardrobe.
Cashmere
Cashmere is wool obtained from cashmere or pashmina goats. It’s a luxurious fabric that looks great and is a surprisingly good insulator despite being finer than wool.
Velvet
This soft and rich fabric is perfect for formal wear during the season. The distinctive lustre and sift surface makes for flattering outfits and retains heat too.
Major winter fashion trends for women in 2022
Shopping for winterwear doesn’t necessarily have to be dictated by trends as high-quality coats and sweaters can be expensive. But if you’re someone who loves to stay ahead of the style curve and keep up with trends, here are a few major trends for the season spotted on A/W runways around the world.
Bold shoulders not cold shoulders
‘Tis the season of the boxy blazer because power shoulders are here to stay. Designers like Dolce and Gabbana, Louis Vuitton, and Versace made a case for shoulder padding on the runway.
Bomber jackets FTW
While hip-gazing blazers and long overcoats remain classic, designers like Elie Saab, Raf Simmons, Prada, and Loewe highlighted the bomber jacket on the runway.
Did someone say “Maximalism”?
Whether it’s oversized silhouettes or clashing prints and colours, designers were all about maximalism for winter.
Corsets, corsets, corsets
Sisters Gigi and Bella Hadid have been early adopters of the trend. Experiment the various ways you can style your corset for the season and look like a fresh-off-the-runway supermodel.
Y2K is back
The early 2000s have been mined for style inspiration by designers and fashion influencers over the past few months. Expect to see wraparound glasses, low-rise bottoms, and rhinestones this season.
Major winter fashion trends for men in 2022
While it’s true that style options for men are unfortunately not as diverse as they are for women, it doesn’t mean that you can’t experiment and play around with what’s out there to find your perfect winter style. Here are a few prominent trends spotted on the runways to give you a little nudge in the right direction.
All things leather
Through distressed jackets and sleek trousers, leather made its presence felt on the runway with designers like Rick Owens, Dior, and Hermès using the material heavily in their collections.
Fur (faux, obviously!)
It might seem too out there for menswear, but hear us out. Shearling coats or fur accents in winter outfits are a great way to stand out from the crowd.
Sweaters, but make them chunky
Chunky sweaters with geometric patterns and surface accents were all over the runways by designers like Prada, Etro, Paul Smith, Dior, and JW Anderson.
Pink paradise
It’s 2022 and pink cannot be defined by gender. Menswear this season saw the colour pop up on the runway in bright accents or head-to-toe ensembles from designers like Valentino, Vetements, and Prada.
Winter style inspiration from our favourite celebrities
Sonam Kapoor
A statement coat is a winter essential, as evidenced by Sonam Kapoor.
Priyanka Chopra
Take inspiration from PC and play with proportions this winter.
Alia Bhatt
A good hat is the only solution to keep cold and bad hair days away.
Rihanna
The Fenty Beauty mogul’s boots that double as pants are the perfect way to look glam on days when you feel too lazy to put together a proper outfit.
How to take care of your winterwear
Now that you’ve got the lowdown on how to shop for your winter wardrobe, it’s also important to know how to maintain and keep them looking good for many years. Winter wear requires extra maintenance and care, especially while storing them. Here are a few things to always keep in mind while taking care of your winter outfits.
Do not ignore the instruction label
The label contains all the information you need to understand how to clean your garment and even how to store it. Make sure to follow the instructions to the ‘T’.
Use a gentle detergent for hand-knit sweaters
For hand-knitted sweaters and scarves, wash them carefully with a few drops of a gentle detergent. Also, refrain from twisting the knitted item around in the water. Treat it delicately.
Do not ignore stains
Coffee or hot chocolate spills can be commonplace during winter but always ensure that the stain is cleaned as soon as possible. Stains on wool are much harder to remove if they are set.
Potpourri to the rescue
Keep a sachet of potpourri or dried herbs in the cupboard where you store your warm clothes. This will help keep them fresh and fragrant.
Clean before storing
This one goes without saying, but make sure all your sweaters and other winter wear are laundered properly before storing them for the next year.
Keep away from sunlight
While storing your winter essentials, make sure the space is cool and dry. This will help prevent mould from destroying your clothes. Ensure that the clothes are stored away from sunlight.
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