It’s the dead of winter and all you want to do is curl up in cozy loungewear. But there’s no need to trade comfort for style – with a few tricks (and some inspiration from fashion’s best designers), you can make your winter fashion style basics look chic. Here are 12 styling tips to abide by:

1. Roll with it

When the temps dip below freezing, nothing sounds more appealing than putting on your favorite pair of jeans and a
cozy, borrowed-from-your-boyfriend cardigan. Avoid looking dowdy in your winter fashion attire by cuffing your denim — a classic look that slims the cut of the jeans and helps to balance out the cardigan’s bulk. They are the perfect canvas to highlight slouchy
winter boots or dress them up with sophisticated pointy-toe heels.

2. Do a sneak attack

One of the most surprising and, let’s face it, refreshing fashion trends for 2012 is the emergence of the sneaker. At the spring collections, swarms of street style stars were snapped in colourful kicks and fashion’s ultimate tastemaker, Phoebe Philo of Celine, took her runway bow in coolly casual trainers. For winter fashion we’re not talking about gym shoes (perish the thought!) or even worn-in Chuck Taylors; the new casual-yet-creative footwear is firmly grounded in the high-style realm. Haute cobblers Giuseppe Zanotti and Christian Louboutin, for example, punked up their sneaks with a heady dose of studs, Designers Pierre Hardy and Martin Margiela added a wow-factor finish with metallics and too-cool-for-school Alexander Wang punched his up with bright yellow laces. Whichever style you choose, high fashion sneakers will boost laid-back weekend looks.

3. Try a turtleneck

Celine’s Phoebe Philo – along with New York designers like Altuzarra, BCBG and Michael Kors – resurrected the classic turtleneck this season. Not only are they a practical layering piece, they have the added bonus of drawing attention to a statement necklace; one of the seasons best fashion trends.

4. Swap your coat for a cape

Sick of wearing your bulky winter coat day in and day out? Change things up with a sophisticated cape for almost as much warmth, but a lot less fabric. Get a luxe, Left Bank-inspired look by pairing it with tonal wide-leg trousers. Our favourites were found on the fashion runways of designers like Yves Saint Laurent and Jason Wu.

More ways to stay on trend while staying warm this winter, on the next page…
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5. Stride out

Your favorite roomy wrap sweater needs only one thing to go from sofa to street — leggings! Although one of the more redundant fashion trends, the stretchy (read: comfy) pant creates a slender bottom half, balancing out your sweater’s bulk.


6. Show your shoulders

There is no reason why you can’t show a hint of skin in cozy-chic style. Simply add an oversized sweater that falls over your shoulder
à la Flashdance .

7. Add a fur vest
A cold-weather wardrobe isn’t complete without a luxe gilet. Not only will it add an extra layer of warmth on the weekend, it lends your look a tactile twist.

8. Trade up with a fedora

Swap your chunky beanie or oversize trapper hat for a sleek felt
fedora. The streamlined silhouette keeps your ears warm (promise!) and avoids the bulk of a wooly scarf, glove and hat set.

9. Throw a pajama party

No, you’re not dreaming: pajama dressing is derigeur for 2012. For designers Derek Lam and Louis Vuitton’s Resort collections, printed PJ-style sets will help you look as cool in the office as you do lounging around. Just add an of-the-moment pair of velvet slippers to finish your downtime ensemble.

10. Embrace seasonless dressing

Don’t ignore your entire warm-weather wardrobe: Summery silk dresses can be perfect with wool sweaters and shearling jackets —their flowy silhouette keeps bulkier pieces from overwhelming an outfit, plus they showcase your legs! The trick is to choose lightweight piece darker colours and adding tough-chic leather boots.


11. Pile it on

When it comes wearing winter sweaters, don’t play favourites — wear them all! The trick is avoiding chunky knits and opting for tissue-thin styles that layer easily, without adding bulk. Just be sure to
choose knits in the same color family to keep your picks from looking random.

12. Get sleek

Keep your bundled-up top half in check with a skinny jeans/
sharp accessories combo. The slim leg will balance out a heavy winter coat, and will keep the look sleek and streamlined.

Read more:
The best winter brights
Great necklaces for any season
Knitted pieces for the cold weather