Fact: Getting dressed in winter is more difficult than it is in summer. In the warmer months, all you really need to look chic is some wide-leg trousers and an oversized linen shirt, or perhaps a puff-sleeve dress worn with a pair of well-chosen sandals, and your latest outfit snap is in the bag. In winter, however, things aren’t as quite so straightforward.
Creating a look that’s both stylish and that will keep you toasty in the coldest temperatures is no small feat, but there are things you can do to make the process simpler—the first and most effective being investing in the right pieces from the right brands.
Marianne Smyth wears a Totême coat, Raey trousers and a bag from The Row.
As someone who feels even the slightest chill in the air, I consider myself a bit of an expert at assembling winter outfits, and there’s a handful of brands that, from experience, I know work hard to create superior winter clothing. Of course, they also dabble in spring/summer pieces, too, but it would seem they pour considerable effort into honing their autumn/winter ranges.
What are these brands, I hear you ask? To stop you from having to find out the expensive way, I’ve whittled down what I view as the best winter clothing brands out there—all 14 of them. Scroll on to see if your favourites have made my cut and to shop my must-haves from each for the 2022 winter season.
1. TOTÊME
Style Notes: Perhaps the most in-demand brand of the season, Totême has created more cult items than any other for winter. As well as its classic coats, as seen on Marianne and Francesca above, Totême’s knitwear has also commanded an impressive fan club of late.
Shop Totême:
The brand that started the scarf-coat trend is following suit with barn coats.
Endlessly chic.
Every capsule wardrobe should have a striped knit.
2. ARKET
Style Notes: My go-to for elevated high-street basics, Arket really comes into its own in the winter months, serving up sartorial feasts of puffer coats, chunky boots, knitwear, and leather separates; all of which feel way more premium than their prices.
Shop ARKET:
You'll rely on this snug coat for years to come.
There's nothing more luxurious than a chunky roll neck. .
Elevated fabrics like wool add an expensive feel to any look.
3. NANUSHKA
Style Notes: Specialising in vegan leather and sustainable materials, Nanushka’s pieces are a year-round favourite with conscious shoppers. Looking at its latest collection, however, I think winter 2024 is its strongest to date. Expect faux fur, capes, maxi coats and boxy tailoring.
Shop Nanushka:
Camel coats are always en vogue.
This whole outfit is well worth replicating.
Nanushka's vegan leather is second to none.
4. LISA YANG
Style Notes: Using high-end cashmere cut into sophisticated staples you’ll have in your wardrobe for years to come, I always find myself spending inordinate amounts of time on Lisa Yang's new-in section, especially in the winter months when comfy knits are on top of the agenda.
Shop Lisa Yang:
An updated staple.
This will forever feel contemporary.
A knit skirt will see you through the cooler months year after year.
5. UNIQLO
Style Notes: Uniqlo’s Heattech collection is my winter ride-or-die; I simply can’t get dressed without it. Using advances in fabric technology, Uniqlo’s Heattech range helps keep your body at a comfortable temperature, even when there’s a deep freeze to contend with. Aside from that, its mainline range is also a haven of essential winter staples, and collabs with Claire Waight Keller and JW Anderson make it a forever favourite with fashion editors.
Shop Uniqlo:
Trust me, you'll be grateful for this insulating layer.
A winter essential.
Your tailored trousers just got warmer.
6. THE FRANKIE SHOP
Style Notes: After picking up jumpers, trousers and a couple of waistcoats from the Frankie Shop, I’ve long dreamed of owning one of their instantly recognisable coats. Stumbled across a chic dresser and wondering where they found their 'fit? You can spot a Frankie Shop fan from a mile off, and that’s absolutely part of their charm.
Shop the Frankie Shop:
The brand is responsible for the rejuvenation of contemporary minimalist style, and we couldn't be more grateful.
There's plenty of fun colourways to choose from, alongside classic neutrals.
An investment you'll treasure forever.
7. COS
Style Notes: Along with plenty of cult favourites and best-selling items, COS has proved that high quality tailoring can be found on the high-street. COS maintains a minimalist style with timeless styles and sleek craftsmanship causing every piece to look much more expensive than their price tag.
Shop COS:
Just one example of COS's exquisite knitwear.
Wide leg trousers are a staple for any minimalist wardrobe.
This leather crossbody bag is so coveted it sells out with every release, and now we've been treated to suede.
8. ALMADA LABEL
Style Notes: What I’d give to have a wardrobe full of Almada Label. Creating what I like to call elevated basics with a twist, Almada's designs are classic but with some stylish direction thrown in; think coats with oversized sleeves and cosy cashmere crewnecks.
Simply indulgent.
Made for the cold snap.
I plan to live in these all winter long.
9. THE ROW
Style Notes: The key to looking rich and unbothered lies in The Row’s laid-back winter design approach. Somehow, the brand knows exactly what I want to wear before I do—cue its very sleek take on the balaclava trend, wide-leg jeans and the trench coat I’m currently losing sleep over.
The maxi length adds even more elegance to this silhouette.
The relaxed collar adds a contemporary twist to this classic top.
Everyone I know wants one of these.
10. WHISTLES
Style Notes: Whistles has always been one of my favourite affordable brands, and looking at its latest winter drop, my affections have been reaffirmed. It’s one of the few places I buy trousers from (the fit is spot-on), so that’s always what I fill my basket with come the cold snap. Oh, and its knitwear never disappoints, either.
Shop Whistles;
This went straight to the top of my wish list.
See what I mean about their trousers?
How to add French girl flair..
11. MASSIMO DUTTI
Style Notes: Sticking with the high street, Massimo Dutti consistently overdelivers when it comes to premium pieces with an affordable price tag, and if you're looking for suede, leather, cashmere and silk that won't break the bank, it's the best place to start for designer-looking pieces that will last a lifetime.
Shop Massimo Dutti:
Pure poetry in design.
Cosy suede is everywhere right now.
Style with knitwear and pair of jeans.
12. ACNE STUDIOS
Style Notes: From Scandi street stylers to those in the know in London, ACNE is the unofficial (but pretty official) cool-girl winter uniform. Whether you opt for a scarf or blow the budget on one of its iconic shearling leather bikers, you can do so knowing it’s going to earn you style points for a very, very long time.
Shop ACNE Studios:
This large scarf will keep you extra snug this winter.
So timeless, it's reinvented every year.
Their footwear is pretty standout too.
13. OTHER STORIES
Style Notes: Since appearing on the high-street in 2013, Other Stories has become a go-to spot for carefully curated pieces that withstand the moving trends, as well as being incredibly affordable. Whether on the hunt for a great pair of jeans, timeless knitwear or a stand out accessory, Other Stories is sure to have it all.
Shop Other Stories:
This has to be one of my favourite purchases, and comes in a variety of colours.
A great wash for autumn/winter.
Every great wardrobe has a black coat.
14. REFORMATION
Style Notes: Reformation creates great dresses, this we know, but this winter, the brand is presenting so much more than just excellent hemlines. From shackets to trousers and even hobo bags and sleek boots, Reformation has never felt more current than it does now.
We wear oversized shirts all year round, but this pinstripe is especially unique.
I challenge you to be cold in this.
I'm still not tired of versatile flats.
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