It’s hard to believe, but facts are facts. 2022 is more than halfway over, and cold weather is right around the corner.
It feels like we just took out our strappy sandals for the season, and already it’s time to put them back on the shelf and pull out those winter boots. Don’t mourn summer too hard. She gave us some fun memories but truthfully, we’re kind of itching to start dressing up with layers again.
Winter may mean cold temperatures, but it also means the official restart of dressing season, when all the much-loved cashmere, jackets, and boots can come back into your rotation. It’s a time to be celebrated, not dreaded. Welcome back, winter outfits; we’ve missed you.
As the summer days draw to a close, now is a good time to spend a few hours pouring over the September issues and seeing which fall and winter trends you want to get in on. September issues are our holiday season, honestly.
Looking for winter outfit ideas? We have your guide to the cutest styles hitting the streets this season. As is the case with any trend and season, mixing and matching are highly encouraged. You do you.
Cute Trends To Cash In on This Season
As with any trend forecast, we can’t be 100% certain that these looks will be cramming the streets and our feeds this winter. But based on runway shows and what we’re starting to see across social media, we feel confident that these six trends are about to go big time.
1. All Leather Everything
Leather. Is there anything better? As purses remain our bread and butter, you know this material has a soft (and smooth) place in our hearts. Last year we saw leather pants go viral, with girls embracing their villain eras in the best way possible.
This year, leather is just as in, but the vibe is a little more biker chic. The motorcycle look will be huge this fall and winter, with leather jackets and combat boots, including full top-to-bottom leather looks.
Plus suede. Lots of suede, of course. Ankle and Chelsea boots in these materials will be reporting back for duty.
Going full leather is always fun, but you can also get into the trend by pairing contrasting elements like a leather jacket with a flirty dress or leather knee-high boots with a cheerleader pleated skirt. And if leather isn’t your thing, the vegan and faux leather items on the shelves these days — making waves and looking stunning.
If you want to give the biker look a spin, we recommend trying it with a crossbody leather trunk bag, like our Jordanis. It’s technically our first “men’s” bag, but this design is androgynous and sleek, perfect for anyone trying to hit that vibe.
2. Underdressing Minimalism
90s styles and “coastal grandma” dressing went viral this summer as we all embraced our best linen-clothed selves.
This winter, we predict we’ll see lots of simple, minimalist outfits to keep that nineties momentum going. What we so often see when we’re deep scrolling on 90s-style Instagram accounts is effortless dressing. A white t-shirt, paired with the right pair of jeans, can look more put together than so many other outfits when it’s done right.
Look for wardrobe staples in a few different neutral colors. Break out a winter white. Wear loafers. Wear a turtleneck or pair it with a blazer. You’ve got this.
We see straight-leg jeans with low waists going big again, but trust us, a good pair of high-waisted jeans never go out of fashion.
A minimalist purse is a small monochromatic one. Go for a black baguette bag with a short strap that sits right under your shoulder. It’s a classic for a reason.
3. Dopamine Dressing
For every extreme, there is an equal and opposite, and just as much as we expect to see minimalist 90s looks, we also expect to see colorful maximalist looks. After all those years inside, we do think we’ve earned ourselves a little bit of fun. We’re certainly designing coats with that in mind.
Stylists are calling this “dopamine dressing,” aka letting your inner child come out and picking an outfit that feels loud and too much in a freeing kind of way.
Barbiecore is totally in line with this trend. Hot pink is having a moment. The Mini Kendrick Trunk in Hot Pink Satin with gold hardware would like a word.
Pull out those colorful leggings and tights and pair them with a colorful cardigan, puffer jacket, or faux fur vest. Bonus points if the colors clash just a little bit. At the end of the day, outfits don’t need to be perfect; they just need to be interesting.
Risk-taking is part of the fun.
4. Bohemian Knits
Knits for winter? Groundbreaking, we know.
Last year we saw quilted styles everywhere, with seemingly everyone rocking a bohemian shacket to join in. This year’s twist is a tad more focused on knitwear, as we see the fun crochet tops of the summer grow some sleeves.
Colorful, all-knit looks with interesting and impressive design work will be big. This is not your classic cable knit we’re talking about.
We’re seeing a turtleneck sweater with vibrant wool colors. We’re seeing a quilted knit sweater dress with gold hoop embellishments. We’re seeing a knit sweater that feels pulled straight out of a 70s movie musical. The bohemian look this season is definitely pulling some inspiration from the other colorful trends at play.
Pair a knit full-length sweater dress with a wool coat and paperboy beanie to go full bohemian. Or scale back and opt for leg warmers and a knit scarf combo. In any case, bundle up and do so fabulously.
5. Arm Candy
There are few higher compliments than a well-dressed woman on the New York streets doing a double take at your ensemble. That dopamine will last all day long.
One of the best ways that you can inspire a look like that is to get flashy. In line with the Y2K comeback of the last few years, crystals and rhinestones will be huge this season. We’re seeing transparent and mesh long sleeves with crystal details.
There’s also a fab opportunity to pair the crystal and jewelry trend with the cutout trend, layering elaborate shiny metalware pieces over cut-out sections to draw attention even further. Think winter sparkles, but in the future and with a trust fund. You’ll get the right idea.
PSA: If you want to get into the diamond and snowflake-inspired trend, we have a whole crystal and metallic collection that fits in flawlessly. Enjoy all the attention these purses will attract on your arm.
6. Work Wear Steps Out
Last but not least is the continued proliferation of work and office wear. Even if most people don’t get ultra dressed up for work anymore, the power of a sharp-shouldered blazer means this style has legs, far beyond cubicle or zoom-meeting walls.
We’re seeing exaggeration as the trend for this season. Extra-pleated skirts and oversized shoulder bags are back, mama. Plaid and preppy looks will also dominate, as a continuation of the mini skirt trend we saw this spring.
We definitely encourage you to have fun with workwear. Try a hoodie under a blazer or a power suit layered with a winter coat. Winter dressing is one of the few times in the year when you can comfortably pile on the clothes — don’t let this season fly by without taking full advantage!
If blazers and headbands and trousers sound like they’re calling to you this winter, we recommend picking up a cute bag with a short top handle and wearing it like a mini-briefcase. The Kuei in Brown Vegan Leather with a crocodile embossed pattern ought to do the trick.
Ready To Elevate Your Winter Wear?
Of course, it’s totally normal to spend a lot of winter in joggers and booties, but honestly, life is too short not to take some fashion risks.
Trends are like seasons of your life. They let us honor the changing seasons of the year — and the new seasons of our life. We mark events like new jobs, birthdays, and more with a little (or big) upgrade to our wardrobe. Life is too beautiful not to celebrate sometimes, including those “just cause” moments.
And remember, your winter wardrobe only gets its time in the sun once a year, and the hours of daylight are already limited! Embrace winter fashion, friends. You will not regret it.
Sources:
The List | Paper Magazine
Brandon Blackwood Heralds New Brand Era With First Virtual Runway Show | WWD
Winter Fashion Trends To Look Out For | Life & Style Mag
What is the September Issue and why is it so important? | The Walk