When women initially think of dressing for winter, they immediately think of having to wear lots of layers and every outfit feeling bulky. In fact, fashion often goes out of the window when all you care about is staying toasty underneath!
If you’ve become frustrated with the amount of winter items on the market, so you just stick to the same three outfit formulas, fear not. Here’s how to master the art of stylish women’s winter outfit ideas whilst keeping warm too, so keep reading for our best tips and tricks.
Your Women’s Winter Starter Pack: 5 Key Pieces to Build a Stylish & Cosy Outfit
It can be hard to put personal style and taste ahead of keeping warm during the winter months. But at Rydale, we’re all about sticking to those key pieces and creating a capsule wardrobe, regardless of the season.
We all know layering is the key to getting and then staying toasty, but you can still add plenty of personality on top with your outerwear and accessories. Here are five key pieces for any country lady to have in her wardrobe to create her women’s winter outfits.
1. Cosy Knitwear
Knitwear is a great starting point to add a pop of colour or pattern to any outfit, and jumpers are incredibly practical as well as stylish too! Cable knit jumpers are especially good for winter because the wool blend material helps to retain heat. Quarter zip styles have come back into fashion once again, but we know that it’s a timeless design. We have them in just about every colour too, so you can find a design that best fits your style. Whether you pop a long-sleeved thermal underneath or a smart collared shirt will depend on the occasion, but both options will still keep you warm in the colder months.
2. An Oversized Scarf
If there’s any item that makes any lady look incredibly chic, it’s an oversized scarf. Even the plainest of outfits can be styled up with a patterned scarf, but the pattern will particularly pop against a neutral-coloured outfit and coat. However, if you’re a big fan of bold designs, go crazy for checks and stripes in colours that complement the rest of your outfit. A knitted or a brushed cotton material is best for winter, as the aim is to keep the cold from getting to your neck!
3. A Statement Coat
Often, when women think of statement coats, they think of wool coats. However, whilst a wool coat might be fabulous, it’s not always practical, especially for living in the countryside. Here, we need waterproof and windproof designs with plenty of pockets and a fleece lining to keep us feeling snug. For women’s winter outfits, we love a longer-length coat because it covers more of your body than a shorter design does, ensuring you’ll stay warm whenever you’re out of the house. Of course, we have plenty of colourways and designs, from neutral-coloured riding jackets to a bright pink changing robe!
4. Dark Wash Denim
This shouldn’t be a new item in your wardrobe because dark wash denim is flattering on all different sizes and shapes of women. However, it could be the time to try a different fit of jeans, such as a wider leg or embellishments. If you’re true to your skinny and straight-cut jeans, they’re still a key piece during winter. They’re easier to tuck into mid-calf and knee-high leather boots, too, making them much less bulky.
5. A Pair Of Chunky Boots
If you’re looking for your go-to footwear for the entire winter season, a pair of chunky leather boots should be high on your wishlist. The tread is the most important part of the boot, though, because it needs to be grippy and sturdy for icy morning dog walks and potentially muddy paths. Whether you prefer a mid-calf style or a pair of knee-high boots, they’re designed to see you through the winter months and hopefully for many years to come! Looking to add a feminine touch to your outfit? Try a heeled design for wintery nights at the pub and indoor family gatherings.
How To Master Layering For Women’s Winter Outfits
When it comes to layering for cold weather, there are four key layers to consider: a base layer, a mid-layer, an outer layer, and accessories. Whilst there are no fashion rules as such, it can be helpful to know the types of items to consider for each layer. Here’s a breakdown of each stage to help you to nail your women’s winter outfit ideas every single time.
1. A Base Layer
Your first layer should be fitted to your body and ideally, during the winter, contain thermal properties. You might think a thicker base layer is better, but the thinner it is, the easier it is to build up your layers. Sweat-wicking properties are also a must, so consider athleisure or sportswear, and aim for long sleeves if the temperature is getting towards zero!
2. A Mid-Layer
This is what we call the cosy layer. Think sweatshirts, knitwear or fleeces, whichever material or style you find keeps you the warmest and cosiest. This is a great layer to show off your personality with a pop of colour or a country pattern, because if you’re out and about, you’re likely to take off your coat when going to grab some food or a coffee. Again, it adds another layer of insulation to your outfit, too. On the coldest days, an insulated gilet might be a better option.
3. An Outer Layer
Living in the countryside means a waterproof outer layer is a necessity, and a coat in a bright colour also adds a safety feature, especially if you’re walking the dogs early in the morning in the local village or town. A coat with reflective strips would also be handy in such circumstances. You’ll be thrilled to know that all of our waterproof coats feature a number of pockets as well, perfect if you don’t want to carry a bag around.
4. Accessories
This is where you take your outfit from a five to a ten with your accessories. It’s all about personalisation, from chunky knitted scarves and hats to a pair of stylish winter walking boots. You can add in colours, patterns, and textures to make your outfit interesting, from faux fur and animal print, to bright or pastel hues. It’s also an opportunity to wrap up even warmer with a hat, scarf, and gloves, because your extremities usually catch the cold first!
When it comes to building your women’s winter outfit ideas, it’s all about selecting the right layering pieces and creating from what you already have. Accessories can make or break your outfit too, and add some much-needed colour or texture to a look.
