Although the winter solstice is still over a month away, being a shopping writer means that I’m always prepping my closet a season ahead of time. And with snow, sleet, and slush rapidly en route, I’ve decided it’s finally time to turn my fashion focus towards winter. In order to get some much-needed inspo, I called upon personal stylist Samantha Dawn to spill the nine trends she has her eye on for the upcoming season.
Whether you’re on the hunt for holiday party attire or everyday wardrobe pieces, Dawn’s trend predictions have you covered. After she helped me narrow down the wild world of winter apparel, I found corresponding styles on Amazon, where prices start at just $26. Below, shop my handpicked versions of these stylist-approved trends, and prepare your closet before flurries arrive at our doorstep.
While puffer jackets are always trending in the winter, Dawn suggests opting for a longer version that adds “elevation and elongation to the body while keeping you warm.” As someone who’s only ever worn short puffers, I’m now sold on this style, especially given how uniform and cohesive it makes any outfit look. Thanks to an on-site coupon, you now can snag this quilted maxi coat, which features a removable hood and comes in neutrals like black and cream, for only $60.
Cold-weather accessories are obviously a must-have this time of year, making a chunky scarf a no-brainer purchase. As Dawn says, this snuggly staple adds “dimension” and “makes every outfit more cozy.” Since the expert prefers solid colors “for a more timeless approach,” stock up on this on-sale option in additional shades like red, gray, and pink.
Scarf jackets, a.k.a. supermodels’ favorite outerwear trend, are “everywhere,” according to Dawn. As the expert points out, the “elegant drapery” included in this innovative style is convenient if you don’t want to wear an individual scarf. Get the look with this gorgeous light brown option, now only $51.
Suede, one of autumn’s can’t-miss trends, is now “falling” (pun-intended) into winter. “I would opt for a suede jacket, booties, or purse as these can be versatile for most seasons throughout the year,” says Dawn. Personally, I have my eye on this slouchy suede handbag, which would make the perfect finishing touch to any winter ensemble.
Kitten heels, this year’s most practical footwear phenomenon, is back with a cold-weather-friendly twist. “If you were a fan of kitten heels during the summer and fall, it’s only natural to transition into kitten heel tall boots for the winter,” says Dawn. “They’re chic, comfortable, and add elevation with the heel.”
If you’re anything like me and can’t be bothered with heels, flat boots may be more your speed. As Dawn says, they’re “sleek and comfortable” for daily wear. “For example, pairing a riding boot with a straight-cut denim or trouser tucked in gives off Princess Diana vibes that feel effortlessly cool, calm, and sophisticated,” says the stylist. I couldn’t agree more—to get the look, I’m eyeing these Franco Sarto boots, and am considering fully leaning into the equestrian-inspired vibes by adding in a chic barn jacket as well.
I’m not a fan of buying pieces that can only be worn for one occasion, which is why I appreciate Dawn’s advice for styling “classic holiday staples” like velvet and sequins. The stylist suggests pairing a velvet or sequin skirt with a crew neck sweater and boots that can “tone down the ‘holiday-specific’ piece, making them easily transitional for everyday wear.” Case in point, this beautiful chocolate-colored option from The Drop can be worn to a New Year’s Eve party just as easily as it can be thrown on for a date night or birthday dinner.
Autumn’s most popular hues are “still going strong into the winter,” according to Dawn. “If you tend to wear black and want to branch out, brown or burgundy are the next luxurious colors to try without feeling too much out of your comfort zone,” says the expert. Because I tend to wear all-black in the winter, I’m taking her advice by adding this knotted burgundy tote to my cart—I love that the shade is a subtle deviation from the typical cherry-red, holiday-coded color we tend to see a lot of this time of year.
My favorite casual winter outfit formula is a pair of leggings, a hoodie, and a puffer vest, so I’m of course ready to buy into this trending style. “Vests have been popular all throughout 2024, but when you add a vest with a corduroy fabric, it adds a level of coziness in a more fashion forward way,” says Dawn. Give the outwear piece a try with this army green vest, which is on sale for $34 and comes in other colors like black, brown, pink, and gray.
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