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Style is more interesting in the winter—there, we said it. Summer has its own brand of sartorial magic, of course, made up of sandals and sundresses and linen and camp beads, but it’s the cooler climate that brings out the inner tastemaker. Where one layer once sufficed, now two are essential; you can still wear a mini skirt, but how can you make it functional? Texture, colour, print and shape: winter lays the infinite possibilities of your closet out at your feet and asks you to flex your creative muscles. And when you stumble across a particular combination that just works, it feels like a eureka moment. Who knew that yellow jacket could go with that pant?

Curating the ideal winter wardrobe is a time-consuming process, though, which is why we’ve decided to do the dirty work and scour the internet for you. Here, we present the first 16 items we’d add to cart if you’re planning on doing some cold weather shopping.

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Vogue’s top picks

• Best jacket for winter: Stand Studio oversized leather jacket
• Best accessory for winter: Acne Studios green fringed scarf
• Best pants for winter: Everlane The Way-High drape tailored pant
• Best coat for winter: Friends with Frank The Astrid puffer
• Best shoes for winter: Tony Bianco Fantasy boots

The best winter fashion trends to shop in 2023

Stand Studio

We don’t know about you, but it doesn’t truly feel like winter for us until it’s cold enough for a leather jacket. Make sure you have a good one in your arsenal, something that’s versatile enough to work with all your pieces, but still a statement piece—like this buttercream confection from Stand Studio. We’d wear it boxy over a pair of baggy jeans and sneakers, but it would work equally well with a mini skirt and a pair of knee high boots.

Category: Outerwear | Material: 100 per cent lamb leather | Colour(s): Cream | Delivery: $10 express shipping

SHOP NOW: Stand Studio oversized topstitched leather jacket, $1,141.58 from Net-a-Porter

Acne Studios

’Tis the season of the scarf, an accessory we welcome with open arms. This year, we’re styling the scarf the way the Scandis do it: long enough so you can wrap it every which way around the head. This design from Acne Studios is the perfect starting point—not too oversized, but also not too skinny (even though that is, according to the Scandis again, bang on trend).

Category: Accessories | Material: Alpaca, wool, nylon | Colour(s): Green, pink | Delivery: $40 shipping

SHOP NOW: Acne Studios green fringed scarf, $290 from Ssense

Arnsdorf

A turtleneck is an essential ingredient for layering as the weather cools, and this knitted piece from Arnsdorf will be just what you’re looking for. It comes in an array of shades, from apple green to black to a slightly sheer white, and best of all, is crafted sustainably from Australian Merino wool. Wear with an overcoat and a pair of wide-legged trousers.

Category: Knitwear | Material: 100 per cent Australian Merino wool | Colour(s): Black, white, green, yellow, grey | Delivery: Free shipping over $50

SHOP NOW: Arnsdorf Merino skivvy, $189 from The Iconic

Everlane

Speaking of wide-legged trousers: this pair of tailored pants from Everlane are a cult favourite for a reason. No matter the winter, you’ll need some comfortable trousers, and this style is available in a palette of fundamental neutrals, from black and cocoa, to cream and a bookish check. Breathable, and easy to both wear and style—people will be hard-pressed to find you in anything else come June.

Category: Bottoms | Material: Lyocell, cotton | Colour(s): Black, brown, cream, check | Delivery: $15 shipping

SHOP NOW: The Way-High drape tailored pant, $224 from Everlane

TheOpen Product

One of the more divisive winter 2023 trends on this list is the balaclava, which emerged in earnest on the runways a few seasons ago now, and continues to creep its way into the closets of insiders and street style goers. Try your hand at the headpiece with this anodyne zip-up design from Korean label TheOpen Product. We suggest styling with a white tee and a black coat. Tease out some face-framing strands as well to soften the look.

Category: Accessories | Material: Wool, nylon | Colour(s): Beige | Delivery: $40 shipping

SHOP NOW: TheOpen Product beige zip balaclava, $61 (originally $135) from Ssense

Halfboy

There is no greater pleasure than finding the perfect shearling jacket, and we’re pretty sure that this piece from Halfboy is as close to perfection as it gets. The dulce de leche shade, the flattering cropped silhouette, those unconventional half-moon pockets—we could go on and on about the details we love but it might be better just to experience them for yourself. A pair of flared black trousers and boots, and you’ve got your winter uniform.

Category: Outerwear | Material: 100 per cent shearling | Colour(s): Caramel | Delivery: $10 express shipping

SHOP NOW: Halfboy cropped shearling jacket, $3,249.29 from Net-a-Porter

Wales Bonner

These days, a well-cut vest is a transeasonal wardrobe staple. Do grandpa chic right in this multicolour Wales Bonner design, which we’d complement with puddle pants and striped sneakers—a prized pair of Adidas and Wales Bonner Sambas, perhaps, if you’re in enviable possession.

Category: Knitwear | Material: Polyester | Colour(s): Multicolour stripe | Delivery: $10 express shipping

SHOP NOW: Wales Bonner Orchestre striped jacquard-knit vest, $658.43 from Net-a-Porter

Sock Daily

You’ll need some stylish socks for winter and that’s not up for discussion. Experiment outside of your traditional blacks and whites and go for this six-pack of earth-toned feet-warmers. It’s a subtle way to add visual interest to an outfit, but trust us, it works.

Category: Accessories | Material: Cotton, polyester | Colour(s): Lace, amber, honey | Delivery: Free shipping over $50

SHOP NOW: Sock Daily warm six pack quarter socks, $99 from The Iconic

St. Agni

It’s never too cold for a mini skirt—that’s why stockings were invented, after all. Tuck a high-necked sweater into this woollen mini from St. Agni and slip on a pair of tall, chocolate brown boots. You’ll feel like Alexa Chung in no time.

Category: Bottoms | Material: Wool, lyocell | Colour(s): Black, cream | Delivery: Free shipping over $200

SHOP NOW: Tailored wool mini skirt, $299 (originally $399) from St. Agni

Tony Bianco

Before you ask: yes, knee high boots are a seasonal must. In recent years, ankle boots haven’t curried sartorial favour quite like their taller, sleeker counterparts, and no wonder; the versatility of knee high boots alone is a testament to their value. Wear them with midi dresses, mini skirts, or tucked over jeans à la Princess Diana, it all works. And if you’re in the market for a pair, these dreamy Tony Bianco ones are true to their name.

Category: Footwear | Material: 100 per cent leather | Colour(s): Black, beige | Delivery: Free shipping over $50

SHOP NOW: Tony Bianco Fantasy boots, $399.95 from The Iconic

Leset

When we tell you that you can wear a black midi skirt with anything and everything, we’re not hyperbolising. This satin piece from Leset features an elasticated waistband for maximum comfort. With a boxy blazer and a pair of kitten-heeled slingbacks, you’ll be as ready for a 9-to-5 as a smart casual soirée.

Category: Bottoms | Material: Satin | Colour(s): Black, pink | Delivery: $10 express shipping

SHOP NOW: Leset Barb satin midi skirt, $217.84 from Net-a-Porter

Chocoolate

School uniforms have been a centrepiece of the runways for seasons now—check our longstanding preoccupation with ties, button down shirts, and scrunched socks in loafers. This plaid mini skirt from Chocoolate continues that trend. Carry it into the fall winter season with a quilted jacket and slouchy tote.

Category: Bottoms | Material: Polyester | Colour(s): Brown check | Delivery: Free shipping over $300

SHOP NOW: Chocoolate tartan-print flared mini skirt, $226 from Farfetch

Jane Debster

That you should have a black loafer in your winter closet isn’t up for debate. This is the ideal closed-toe shoe—just a slight heel, so walking isn’t a pain, and a bare, unembellished vamp, so you can pair it with any look.

Category: Footwear | Material: Leather | Colour(s): Black patent, black croc | Delivery: Free shipping over $50

SHOP NOW: Jane Debster Kassidy loafer, $219.95 from The Iconic

Kijun

These are pants that feel like sweats, but look like they’re so much more. On the cold, winter mornings when you just want to roll out of bed and head out in something comfortable, let these brown lounge flares from Kijun be your saviour.

Category: Bottoms | Material: Polyester | Colour(s): Brown and yellow| Delivery: $40 shipping

SHOP NOW: Kijun brown flared lounge pants, $210 from Ssense

Commonplace 

You know what they say, Australian winter is like European summer. It’s true that our sun isn’t exactly shy; it shines all year round and cuts through the chill. Use it as an excuse to jazz up your outfit with a baseball cap like this one from Commonplace Essentials, a New Zealand brand focused on crafting wearable, sportswear-influenced garments. 

Category: Headgear | Material: 100 per cent organic cotton | Colour(s): Green, brown | Delivery: Free shipping over $120

SHOP NOW: CPD classic logo cap, $83 from Commonplace

Loewe

The delicious true cobalt of this jacket speaks for itself, doesn’t it? Trimmed with milk chocolate leather, luxe denim has never looked better. Thank you, Jonathan Anderson.

Category: Outerwear | Material: Denim, brown leather | Colour(s): Blue | Delivery: $10 express shipping

SHOP NOW: Loewe leather-trimmed denim jacket, $2,300 from Net-a-Porter

Friends with Frank

You’re going to want a black puffer coat, so make it a good one. This Friends with Frank design is longer than most, but just means you’ll be more cocooned—in a supremely elegant way, might we add.

Category: Outerwear | Material: Duck down, cotton, polyester | Colour(s): Black, cream | Delivery: Free express shipping over $200

SHOP NOW: The Astrid puffer, $559 from Friends with Frank

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