Winter work outfits that prove cold weather doesn’t mean sacrificing style

Look smart, keep cosy. A Vogue guide to the winter work outfits worth investing in as the temperature starts to drop. 

Look smart, keep cosy. A Vogue guide to the winter work outfits worth investing in as the temperature starts to drop.

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Winter is here and with it the promise of some very good work outfits. Yes indeed, this season is the golden time for winter office fashion. Forget attempting to look pulled-together and professional when it’s boiling outside and you’ve practically melted into a puddle. Winter, the season of elegant-yet-practical outerwear and cosy neutral swaddling and avant-garde shirting, is a cinch. Granted, the perfect office outfit may be upended by your office’s (sexist!) air conditioning, and a great winter office outfit may be wasted when bundling oneself in and out of inclement weather, but I’ve always found it easier to dress well when it’s cold.

There’s plenty of inspiration right now when it comes to winter dressing, too. You could, for example, ape every single one of Sienna Miller’s stealth wealth outfits in the Netflix series Anatomy of a Scandalfor the office. Her camel Max Mara coat, worn throughout the series, is just about all you’d need to look stylish throughout the winter. Really, it’s a shame you do need to wear something underneath it (probably).

Sienna Miller in Anatomy of a Scandal. Image credit: Courtesy of Netflix

There were neat winter styling tricks at the Ralph Lauren autumn/winter ’22/’23 show, with thin turtlenecks worn under shirting, a smart (and warm) layering option. The Row, which never fails to offer a styling tip, had great shirts with extra long sleeves—perhaps an impediment at the photocopier, but needs must be met—and the little tweed skirt suits at Chanel proved ideal. The street style set at the autumn/winter ’22/’23 shows were a master class in great winter outfits you could wear to the office, with takes on the season’s all-powerful suit, tonal dressing, skirt suits, leather accents and more.

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Winter fashion 2023: the best winter work outfits to invest in

Suiting with a twist

Suiting is having a big moment, from Zendaya’s slouchy Fear of God number on the red carpet to Meghan Markle’s immaculate all-white Valentino at the Invictus games. You can find great suiting on the runway too, everywhere from Alexander McQueen to Peter Do and there’s plenty of street style inspiration, and loads of high street options, too. Remember, fit is everything, but it’s also totally subjective. Do invest in the best fabric that you can, a good suit will see you many an endless Powerpoint presentation, and beyond. 

Frankie Shop

There's a reason Frankie Shop is a go-to for cool girl suiting. Boring corporate outfits for winter these do not make. The suits are slouchy, meant to be mixed and matched, always have a cool detail such as the elasticised trouser hems below and come in a range of versatile hues.

Colour: Grey | Style: Blazer | Fit: True to size

SHOP NOW: Frankie Shop Gelso oversized TENCEL Lyocell-blend blazer, $636.26 from Net-a-Porter

Camilla & Marc

Australian label Camilla & Marc is an absolute go-to for perfectly slouchy tailoring. The vest dress is trending right now and makes for a sharp addition.

Colour: Brown | Style: Blazer dress | Fit: True to size

SHOP NOW: Camilla & Marc Orion blazer dress, $850 from Camilla & Marc

Keep it cosy, but smart

Sienna Miller’s elegant, super luxurious wardrobe in Anatomy of a Scandal presented a plethora of ways to style a knit, from underneath a great coat to worn with a belted midi-dress. To promote the show Miller was snapped pairing an oversized sweater with a ruched midi-dress, in a look that was polished but easy peasy. It’s a formula to keep in mind for the office: a great winter work outfit is always tailoring plus a cosy (fine or chunky will work) knit, be it a sweater or cardigan. Don’t forget the sweater dress either, worn with ankle boots it’s an easy way to get dressed when the temperature drops. 

Marimekko

Nobody does Scandi-girl style better than Marrimekko, and the Copenhagen-born, world-dominating label has winter office outfits nailed. Because here's the thing, the brand's penchant for candy mohair sweaters and fun prints and cloud-like puff sleeves is perfect for brightening up your day. In the office, and long after you've clocked off. Marimekko specialises in fun but timeless pieces that you can wear for, well, forever. Classic shapes and cuts, with a bit of punch.

Colour: Print | Style: Cardigan | Fit: Larger than usual

SHOP NOW: Mortu Pulloposti cardigan, $262.50 from Marimekko

Leather as anything

Leather is absolutely winter work outfit appropriate. You could wear a lush leather dress from the likes of Gabriela Hearst, or wide-leg leather pants with a great shirt or a soft and swishy leather midi-skirt with a cashmere knit and be ready for anything. Don’t forget the leather blazer either, the ’90s staple adds a new, and cool, dimension of texture when paired with trousers or office-appropriate denim. 

Agolde

LA-based denim and leather brand Agolde specialises in super cool wardrobe mainstays. These high-waisted, straight-leg trousers are made from recycled leather.

Colour: Black | Style: Pants | Fit: True to size

SHOP NOW: Agolde High-Waisted Leather Trousers, $440 from Farfetch

Minima Esenciales

Australian brand Minima Esenciales will set you up with wardrobe staple pieces such as this knit vest. 

Colour: White | Style: Vest | Fit: Larger than usual, not fitted 

SHOP NOW: Minima Esenciales Billie knit vest, $160 from The Iconic

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Detailed shirting

Other than being the ideal thing to wear in an office that may be either too hot or too cold, a shirt gives ample styling opportunities. Try layering over a slim turtleneck or singlet and tucked into tailored trousers to add some dimension to your outfit. Or choose an oversized shirt with prints, pockets or pleating details to keep things as fun as possible for the 9-5. Silkiness is always an added bonus.

Anna Quan

Australian label Anna Quan is a must for beautiful tailoring and shirting. Known for details such as extra-long sleeves and go-to knit separates, this sweet mini will work as well with tailoring as it does knits. 

Colour: Black | Style: Mini skirt | Fit: Smaller than usual

SHOP NOW: Anna Quan tailored mini skirt, $420 from Farfetch

Hommegirls

Thakoon Panichgul's menswear-inspired brand is the absolute go-to for shirting to make you feel invincible. 

Colour: Blue and white stripe | Style: Shirt | Fit: Larger than normal

SHOP NOW: Hommegirls embroidered cotton shirt, $265.92 from Net-a-Porter

Don’t forget the commute

Many of us have had a long stint working from home and the commute to work can come as a shock to the system! You must be prepared. An umbrella is essential, and a sturdy but chic trench coat a constant ally. You want one you can belt up and that’s weather-proof. In cooler states it’s worth investing in a quality warm winter coat, look for wool or cashmere blends. If you don’t want to wear sneakers on your way in (which you can, nay should) then block or cuban heel and knee-high boots are the way to go. Bonus points for a rubber sole. Puddle jumping isn’t just for pre-schoolers.

Burberry

Investing in a classic gabardine trench coat means wearing it, and loving it, each and every winter. 

Colour: Tan | Style: Trench coat | Fit: True to size

SHOP NOW: Burberry The Long Kensington Heritage trench coat in honey, $4,150 from Burberry

Skirt convention

The mini-skirt is having her moment, and it's definitely office-appropriate, especially when worn as part a tweed skirt set. The look has been worn by everyone from Olivia Rodrigo to the street style set. Don't forget the midi-skirt too, it too works well for winter office outfits. Indeed the midi-skirt is super versatile, and suits playing with your proportion and textures. Pair a fitted one with a slouchy knit or colour block in one hue (including classic black) for an easy way to look polished. They work as well with an ankle boot as they do a heel.

Rixo

Vintage-inspired British label Rixo does bright and cheerful prints so well. Winter office outfits need not be dull, a midi-skirt allows for a little more fun to be had when it comes to colour. Pair with a knit or blazer and tights and boots when it's really chilly.

Colour: Floral print | Style: Midi skirt | Fit: True to size

SHOP NOW: Rixo Nancy pleated floral-print skirt, $201 from Mytheresa

Aje

Romantic and voluminous silhouettes always make a statement. A skirt can be pared back with a shirt or simple knit.

Colour: Black | Style: Midi skirt | Fit: True to size

SHOP NOW: Aje Paradiso Cinched midi skirt, $425 from Aje

Originally published as Winter work outfits that prove cold weather doesn’t mean sacrificing style