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Frost is nipping at our noses, which means our slouchy jackets and over-the-knee boots are back in the wardrobe rotation. As you swap out your fall dresses with their winter counterparts, consider upgrading some of your favorite styles.
Throughout the chilly months ahead, you might opt for long-sleeve sweater and velvet dresses for a more festive feel, or maxi dresses for extra coverage and warmth. We’ve rounded up a range of trending silhouettes appropriate for various occasions, from casual get-togethers and work to NYE parties and winter weddings. Shop the best cool-weather styles from reliable reader-favorite brands like J.Crew, Anthropologie, Zara, and Abercrombie & Fitch, ahead.
New Years Eve Dresses
New Years Eve celebrations always call for some sparkle, so we’re beelining for the chunky sequins and glitter. From mini dresses fit for rooftop bars and clubs to midis appropriate for lavish restaurant reservations, you’ll be dressed to the nines and ready to ring in the new year.
Sweater Dresses
Whether you’re dressing for the office, casual dinners, log cabin escapes, or window shopping, a sweater dress will serve you well. There’s a lot of variety, from jersey to cashmere, lightweight to thick knits — but all these cozy styles will keep you warm and comfortable throughout the season. We’ve found the best new sweater dresses in a range of lengths and colors, such as a button-up cardigan for work, a red maxi for winter festivities, and an off-the-shoulder mini for date night.
Winter Wedding Guest Dresses
If you’ve got weddings approaching and still don’t have your look, we’ve got you: Seek out rich jewel tones and classic black dresses with a twist (think bows and off-the-shoulder necklines). If the nuptials require cocktail attire, consider a mini or midi dress that’s versatile enough to wear again for other winter parties. A black-tie dress code calls for a gown, but you get bonus points if it’s in a festive color or bedazzled to the max.
Velvet Dresses
When we think of winter fabrics, our minds automatically go to velvet. It’s soft, smooth, and simply scrumptious — a great option for cocktail events and winter weddings, especially in a fitted midi or maxi silhouette. We also found minis with fun details like fluttery sleeves and lace collars for a range of other seasonal festivities, like potlucks and at-home NYE parties.
Winter Maxi Dresses
Maxi dresses aren’t just for the summer — in fact, they’re arguably ideal for winter, as the ankle-skimming, floor-grazing styles will keep your legs shielded from the frigid air. For casual occasions, lounge dresses and long sweater dresses are great. For more formal events, look for elevated one-shoulder and off-the-shoulder necklines.
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On a September night in New York City, thousands of people gathered outside Madison Square Garden, most of them wearing various combinations of bright green, combat boots, miniskirts, and corsets — some with “brat” emblazoned on the back of their shirt or waistband. With their outfits, they proclaimed that they bought into a specific set of the musical world.
The relationship between pop stars and fashion has always been unique: What they wear can make for a breakout moment worthy of national headlines, and it can be a tool to tell a story that stretches well beyond lyrics, an integral part of the universe-building that gets fans to not only come to a concert, but live in an artist’s world for a night. This year, though, felt like a turning point — perhaps a leveling — in the ways these artists use clothing to create a lasting impression on the public: Some pushed further into mega-stardom with their era-specific stage moments, as fashion and audiences alike bought in in bigger ways than ever.
While each album section throughout the tour came with its own set of clothing, the addition of a new one was a stark and literal example of just how quickly an outfit can push a narrative and a trend forward. On TikTok alone, there are hundreds of thousands of views on videos of people recreating the style. The tour’s biggest impact, though, may be in naming this phenomenon of using the power of fashion to create a moment. A sort of common understanding that a look corresponds to a specific moment or musical chapter is now known as an “era.”
Charli showed the power of fashioning an album and a tour perhaps better than any of her peers because, while it may seem like the singer just burst onto the scene, Brat was her sixth studio release. With an aesthetic tied to it, though, it hit like none before.
Luke Meagher, founder and editor of HauteLeMode, explains that “it allowed her to really define an image that will sit with her for those who didn’t know her before Brat Summer.”
On stage, Charli wore black combat boots and Y2K party girl looks. Her fans followed suit: According to Lyst, searches for “bright green” surged 332% year-on-year. It wasn’t just the color that had people buying in — it was the idea of a messy style, including clubwear staples, ushered in by the singer’s onstage looks. As the Sweat tour was kicking into high gear, demand for “biker boots” hit an all-time high in July, up 54% year-on-year on Lyst; demand for “tank tops” rose 27% month-on-month, with Coperni’s embellished tank top experiencing a 12,596% increase quarter-on-quarter, according to a spokesperson for the platform. At the same time, Charli booked campaigns with brands like Acne Studios and H&M, looking to harness the viral power of Brat.
Hanan Besovic, fashion commentator and founder of IDeserveCouture, thinks having a clear aesthetic without loyalty to a specific brand is a good move. “A lot of the pop stars have to be careful with the route they take,” he says. “Taylor Swift, for example, is playing it very smart and isn’t committed to one brand or a couture house. I believe that’s for a reason: She has such an impact that she doesn’t want to be associated with just one brand.”
Rodrigo’s GUTS tour was perhaps more subtle in its fashion reaches, but the singer’s two-piece sets and pop-punk-adjacent onstage styling was a sort of nod to the ways she’s capturing the late teen to early 20s transition — it’s playful, yes, but there’s a confidence that comes from wearing a see-through Rabanne slip in front of millions.
Toward the end of the year, another tour broke through the noise, with the costuming creating more buzz than maybe even expected. For her Short N’ Sweet tour, Carpenter donned a custom Victoria’s Secret set that included a crystal-embellished body suit, wrapped in a similar-style cape. While it may not have inspired direct copycats from her fans, the moment certainly moved her into a new echelon. The hyper-femme styling, which included babydoll dresses and slips, sparked the ire of moms who complained she was too sexy (despite presumably having…listened to the album) and the glee of attendees turning up to shows dressed in pink and minidresses.
“I think her transition out of Disney starlet into her own performer with her own image was perfectly cemented through her lingerie and boudoir wardrobe on stage,” Meagher says. “It helped to showcase her expanding her narrative but bringing in vintage-inspired aesthetics that are synonymous with stars of the past, from Greta Garbo to Brigitte Bardot, and making them fresh for a younger audience not familiar with them.”
Roan, while not on tour, still redefined herself for the world, using her stage looks to prove the type of artist she is. At Governors Ball in New York, she wore a Statue of Liberty ensemble, designed with the help of stylist Genesis Webb, and fans showed up in cowboy boots and glitter and frilly dresses and camo. Her outfits, which are interpretative of a song or a moment, act as permission for her fans to explore their whole selves, as well as the dichotomies within their style, as a “Midwest Princess” would. Similarly, Doechii wasn’t on the road, but her performance wardrobe was all about the multitudes she and her music contain (sometimes literally): Throughout 2024, she paired tightly buttoned cardigans with underwear, full suiting doubled as lingerie, and ultra mini Miu Miu skirts with layered polo shirts.
“Chappell Roan and Doechii are two great examples of not needing to have full branded wardrobes to stand out among the crowd,” Meagher says, adding that “innovating, daring and fun pieces will keep their audiences feeling thrilled but [are] also somewhat relatable as they build their stardom.”
After a year of major proof points that fashion and costumes can be an integral piece of the superstar puzzle, the question becomes: Is it a requirement to define an era in this way? Is it necessary to create a whole world using costuming to stay relevant? Maybe. 2024 showed that the full picture pays off and, as evidenced by the crowd shots and the money spent by hundreds of thousands of attendees worldwide, it seems to be working.
“If a pop star is not utilizing fashion,” Besovic argues, “they’re just missing out on a completely new market.”
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It’s that time again to peek behind the curtains (or closet doors) of Refinery29 editors to see what they’re wearing for winter.
In the fall, we overwhelmingly reached for spacious carryall bags, ballet flats, and work-appropriate blouses. But as we move into the winter, we’re updating our fashion must-haves: From tried-and-true pieces we already owned and are happily returning to, like cashmere scarves and matching sleepwear sets, to new additions like statement coats and retro jeans, we’re opting for cozy-chic styles from reader-favorite brands like Everlane, Damson Madder, and Free People. We’re also gravitating towards trends that actually stand the test of time, such as leopard print, wide-leg denim, and barn jackets.
Read on to see which cold-weather styles we stand behind for cozy days in and out. Then, go ahead and cart up some editor-approved pieces for a stylish winter.
All linked products are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission.
Rails Getty Paneled Wide Leg Jeans
“As a barely-five-foot girlie, finding patchwork jeans that fit me right has been a serious challenge. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve eagerly tried on an upcycled pair — typically at a thrift store that sells reworked vintage pieces — only to find that it’s entirely too long and baggy for my frame. These Rails paneled jeans looked promising to me since A) the straight paneled design looks elongating, and B) it already comes with an unfinished hem, so I can just snip another couple inches off if the inseam is still too long. I’m so glad the gamble paid off: The polished design has won me so many compliments, and it doesn’t overwhelm my height even with a wide-leg silhouette. The best part? No one can tell that I shortened these jeans myself.” — Venus Wong, Senior Writer
Rails Getty Paneled Wide Leg Jeans, $, available at RailsPhoto: Courtesy of Venus Wong.
We The Free Cori Waxed Jacket
“I had my eye on this jacket for a long time before it came into my possession, and it hasn't disappointed one bit. The deep earthy colors and classic cut all screams winter to me. It’s roomy enough to layer a sweater underneath, and it provides protection from light rain. It also goes well with just about anything: This with a scarf, jeans, and chunky ankle boots will be my uniform for the chilly months ahead.” — Tanyel Mustafa, Senior Writer
We The Free Cori Waxed Jacket, $, available at Free PeoplePhoto: Courtesy of Tanyel Mustafa.
Farm Rio Gigi Tapestry Mini Dress
“I’ve worn this shirtdress three times in the fall already, and am excited to continue wearing it throughout the winter, styled with tights and boots for holiday parties and for when I’m going straight from the office to industry events. I don’t own many floral-printed pieces, but this one fits seamlessly into my wardrobe while feeling seasonally-appropriate. The flouncy, billowy silhouette is also super comfortable and a big plus for all-day wear.” — Victoria Montalti, Associate Fashion Writer
Farm Rio Gigi Tapestry Mini Dress, $, available at Farm RioPhoto: Courtesy of Victoria Montalti.
Gap Barrel-Sleeve Denim Shirt
“While 2024 was certifiably the year of barrel-leg jeans, I hadn’t even considered barrel sleeves until I set my eyes on this Gap denim shirt. I love when a simple piece is spiced up with a bold flourish — like sheer-panelled T-shirts or embroidered denim — so I’m obsessed with how unexpected these sleeves are. Here, I’ve gone for a Canadian tuxedo with double the flair: barrel sleeves andthe brand’s horseshoe jeans. For some reason, it really, really works.” — Ebony-Renee Baker, Fashion Editor
Gap Barrel-Sleeve Denim Shirt, $, available at GapPhoto: Courtesy of Ebony-Renee Baker.
Everlane The Feather Cashmere Bandana
“This 100% cashmere scarf from Everlane was my most-used accessory last winter, and I don’t see that changing this year. It’s so easy to throw on as I head out the door, and it doesn’t add much bulk to already heavy and cumbersome winter layers. Because it folds up so small, I also find it so convenient to throw into my bag or tie around the handle of a tote, in case I get chilly throughout the day.” — Kate Spencer, Sr. Affiliate Partnerships Manager
Everlane The Feather Cashmere Bandana, $, available at EverlanePhoto: Courtesy of Kate Spencer.
Jamie Haller The Baggy Painter Jean
“After the ‘00s, I never thought I would wear cargo jeans again. And yet, I’ve worn this pocketed pair from Jamie Haller almost every other day this fall and winter. Thanks to its high-rise waist, structural baggy legs, and darker hue, the silhouette is more polished than its early aughts counterparts, pairing nicely with workwear-appropriate blazers and cardis.” — Irina Grechko, Fashion Director
Jamie Haller The Baggy Painter Jean, $, available at Jamie HallerPhoto: Courtesy of Irina Grechko.
Next Penny Lane Faux Fur Lined Longline Coat
“I’ve been lusting after a Charlotte Simone Penny Lane coat for so long now, but I keep missing out — partly because I’m too slow to the brand’s hotly-anticipated new-season drops, but mostly because they each cost an arm and a leg. (The last time I checked, it would set me back a cool $500. Eeek!) Imagine my surprise and excitement when I stumbled across this stunning, chocolate brown Penny Lane coat — a dead ringer for the CS coat I was after — in my local Next store. It’s less than $200, but it feels so luxurious and well-made. It’s lined with faux fur, and the fuzzy shearling around the sleeves and neckline is so thick, you don’t really need a scarf. I feel like a very chic bear every time I slip it on, all snug as a bug, despite the winter storms we’ve been battered with.” — Esther Newman, Affiliate Writer
Next Penny Lane Faux Fur Lined Longline Coat, $, available at NextPhoto: Courtesy of Esther Newman.
Damson Madder Tish Leopard Shirred Cami
“This cami is the perfect mix of deep brown tones, resulting in an elegant take on the inescapable leopard print. It still maintains some subtlety, which is hard to come by with this pattern. I love how this looks both on its own and layered over a black turtle neck when it’s cold. I wore this to an event recently with all black, and felt very chic. The bows on the back are a nice detail, too.” — Tanyel Mustafa, Senior Writer
Damson Madder Leopard Tish Shirred Cami, $, available at Damson MadderPhoto: Courtesy of Tanyel Mustafa.
Eberjey Inez Washable Silk Printed Long PJ Set
“While most of the year I sleep in mismatched concert shirts and basketball shorts, during the winter (and especially the holidays), I love a matching set. Eberjey’s styles are some of my favorites. Right now, I’m wearing the brand’s popular Inez silk set in navy and thick white stripes, which feels luxe and looks festive, without being a kitschy Christmas PJ.” — Victoria Montalti, Associate Fashion Writer
Eberjey Inez Washable Silk Printed Long PJ Set, $, available at EberjeyPhoto: Courtesy of Victoria Montalti.
Buck Mason Vintage Interloop Oversized Crew
“Never underestimate the versatility of a heather gray sweatshirt that fits just right. I jumped on this Buck Mason pullover because it reminded me of an unlabeled sweatshirt I thrifted in Tokyo, which had unfortunately shrunk in the wash. That one went with everything in my wardrobe, and I loved styling it with a red bandana tied around my neck, a black leather jacket, and my favorite pair of striped overalls. This new addition has that same pre-washed, vintage charm, with an interloop stitching detail on the crewneck, but is much softer and resistant to pilling in the wash. I can’t wait to wear this on repeat this winter.” — Venus Wong, Senior Writer
Buck Mason Vintage Interloop Oversized Crew, $, available at Buck MasonPhoto: Courtesy of Venus Wong.
Cos Oversized Quilted Jacket
“I bought this jacket a few weeks ago because I was missing a casual coat that wasn't too heavy and could comfortably fit over my oversized sweaters. I find this dark sage green color really easy to style with most of my everyday outfits — the silhouette is boxy, but still feels feminine. For the price and versatility, this has been a great addition to my winter wardrobe.” — Kate Spencer, Sr. Affiliate Partnerships Manager
