It’s time to get on top of your wedding guest outfits for cool-weather nuptials, happening throughout the holiday season until the spring equinox on March 20.
Whether you’re looking for a new party dress (especially for NYE nuptials) or are partial to formal pants, we’re here to help you search for what to wear to winter weddings. These festivities are a chance to play around with seasonal colors and dazzling fabrics across special-occasion jumpsuits, matching sets, and sequined numbers that can go from day to night.
We’ve rounded up 25 winter wedding guest outfit ideas for every dress code, budget, and personal style. Shop for a mix of black-tie, cocktail, and casual styles from reader-favorite retailers like Free People, Anthropologie, Abercrombie & Fitch, Zara, and Damson Madder that’ll get you on the best-dressed list for every winter party.
All linked products are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission.
Pantsuits for wedding guests are chicer than ever, so we want to put these matching separates on your radar. (Plus, we’ve included a mix of casual and formal skirt sets for a similar vibe.) Pick from festive velvet, lace, floral, and plaid sets that can be worn on their own with a statement necklace or with a blouse underneath. When the party’s over, rewear the blazers, trousers, and skirts together or separately, for other winter festivities and office days alike.
Boden Woodbridge Cord Blazer, $, available at Boden
Free People Electra Heart Midi Skirt Set, $, available at Free People
Anthropologie The Somerset Strapless Blouse & Velvet Pull-On Pants
Anthropologie The Somerset Strapless Blouse, $, available at Anthropologie
Anthropologie The Somerset Velvet Pull-On Pants, $, available at Anthropologie
Hill House Home The Bec Jacket & The Lark Skirt
Hill House Home The Bec Jacket, $, available at Hill House Home
Hill House Home The Lark Skirt, $, available at Hill House Home
Ann Taylor Plaid Notched One Button Blazer & Straight Trouser
Ann Taylor The Notched One Button Blazer in Plaid, $, available at Ann Taylor
Ann Taylor The Straight Trouser in Plaid, $, available at Ann Taylor
Winter Wedding Guest Jumpsuits
We love the idea of a jumpsuit for a winter wedding, because, let’s be honest, we don’t really want our legs exposed to the frigid air. To stay warm and comfortable while looking stylish, seek out long-sleeved, high-neck silhouettes in thick fabrics. Keep it sleek in black, or test out holiday reds, rich burgundies or metallic golds.
Hutch Mabel Foil Pleated Jumpsuit, $, available at Anthropologie
Reiss Structured Strapless Wide-Leg Jumpsuit, $, available at Reiss
Alexa Chung x Madewell Tux Jumpsuit
Alexa Chung x Madewell Tux Jumpsuit, $, available at Madewell
JJ's House Chiffon Scoop Floor-Length Jumpsuit
JJ's House Chiffon Scoop Floor-Length Jumpsuit, $, available at JJ's House
Winter Black-tie Wedding Guest Dresses
Formal weddings likely require black-tie dresses, which should probably be floor-length but certainly don’t have to be black. Look out for rich jewel tones in satin or sequined fabrics. We’re eyeing luxe gowns with detached scarves and faux capes for extra pizazz (and warmth).
Lulus Floral Burnout Cowl Back Maxi Dress, $, available at Lulus
Show Me Your Mumu Dalia Maxi Dress
Show Me Your Mumu Dalia Maxi Dress, $, available at Show Me Your Mumu
Adrianna Papell Plus Size Linear Bead Cape Column Gown
Adrianna Papell Plus Size Linear Bead Cape Column Gown, $, available at Adrianna Papell
Abercrombie & Fitch Giselle Strapless Scarf Babydoll Maxi Dress, $, available at Abercrombie & Fitch
Winter Cocktail Wedding Guest Dresses
Cocktail attire is one of the most popular special-occasion dress codes. Somewhere in between formal and casual, it allows you (and the party) to move from day to night, and it opens you up to more silhouettes, hemline lengths, and fabrics. For the winter, we recommend velvet midi dresses, versatile maxi dresses, and satin mini dresses that you can pair with thick tights.
Reformation Briony Velvet Dress, $, available at Reformation
Eloquii Lace Fitted Maxi Dress
Eloquii Lace Fitted Maxi Dress, $, available at Eloquii
J.Crew Satin Scoopback Mini Dress
J.Crew Satin Scoopback Mini Dress, $, available at J.Crew
Zara Sequin Cummerbund Midi Dress
Zara Sequin Cummerbund Midi Dress, $, available at Zara
Astr The Label One-Shoulder Velvet Midi Dress
ASTR The Label One-Shoulder Velvet Midi Dress, $, available at Nordstrom
Winter Casual Wedding Guest Dresses
For winter weddings with partially-outdoor ceremonies or restaurant receptions with casual, cozy vibes, keep your comfort (and warmth) top of mind. Slip into a long-sleeve mini dress, paired with sheer black tights and booties. (You also can’t go wrong with thick jerseys in formal designs or taffeta fabric with casual styling).
Never Fully Dressed Plisse Mini Tilly Dress, $, available at Never Fully Dressed
Damson Madder Elina Midi Dress
Damson Madder Elina Midi Dress, $, available at Damson Madder
City Chic Plus Size Jaylee Mini Dress
City Chic Plus Size Jaylee Mini Dress, $, available at City Chic
Old Navy Twist-Front Jersey Midi Dress
Old Navy Twist-Front Jersey Midi Dress, $, available at Old Navy
Quince 100% Washable Silk Long Sleeve Mini Dress
Quince 100% Washable Silk Long Sleeve Mini Dress, $, available at Quince
Wedding Guest Pant Suits & Sets
Pantsuits for wedding guests are chicer than ever, so we want to put these matching separates on your radar. There are velvet, metallic, floral, and striped sets that can be worn on their own with a statement necklace or with a blouse or vest underneath. When the party’s over, rewear the blazers, tops, and trousers together or separately, for other winter festivities and office days alike.
ASOS DESIGN Crinkle Velvet Blazer, $, available at ASOS
ASOS DESIGN Tailored Crinkle Velvet Pants, $, available at ASOS
We love the idea of a jumpsuit for a winter wedding, because, let’s be honest: We don’t really want our legs exposed to the frigid air. To stay warm and comfortable while looking stylish, seek out long-sleeved, high-neck silhouettes in rich velvets and luxe jersey knits. Keep it sleek in black, or test out emerald green, navy blue, or metallic silver.
Old Navy Fit & Flare Velvet Jumpsuit, $, available at Old Navy
City Chic Attract Jumpsuit
City Chic Attract Jumpsuit, $, available at City Chic
Farm Rio Long Sleeve Knot Jumpsuit
Farm Rio Long Sleeve Knot Jumpsuit, $, available at Farm Rio
Bar III Plus Size Metallic Jersey One-Shoulder Jumpsuit
Bar III Plus Size Metallic Jersey One-Shoulder Jumpsuit, $, available at Macy's
Abercrombie & Fitch Contrast Strapless Jumpsuit
Abercrombie & Fitch Contrast Strapless Jumpsuit, $, available at Abercrombie & Fitch
Black-tie Wedding Guest Dresses
Formal weddings likely require black-tie dresses, which should probably be floor-length but certainly don’t have to be black. Look out for rich jewel tones in satin or iridescent fabrics. We’re eyeing winter ruffles for extra dimension and drama. Throw on a faux-fur coat, slip into comfortable heels, and swipe on burgundy lipstick to complete your ensemble.
Eloquii Dramatic Ruffle Gown, $, available at Eloquii
Staud Calluna Iridescent Dress
Staud Calluna Iridescent Dress, $, available at Staud
Michael Costello x Revolve Loren Gown
Michael Costello x revolve Loren Gown, $, available at Revolve
House of Harlow 1960 x Revolve Astra Gown, $, available at Revolve
Cocktail Wedding Guest Dresses
Cocktail attire is one of the most popular special-occasion dress codes. Somewhere in between formal and casual, it allows you (and the party) to move from day to night, and it opens you up to more silhouettes, hemline lengths, and fabrics. For the winter, we recommend midi dresses with delicate lace and mesh trims or elevated bows and pearl embellishments.
V. Chapman Vera Ruffle-Strap Corset Side-Slit Midi Dress, $, available at Anthropologie
Reformation Plus Stasia Silk Dress
Reformation Plus Stasia Silk Dress, $, available at Reformation
Elliatt Vida Off-The-Shoulder Long Sleeve Cocktail Minidress
ELLIATT Vida Off The Shoulder Long Sleeve Cocktail Minidress, $, available at Nordstrom
Lulus Mesh Pearl One-Shoulder Midi Dress, $, available at Lulus
Casual Wedding Guest Dresses
For winter weddings with outdoor ceremonies or restaurant receptions with casual, cozy vibes, keep your comfort (and warmth) top of mind. Slip into a long-sleeve mini or midi dress, paired with sheer black tights and a pair of booties or closed-toe pumps. (You also can’t go wrong with a velvet maxi.) And don’t be afraid of prints — play with plaids and dark florals.
Free People Midnight Magic Mini Dress, $, available at Free People
Good American Velvet Fit For Success Maxi Dress
Good American Velvet Fit For Success Maxi Dress, $, available at Good American
Madewell V-Neck Cuff-Sleeve Maxi Dress
Madewell V-Neck Cuff-Sleeve Maxi Dress, $, available at Madewell
While we all may have very clear visions of Carrie Bradshaw running around Manhattan in Manolo Blahnik heels and spending hours playing dress up in luxury stores, the real life style icon Sarah Jessica Parker, today, is opting for quick and efficient online shopping with the help of Google.
“I don’t consider myself a very good shopper because I’m seduced by imagery and what looks great on somebody else. But there’s a truth about my size and what colors look good on me,” Parker exclusively tells Refinery29. And thanks to Google’s “Try On” feature, Parker can actually envision herself in pieces before hastily carting them up. “I think this is one use of [AI] that feels not only benign, but potentially quite helpful. It creates clarity about how things may or may not look on you.”
While I’m personally quite weary of AI in general, as I was speaking to SJP, I knew I had to try this feature for myself. Because although I wax poetic about all the best fashion to shop online, I find myself gravitating more towards in-person shopping because I’m unsure how many pieces will fit my petite-yet-curvy body. With that, I used some of SJP’s best holiday season dressing advice to see how her favorite styles actually look on myself through Google Try On.
The technology came out earlier this year, but it’s just gotten a refresh with SJP’s new holiday campaign. According to Google’s blog, the virtual try-on technology allows “shoppers to try on billions of items of clothing from our Shopping Graph. It’s powered by a new custom image generation model for fashion, which understands the human body and nuances of clothing — like how different materials fold, stretch and drape on different bodies.”
Again, I was skeptical but excited at the same time.
Self-declared “lousy shopper” Parker explains: “I just think it’s really helpful and really user-friendly, and I’m hoping it kind of cuts out some of the chaos and hysteria around shopping,” adding: “I think this idea of Google Shopping with the ability to actually see it on your person takes some of that intimidation away, but also you feel more assured that you’re purchasing something that will likely really suit the occasion and your person.”
It works by searching for fashion items on Google and clicking into a product suggestion before seeing a “try it on” pop-up button. Then you can upload a full-body image of yourself and the AI technology realistically adds the clothing onto your body. It also has a follow-up feature where you can save and send the image to your group chat if you need a second opinion. (And if you’re wondering, SJP says she would definitely text looks to longtime collaborator and Sex and the City costume designer Molly Rogers for fashion help).
As SJP went on listing her favorite festive attire — from houndstooth and platinum to “chiffon big skirts from the eighties with a leotard” (Ã la Carrie Bradshaw) and jewel-tone tights paired with patent leather Mary Janes — I put some to the test with Google Try On.
After uploading a couple of full-body photos of myself wearing fitting clothing as suggested on my phone, one photo worked best and saved into Google so it could be reused for every new product I selected. (I think in the future I’d opt for a tank top and biker shorts for the most accurate depiction of my body, especially for skin-baring pieces, but I was pleased with how Google auto-generated my body, especially in mini dresses (see below).
“I went to a party the other evening and the host was wearing a pinstripe suit, but the pinstripes were all sparkly, and I loved it,” Parker says. And so I searched for just that and clicked on a suit from Sandro via Nordstrom, which I could see myself standing in within 10 seconds. (It’s important to note that the feature doesn’t work on the first sponsored products that pop up on the search page, and not every single retailer offers it.)
I also wanted to virtually try on a vintage-inspired party dress after Parker declared: “I personally love plaids and tartans this time of year. It’s really old fashioned, but I see more and more of it and it’s really exciting.” Eager to try a Free People dress with a drop waistandbubble skirt (both trendy yet polarizing silhouettes), I was pleasantly surprised by how it looked on my body. The feature even styled me in the same shoes that the model is wearing.
And when she isn’t attending lavish soirees, SJP is opting for humble winter wardrobe staples. “My day-to-day, I’m in waffle-cotton Hanes men’ s leggings in white. And I’m in 20-year-old cashmere cardigans from J. Crew.”
I’ll spare you the unflattering image of me wearing Hanes’ men’s leggings. But hey, thankfully I could try them virtually before assuming just because SJP loves them that they’d also look good on me, and wasting my time and money! But it was fun playing around with how more practical cardigans — as well as more elaborate styles, like gowns that I may never actually wear — looked like.
“I just think people can have things on their body that they might never have had a chance to try,” Parker explains, adding: “It feels like it’s a nice way for people to have some more assurance and also a touch of fantasy.”
So, if you’re needing some festive outfit inspo and fantasy (from the comfort of your couch), consider it sorted.
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
This holiday season, we’ve found the gifts that feel great to get and even better to give. Shop our collection of editor-approved holiday gift guides here.
Practical holiday gifts conjure up images of unwrapping a pair of sad socks with an even-sadder frown. But let it be known: The sad sock is an anomaly, and we're here to stick up for all the truly useful presents out there.
This list of aesthetically fulfilling, actually practical gifts is for all those loved ones who aren’t fans of decorative candles or another mug to add to an ever-growing collection. From cozy bedding accessories to kitchen goods, these will support your pragmatic giftee in their sensible endeavors. Keep clicking for suggestions from Refinery29 readers, anonymous shopping data on top-bought items, and professional editors.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. All product details reflect the price and availability at the time of publication. If you buy or click on something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
Touchland Limited Edition Power Mist Hydrating Hand Sanitizer Seasonal Trio Set
As one Virgo (me) might say, the best gift is avoiding getting sick, especially at the height of cold and flu season. This seasonal Touchland trio keeps things fun, festive, and free of germs.
Touchland Limited Edition Power Mist Hydrating Hand Sanitizer Set, $, available at Sephora
Boll & Branch Turkish Ultra Plush Robe
We love the plushness of a fluffy hotel robe, so why not gift someone that same luxury for their home? Made with 100% organic cotton, this super soft style will make them feel like royalty for years to come.
Boll & Branch Turkish Ultra Plush Robe, $, available at Boll & Branch
Cricut EasyPress Mini
If your giftee loves crafting, they probably already have the Cricut EasyPress Mini on their wish list. This little machine is a game-changer, able to heat-transfer designs on everything from stuffed animals to T-shirts. Get ready for a whole lot of customized swag in the new year.
Anyone who runs errands (so, all of us) will appreciate this handy running belt to stay hands-free while out and about. Made with Lululemon's sweat-wicking Nulux fabric, it’s lightweight, breathable, and the perfect size for necessities like keys, cards, and your phone.
Lululemon Fast and Free Running Belt, $, available at Lululemon
Beast Bundle: Glass
Making smoothies, soups, and juices has never been easier. The Tonal Bundle from Beast has everything your giftee needs, including a blender, a stainless steel bottle, a 500nL container, storage lids, a straw cap, and cleaning brushes.
Beast Health Bundle: Glass, $, available at Beast Health
Hoka Clifton 10
In the comfy shoe world, one practical sneaker brand currently reigns supreme: Hoka. Everything from the memory foam ankle collar to light & airy mesh construction, and maximal cushion makes these kicks a foot's best friend (and an amazing buy for your sensible bestie).
Free People's Quilted Carryall seems all fun and games (with its funky, puffy fabric), but don't be fooled: This tote's spacious interior, extra-cushy shoulder strap, and secure top-zip closure make it quite the practical purchase.
FP Movement Quilted Carryall Bag, $, available at Free People
La Bonne Brosse Large Brush No 3
While a bit pricey, this brush detangles hair, stimulates the scalp, and increases blood flow to the roots. They’ll be thanking you for years to come.
La Bonne Brosse Large Brush N03, $, available at Revolve
Merrell Coldpack 3 Thermo Moc Waterproof
Comfy, durable, and easy to style — the Merrell Thermo Moc is as sensible as it is fun.
Merrell Coldpack 3 Thermo Moc Waterproof, $, available at Zappos
Bearaby Cotton Weighted Blanket
No one really believes they need a weighted blanket until they try one and end up feeling so cozy and secure, they wonder how they ever slept without one. Made of buttery-soft organic cotton, this chunky-knit one is a stylish option that will help someone get some quality shut-eye.
Bearaby Cotton Weighted Blanket, $, available at Bearaby
Salt & Stone Mini Deodorant Discovery Set
How’s this for practical: Gift a friend the option to test out four of Salt & Stone’s beloved deodorants so that they can pick which one they like best before committing to a full-sized purchase.
Salt & Stone Mini Deodorant Discovery Set, $, available at Nordstrom
Lands' End Dog Puffer Jacket
Some people only have eyes for their pets, so what could delight them more than a gift for their furry friend? This adorable puffer vest will look cute on any pup while keeping them warm on winter strolls.
Lands' End Dog Puffer Vest, $, available at Lands' End
DedCool Milk DedTergent
Sure, this pricey detergent looks incredibly gift-worthy — but hear us out: Can you truly put a price on elevating an everyday chore? They’ll thank you once their sheets, towels, shirts, socks, and underwear are softly cocooned in a fresh, delicious scent that puts Tide to shame. (One of our writers tried it, and they can confirm that it's, indeed, heavenly).
A cutesy glass adorned with croissants is an easy way to infuse whimsy into your day-to-day life. If French pâtisseries don't match your loved one's style, try one of the 18 other adorable designs.
Anthropologie Icon Juice Glass, $, available at Anthropologie
Beekman 1802 Goat Milk Soap
Winter weather can be harsh on the skin, so treat your loved one to a luxurious goat milk soap, which hydrates and gently cleanses with a crisp, fresh scent.
Beekman 1802 Goat Milk Soap, $, available at Ulta Beauty
High Camp Flasks Engravable Parkside Flask
This customizable flask includes two detachable cups and can hold up to 750 mL (aka a whole bottle of wine). Bring it to campsites or outdoor hangs, and forget about the fuss and muss of things like corkscrews or cups.
High Camp Flasks Custom Engraved Parkside Flask, $, available at High Camp Flasks
Fluff Co Pillow & Comforter Kit
Even the most serious giftees need sleep — and who wouldn’t appreciate a brand-new comforter and pillow kit? Help your loved one crush those ZZZs with Fluff Co.'s bedding, which is made by the same manufacturer of hotel pillows, only without the markup.
Fluff Co. Pillow & Comforter Kit, $, available at Fluff Co.
AeroGarden Harvest Lite in Black
For the friend with a green thumb and not a lot of free outdoor space, this hydroponic garden will allow them to grow herbs, vegetables, or flowers inside their homes. All they’ll have to do is pop the seed pods in, add plant growth food from time to time, and turn the grow light on — boom, fresh produce they can use the next time you’re over for dinner.
AeroGarden Harvest Lite in Black, $, available at Amazon
Graza Glass Duo Gift Set
Fact: You can never have too much olive oil in your kitchen. Graza’s classic duo has been remagined in keepsake-worthy glass bottles that you can refill for years to come.
Your lucky giftee will be bright-eyed and bushy-tailed with this reusable eye mask and eye serum bundle.
Dieux Angel Eyes: Reusable Eye Mask & Eye Serum Bundle, $, available at Dieux
Tushy Classic Bidet 3.0
Listen, everybody poops. Allow this aesthetically pleasing bidet to liven up the experience for your loved one. And if you want to go the extra mile, consider bundling it with the Tushy ottoman. It’s something your giftee will never know they needed until you gift it to them.
Williams-Sonoma Hold Everything Expandable Over The Sink Drying Rack
Chances are your sensible giftee is fairly orderly — this very clever over-the-sink drying rack will delight their clean-kitchen sensibilities.
Williams-Sonoma Hold Everything Expandable Over The Sink Drying Rack, $, available at Williams-Sonoma
Leatherology Slim Card Case
Treat your friend with a far-too-old ruggedly old card case to a new, beautifully crafted, full-grain leather one that can also be personalized. It’ll make them feel like a million bucks, regardless of what’s inside it.
Leatherology Slim Card Case, $, available at Leatherology
Brooklinen Marlow Pillow
Seeing as we're supposed to be tossing our pillows out every one to two years, a gifted replacement seems to be a pretty practical move. Brooklinen's customizable Marlow Pillow is filled with supportive memory foam, and fitted with a zipper that allows users to adjust its height. In short, this pillow is as crowd-pleasing as it gets.
Brooklinen Marlow Pillow, $, available at Brooklinen
Cadence Refillable Magnetic Capsules
For your sustainably minded giftees who are always on the go and in need of a convenient vessel to stash their self-care and toiletry essentials, there's Cadence's refillable containers crafted from recycled ocean plastic.
Cadence The Honeycomb (Set of 7), $, available at Cadence
Ostrichpillow Go Neck Pillow
Not everyone has the gift of falling asleep anywhere, and that's why sleep aids were created. For your loved ones who are always on the go, this is the perfect gift so they can rest comfortably no matter the location.
OstrichPillow Go Neck Pillow, $, available at Free People
In Good Taste Wine Sampler
If they're into wine, gift them a virtual at-home tasting with In Good Taste's six-bottle samplers thoughtfully sourced from small-batch wineries across the globe.
It doesn't get more useful than this chic, eight-in-one pan from sustainable-cookware favorite Our Place. The magical do-it-all piece is nontoxic and incredibly nonstick, and it comes washed in an array of unique kitchen hues your giftee likely won't find elsewhere.
Our Place Essential Always Cooking Pan, $, available at Our Place
Minted Leafy Letter
For the earnest loved one who sends their heartfelt hellos and sentimental thank-yous to your mailbox, not your inbox, this personalized stationery is sure to be a hit.
Practical people are also usually big planners, too — so, it only makes sense that gifting one with the ability to book lodgings of their choosing on an upcoming trip would be pretty practical-pleasing stuff.
Airbnb Customizable Gift Card, $, available at Airbnb
Open Spaces Entryway Rack
Crafted from smooth painted steel, this three-tier entryway rack is a sharp-looking and useful dual-purpose home surprise. Whether your giftee wants to use the cool piece for Instagram-worthy shoe storage or as a side table for plants, books, etc., this rack will get the job done and look damn good doing it.
Open Spaces Entryway Rack, $, available at Open Spaces
Dyson V8 Absolute
Ok, this one is pricey — but, hear us out: this very expensive gift for your practical person is also potentially a gift for yourself (if you live with said giftee). Fast, lightweight, and a joy to slide on dirty surfaces, Dyson's V8 Absolute is a gadget so good it'll make any nonplussed person want to dance around with unbridled glee whilst cleaning on a Sunday. (I would know, I reviewed one and now we are in love.) Oh, it also happens to be $50 off right now, too!
Treat a sensible giftee (who definitely keeps their hands extremely clean) to this trio of travel-sized cleansing gel, evaporative mist, and hydrating balm, all wrapped up in a stylish recycled-cotton pouch.
A non-eyesore bedside gadget that's engineered to not only bring sunlight into your practical giftee's room on dark winter mornings but also to help them do everything from guided breathwork, meditations, pre-bedtime wind-downs, and snooze-through-the-night customizable sounds. In short, it's a personalized bedtime routine they can keep on their nightstands.
The entire shopping team audibly gasped when The ReNew Slippers emerged onto the scene last year (and we're all practical people!). The pair has already made its rounds in more than a few holiday gift guides, circulated on social media, and been added to our very own virtual carts just in time for the chilly holiday season. We can express with confidence that any no-nonsense giftee in your life would be glad to pop a pair of these 100%-recycled "duvets for your feet" slippers onto their tootsies.
It's a safe assumption that your practical pals like to plan ahead — and if anyone knows how to plan, it's Erin Condren. The designer's functionally and aesthetically designed schedulers are bestselling organization essentials that make A+ gifting material in advance of the new year.
The light dims, the temperatures drop, and suddenly the world asks you to become your own source of warmth. But joy in winter isn’t found — it’s self-initiated. It’s the glitter you swipe on for an office party, the text inviting friends over when the instinct is to hibernate, the little acts of glamour that lift your mood when the sun clocks out early.
Although I live in sunny Los Angeles now — and this will be my third winter here — the New Yorker in me will never forget what the season truly feels like. I know the sharp bite of wind on your face, the sprint to the subway in a full-length puffer, the way a great coat can change your entire outlook on a day that feels impossibly gray. Winter requires resourcefulness. It asks you to participate in your own delight.
For this year’s Winter Lookbook, we embraced that ethos and dreamed up five archetypes, each embodying a different response to the season: the woman who refuses to be cold yet refuses to look bad, the early-morning studio devotee, the holiday enthusiast, the effortless hostess, and the one who transforms entirely after dark. They each dress for the mood they want, not the weather outside; they layer textures, play with proportion, embrace metallics, and create their own glow in the darkest months.
To bring this world to life, we partnered with three extraordinary artists:
Stylist Christine Nicholson built a visual universe where winter dressing becomes totally reimagined. Think silver chainmail draped over soft knits, feathered headpieces that nod to another era, and sculptural accessories that redefine cold-weather glamour.
Makeup artist Katie Jane Hughes reimagined holiday beauty with cool restraint. She showed us that luminosity doesn’t require heavy layers; sometimes, a shimmery lip and nearly bare skin is the boldest statement. Her rhinestone freckles for our Snowed Under look were nothing short of magical.
Nail artist Naomi Yasuda elevated winter manicures to high art, crafting everything from delicate reverse French designs to full-on disco-metallic sets that feel like jewelry in their own right.
And beyond the holiday parties, there is the quintessence of winter dressing: New Year’s Eve. It’s a night I take seriously: the ritual of it, the intention behind it, the desire to enter the new year as the fullest, most expressive version of yourself.
As you scroll, you’ll also find guides to braving the cold with style, ideas for hosting in chic winter whites, new ways to think about your nails and makeup this season, and fashion that helps you generate your own joy, no matter the temperature.
Because winter doesn’t hand you delight — you have to make it — and this season, we hope these images inspire you to create more of it.
