Winter can be dark and cold, but it does offer one solace: When it comes to fashion, there's no season that offers more ways to play with texture. Think dreamy suede, luxurious velvet, delicious leather, elevated corduroy, soft shearling, and the kind of warm cashmere knits that make you feel like you’re wearing a hug.
Leaning into texture in the form of winter wardrobe trends makes getting dressed that much more joyful. For a fool-proof minimalist look, go with a chestnut corduroy pant paired with a Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy-esque black turtleneck and leather Chelsea boots, or take a cue from The Row’s latest collection and go head-to-toe tonal in neutral layered shirting.
If you'd prefer to make a statement, shearling accessories add dimension to any look. You could also add some color with a blue velvet bag or a red cashmere scarf, or tap into our favorite shade of the season, dark brown; in suede, it works perfectly with easy winter favorites like vintage jeans and a Fair Isle sweater.
Below, I’ve shopped out some of the best pieces on the market in six key winter textures.
Chestnut Corduroy
This season, corduroy separates have become a wardrobe staple. Corduroy pants make an appealing alternatives to jeans or trousers; pair them with a black turtleneck or neutral layered shirting, and add darker boots to break up the look. For the office, fully commit in a head-to-toe corduroy look with a pencil skirt paired with a bomber-style cropped jacket and knee-high kitten heeled boots. Or, if you'd like a more subtle touch, try accessorizing a tailored look with a corduroy crossbody bag or Mary Jane flat.
Celine Triomphe Bag
Mango Flared Corduroy Jeans
Vibi Venezia Mary Jane Corduroy Flats
The Row Idro Cotton Corduroy Shirt
Elevated Leather
The sleekest investments this season come in luxurious leather. From a soft oversized bomber to a straight-leg pant, these look coolest with a white t-shirt and cozy sweater with matching leather flat boots. Belts are always a good wardrobe builder; silver hardware (silver is the new gold!) adds the perfect pop of shine to balance an otherwise one-note look.
Loewe Padded Bomber Jacket
Toteme Sock Leather Ankle Boots
Khaite Loxley Leather Pencil Skirt
Massimo Dutti Crackled Nappa Satchel Bag
Madewell Triple Metal Keeper Silver Belt
Cozy Shearling Accessories
Looking for the coziest accessory this season? One word: Shearling! Try a hat with a neutral wool coat over a suit for a refined commuter look, or grab Bottega Veneta's clutch with studded embellishments to make a statement at an evening event. You could even lean fully into winter glam with a muff that keeps your hands warm while doubling as a bag.
Ralph Lauren Shearling Hat
Toteme Shearling-edge Winter Boots
Bottega Veneta Pouch Stud Embellished Shearling Clutch
Rachel Comey Menlo No Sacchetto Shoes
Luxurious Velvet
When it comes to colorful luxe separates, soft velvet daywear feels so elevated. A pop of green pencil skirt with tights and ballerina flats look coolest with a jean jacket for an opposites-attract approach. Same goes for a quilted red velvet jacket with a pair of jeans and festive flats. Or, if you'd prefer to lean into the chocolate brown trend, Asceno makes the perfect button-down shirt in an opulent velvet texture. Wear it with a pair of brown trousers for a dimensional—yet monochromatic—look.
Posse Marley Quilted Velvet Jacket
Asceno London Velvet PJ Top
Dries Van Noten Twister Velvet Top-Handle Bag
Lelet NY Heloise Velvet Headband
Dark Brown Suede
Brown suede bags have been all the rage, and we saw suede jackets all over the runways (even into spring!) Whether you invest in Prada's current It bag or Khaite's knee-high boots, this color and texture works with almost anything. Jackets in dark brown suede offer the perfect cool-girl balance to a tailored skirt-suit office look. Or, to add a soft touch to an evening look, try a long suede coat instead of the typical wool jacket.
Massimo Dutti Suede Leather Jacket
Prada Medium Suede Top Handbag
Khaite Suede Knee-High Boots
Eliou Martelo Wrap
STOULS Gégé Suede Flared Pants
The Frankie Shop Peoria Faux Suede Trench Coat
Soft Knitwear
When it comes to layering, soft knitwear is where you can really play. Taking inspiration from Phoebe Philo, layer a charcoal heavier-weight knit crew-neck over a collared monochromatic sweater for the ultimate warmth and a subtle styling effect. Tonal gray and biscuit-colored knit separates look most elevated with high heeled boots; to add some flair, incorporate a pop of color in the form of a red scarf.
GOBI Mongolian Cashmere Fringed Scarf
Massimo Dutti Wool Blend Knit Polo Sweater
COS Chunky Pure Cashmere Turtleneck
Mango Wool-Blend Midi-Skirt
