Winter is without a doubt the best season for style. With more layers needed to keep you rugged up, you have more items to show off your ability to put an ensemble together. But, after two years of lockdowns thwarting our plans to strut down the streets like it’s our very own runway, we find ourselves in the dark, what are the on-trend items this season, and are they actually going to keep us warm as we once again brave the brisk winds of the great outdoors. Here, we take a closer look at some of this year’s must-have pieces, and why you need them for a supremely stylish season.

Scarves

It’s funny to refer to scarves as a trend to try, in order to remain fashion forward in the colder months, yet the accessible accessory is now at the top of our lists for items to buy this winter. With the viral sensation of the Acne Studios Vally fringed checked knitted scarf, late last year, each fashion house began coming out with their own unique offerings of the piece. With you now being able to earn Qantas Points when you shop at David Jones, there is no excuse for you not to get down to your nearest location to pick out one for this chilly season. 

The scarf moves beyond being a trend, we see children rugged up in them, as they provide the very necessary function of keeping the harsh cold and winds away from your neck. Anyone from a small child to an elderly adult will wear one purely based on function alone, so now that the accessory is on trend once more, we’ve seen a flux of fashion-forward versions of the supremely practical item. 

Boots

Boots are a cold weather staple, rising beyond the ranks of simply stylish and into functional fashion territory, coming in various cuts and colours to satisfy the needs of every type of person, from the street style fashionista to the resourceful mother, simply looking for durable footwear that will endure the harsh conditions their pre-teen owner will put them through. Still, they remain to this day one of the most beloved and reached-for items in our wardrobe. Each year they are a constant in the pages of our favourite glossies,  each one declaring “here is this season’s hottest boot trend”. From square toes with Cuban heels to sky-high stilettos with a pointed toe for an extra kick. 

This season, in a post covid world, we’re saying goodbye to excessive comfort and hello to chic new styles that really pack a punch, no wallflowers here. One particular favourite of the fashion crowd is the knee-high style. Their unique ability to work for both the office and the bar makes them popular with professional women not wishing to sacrifice style for function. They also pair well with this season’s most in-demand skirt cuts, having a clear Y2K influence when paired with the mini, and oozing effortless glamour when paired with the midi or maxi skirt. Although flat styles are always popular, the higher heel has been seen all over social media. The best part of this trend is even once it’s no longer in the limelight, they do not fall into micro trend territory. Knee-high boots will always be a great addition to your wardrobe, elevating simple ensembles or adding an element of functionality. 

Bolero

One trend that seems to have come completely out of left field is the return of the bolero. This 90s hit has come in many forms in its time, ranging from essentially an arm warmer, all the way to a mini cardigan, however, the constant is it is a close-fitting cardigan with very little fabric in the front, essentially looking like a pair of arms to add to a sleeveless ensemble. This trend is a controversial one, with some hailing it as a breath of fresh air for the fashion world, a trend that hasn’t been run into the ground with a slightly altered version hitting the front pages of fashion magazines each year. Whilst others’ opinions seem to render it slightly silly. Why not just grab a proper jacket? What is the main use for this piece of fabric?

Well, the bolero is an incredible layering piece, making a simple style more interesting by adding an extra layer of fabric without completely drowning a carefully constructed ensemble in fabric. We’ve seen renewed popularity for the simple staples, jeans and a tank top make their grand return, and they pair perfectly with this controversial trend. Coming in a variety of shades and fabrics, you can find a bolero for every occasion. The secret to succeeding in the style game throughout winter is layers. Rather than sacrificing that ultra-flattering tank or tee in favour of something slightly more insulated, add some sleeves to your get-up, and then continue layering with oversized outerwear for a fashion-forward and functional look.  

Cargo Pants 

The cargo pant. A trend many of us swore off after we overcame the love affair we had with them as children and teens in the 2000s. A favourite of tv teenagers during the Y2K era, this style was a wild card when it began appearing, again and again, sprawled over our social media, inside magazines and even in stores. But, this time around the utilitarian pant has had a modern update, no longer do they resemble the items that are reminiscent of what we donned on school camp. The new iterations of the retro style have merged with the elevated suit pant to create a slightly more polished version than what we remember in our childhood. But, it doesn’t stop there, the cargo pant has been updated, being made in buttery silks and being found in ankle-skimming lengths. 

The revival of the cargo was inevitable as over the past five years we’ve seen a societal shift away from tight-fitting pants. This was accelerated in the wake of the pandemic, as endless lockdowns led to a rise in the popularity of loungewear. Meaning that today we no longer have a tolerance for discomfort. The cargo pant can also be transformed for every kind of fashionista, based simply on what you style this versatile piece with. When paired with a tank, bolero and on-trend sneakers it leans into the sports luxe, androgynous look. However, for a more elevated appearance, swap out the tank for a waistcoat style shirt, and pass on the sneakers in favour of classic loafers, finally, finish with an oversized trench or duster for an outfit appropriate for the office.

Oversized Outerwear 

One of the most wearable trends that we see reappear on the runways and amongst the fashion scene, every few years is the outerwear trend. It is so popular that some would argue it transcends the trend cycle and is simply a staple, with designers like Helmut Lang continuing to perfect their offerings of the style.  But this trend is more than a one-trick pony. We’ve seen it take many forms and become more and more exaggerated in a way that brings playfulness back to fashion. In a trend scene rife with cutouts, midriffs, micro minis and teeny tiny boleros, it’s nice to see a cold weather trend that really prioritises function as well as fashion. Whilst Y2K still reigns supreme in popularity on both our screens and streets, here we see the eighties’ influence shine through, with larger-than-life cuts and shoulder pads reminiscent of a somehow even more over-the-top version of American Psycho. 

A common critique of oversized outerwear is that you can be drowned in the fabric, and oversized suddenly just become too big. But the way for your oversized jackets, coats or other millinery to still look tailored is to pair with more simple, streamlined clothing underneath, so it acts almost as a feature piece and the dimensions still work well within the ensemble. This trend can be much more versatile than it may originally appear. As outerwear can be used to add an element of fun back into an outfit. Purchase in a jewel or punchy bright and pair with similar shades underneath for a tonal style of dressing. Or, if you’re looking for a more subdued palette but still looking for a playful edge, play with proportions. Pair with the controversial trending micro mini and sky-high platforms, against the androgynous ankle-grazing coat, for a get-up that still looks fun and fresh without the need for bold tones. 

Midaxi

Although we’ve seen the micro mini skirt everywhere, it’s the midaxi that is the ultimate hemline for winter. This style is beloved by designers, fashion darlings and the general public alike, thanks to its ultra-wearable ankle-skimming length, falling a little lower than the mid-calf midi, and falling a little short of the floor skimming maxi. It is essentially a vehicle for creation, being chopped and changed into different looks depending on the aesthetic. From the tomboy-leaning cargo skirt, riffing off the newfound popularity of the cargo pants. To silky slip iterations that pair well with the ballet flat, this season’s daintiest heelless shoe offering. 

The midaxi skirt’s versatility is what will see it transcend the trend cycle and become a mainstay. Paired with an oversized leather jacket, simple tank, scarf and boots, is a formula for an incredibly wearable and fashion-forward look. With a simple swap out of accessories, it can be worn on a variety of occasions, or even worn throughout the seasons. Available in anything from knit to tulle, this hem proves its staying power, with a number of fashion houses creating their own spin, from the flowy, ultra-feminine florals of Australian powerhouse Zimmerman, to the edgier, eclectic offerings from Londons Rixo. Watch this space, if you don’t own 0ne already, you’re likely to soon. 

As we brave the outdoors once again for yet another year of rainy days, and bone-chilling winds, we nervously scroll through our phones and flip the glossy pages of our magazines, as we look to see what is stylish this season. But, we can breathe a sigh of relief as we take a look at the street style and runways to see some of the pieces that have risen to prominence this winter are both functional and fashionable.