Women's Winter Style Guide

With harsh weather requiring multiple layers of dress, winter  becomes the most difficult season  to stay in fashion.   Learn how to brave the elements in style  with our guide to beautiful and practical winter clothing,  with trends  that will keep you young, yet mature.   

Winter Style 2008-2009

Cute Coats  The swing coat  or the trench  are the season staple.   They work with everything from jeans  to leggings  to a sparkly cocktail dress.   Play with patterns,  textures,  and colours, or stick with a classic navy or black.   For the more structured feel of the season, go for a double-breasted coat  in a sombre hue.  Wear it tone-on-tone or with a pop of a delicate hue underneath.	Military Chic  Think military dress uniforms.   Hues of navy, gold, red, or tan are best in pulling it off, but be sure to keep a feminine  touch.   A white frilled button-up blouse  or peplum jacket  with delicate details such as braiding,  brass buttons,  or epaulettes  create the essence of this look. Long leather boots  complete the outfit, or add a touch of shine with metallic leggings  instead.	Tunics  and Trousers  Always stylish  and flattering,  these are the season's favourite trends.  The simplicity of the tunic shape  allows for more dramatic materials, from soft leather  to bold plaid.   Make sure the tunic does not fall below mid-thigh.  It should wear like the length of a mini!   Pick trousers  to complement, but always suiting to your shape.  Choose from ankle-length  to flare  or skinny leg.	Tomato Red  This colour takes you everywhere, from 9-5 and 5-9.  Replace your white shirt  with red at the office.  Or all you really need to make a statement is one stand-out scarlet accessory.     Tomato red  works well in the evening in metallics or on glittery mini dresses.   It also pairs beautifully with glossy jet black.	Paisley  and Fringe  A solid background lets the beauty of paisley print  shine through. Keep the folk look  with bold yet natural hues.  Skinny leather belts  and silky fringe  are the key details to note in this trend.

Prim  and Polished  Silk  and satin  are back it's time to celebrate. Wear a silk headscarf  traditionally or tie into a neckerchief  for a feminine detail. A silk blouse  or satin skirt  add a touch of luxe  to any outfit.  Remember to have your scarf,  belt,  purse,  and gloves  at all times!	Tartan  Multiple checks form the hottest new look. Vivid plaids,  shot through with bright jewel tones,  give the trend a youthful spin.  You can mix and match  a tartan blazer,  dress,  skirt,  pant,  or blouse.   But stick to a common colour.	Lovely Lace  Lacy details  give black a sophisticated edge.  Lace pieces  can be layered for double the impact.  To modernise this look, cross with zips  or team with leather.   Hold off on the accessories!  Lace  gives any look enough of a decorative feel.	Soft Goth  This is goth,  but with glamour.   A maxi length and high neck  are elongated throughout the style.  So ditch any thoughts of a mini. Off-the-shoulder  ruffles and chiffon  layers have a dark and romantic  appeal.	Super Structures  Angular details  make for a shapely approach.  With spiky shoulders  and sleeves, keep the lower half of you simple.  Origami folds  are the new alternative to ruffles,  and you want all emphasis to be on this detail of the ensemble.    Metallic shimmer  enhances these new and exaggerated cuts.

Peek A Boo Reveal and conceal, ladies. A key-hole cut-out  is the perfect detail in any outfit looking for that subtle attention.  If the cut-out is at the breastbone, please do not wear a bra.	Fabulous Fur  A chic and flexible alternative to the winter coat.  Try a fur gillet  and woollen sweater  for the ultimate warmth.  Fur trim  is a subtle way to try out this trend.   To complete a look of hippie glamour, find long haired furs with fringe or shaggy furs.	Sexy Sheer  Master the art of lightweight layering.  Sheer clothing  should be worn with other layers in the winter.  Consider covering the right places.  Though black is the classic sheer, hues like navy and forest green are chic alternatives.	Couture  Appeal Bows,  embellishments,  and embroidery  keep it fancy.  Think extravagantly feminine.  The colours will match.  Nudes, creams, and golds give an air of subtlety.	The New Skirt  Full-bodied, mid-calf, and versatile. Try this skirt in silk or satin paired with a tee  and leather jacket  for a contemporary edge.  Opt for a heavier fabric like wool.   With a checked shirt  and tan boots,  you can have a more retro feel.

The Little Black Dress  Give a classic piece a trendy edge. Mini  and strapless  is a great new way to spice up this dress.  Also try knee-length  and one-shouldered.   Bring back the classics - stilettos  and diamonds  in large doses!	Costume Jewellery  Supersize your collection. Chunky beads,  giant cuffs,  and bold neck pieces are it.  The bigger the better.  Pile on heaps of chains  or bangles  to make an impact.	Baby Bags  Not just for an evening out  anymore.  As a new status  piece, in this case the smaller and more fanciful, the better.  Perspex boxes,  frilled leather,  and pompoms  top the purse trends.	Courier Satchels  Give this accessory a chic upgrade. Try a fabric such as a fine leather  for a sophisticated look.  Or match your bag  to your outfit! Wear the strap long and rest the bag on your hip for a youthful and trendy silhouette.	Great Gloves  A winter  must-have, with so many options. Experiment with bold colours  or a glossy black leather glove.   The fashionable length is halfway up the forearm.  The 80's have returned (yikes!) with the fingerless glove.   Have fun with this one!

Fun Flats  Now acceptable for day and night! Flats  and slippers  this season are full of jewels  to really make a statement.  Brogues  are the perfect fit for the season's boyish trousers.	Booty  Call These boots are made for, um, walking. Tall boots  now ditch the heel for a comfortable flat boot.   Pair knee-length and over-the-knee styles with a mini to show off your legs.  Soft suede  styles in pale hues are the feminine choice.	Ankle Boots  The season's most sought-after accessory.   Sexier than the knee-high,  these boots cut away the ankle without weighing down the figure.  Decorative designs  score fashion points!	Dramatic Lids  Lengthy lashes are bold and beautiful.  Celebrities are batting their eyes with false eyelashes  in dark and bright colours.  Smoky eyes  are still in and sexier than ever.	Red Lips  Make way for the lady in red. Everyone is doing it, from London to L.A.  The key to pulling off this trend is to go light on the facial makeup  so that the red lipstick  really pops.  But be careful; you don't want to look like a clown.

Related Guides

Accessories	Eco-Fashion	Figure-Flattering Clothes For Women	Women's Clothing Designers	Women's Fashion Trends

External Links

• Vogue.co.uk - For fashion news daily, catwalk photos, fashion trends, and designer looks.
• ElleUK.com - Your stop for daily fashion, shopping, beauty and celebrity style news.
• Glamour.com - Fashion, beauty, health, and sex advice.
• Cosmopolitan.co.uk - Articles on fashion, beauty, sex, and relationships.
• Allure.com - Everything you could need to know about beauty.