Looking for winter 2024 fashion trends to tide you over these gloomy months? You're in the right place.
We know that as temperatures nosedive, we often find ourselves reaching for the same old combination of sweats and puffers. And who could blame us? Chilly mornings certainly aren't conducive to standing in front of our closets in our underwear deliberating on an outfit. Thankfully, 2024's top winter fashion trends are so good, they've inspired me to get out of my style rut. After all, what better reason to get up and brace the cold than a gorgeous new winter coat?
On the autumn/winter 2024 runway trends, certain prints and patterns prowled the catwalks, and many brands continued to put a vintage spin on looks, specifically a throwback to the ‘40s to ’60s.
“Fashion month was steeped in nostalgia, with many brands harking back to the iconic styles of the ‘40s – a pivotal era that birthed the fashion show and witnessed a significant boom in the industry,” shares Net-A-Porter’s market director Libby Page.
We've also loved how wearable most looks were that were sent down the catwalk – as designers seemed to embrace practical dressing. There are, of course, quirky accessory trends (hello, fuzzy footwear!) too that we can't wait to try out now that it's *actually* freezing.
Some winter trends come back around every season. Puffer jackets, for example, are a must to survive the bitter British cold, and brands this season have put a fashion-forward spin on them from cropped styles to fun colours. Speaking of colours, what better way to brighten up a dreary day than with a rainbow jumper, of which there are plenty on the rails, and we're also loving the return of long, sultry gloves to jazz up an outfit.
So what will all be bundling up in as we ring in 2025? Here are the winter fashion trends we're wearing into the new year.
For more from Glamour UK's Fashion Editor Rosana Lai, follow her on Instagram @rosielai.
1. Extra padding
Down jackets are not usually the first thing that comes to mind when you think of a stylish coat, but this season's designer puffer jackets might just change your mind. Cropped and belted or covered in a print, there's nothing dull about the down jackets on offer this winter. We're partial to Haider Ackermann's gorpcore-chic collab with Canada Goose and Skim's latest slope-ready jackets with North Face.
2. Cool florals
Florals? For spring? Not-so groundbreaking. But the florals this winter are a different story. Splattered on quilts (Erdem), asymmetrical mini dresses (Marine Serre), and sharply tailored dresses (Altuzzara), there's nothing prissy about these prints. With darker undertones and reimagined on anything but a frilly frock, these floral prints are for cool weather and even cooler girls.
Knitwear is a staple in a winter wardrobe, but this season they've been doused in colour — not just one, or two, but every colour of the rainbow, and we're here for it. A colour-splashed jumper can brighten up an otherwise monochromatic look, or can be styled all out with highlighter-hued accessories. Colour has been scientifically proven to have mood-boosting benefits, so call it a sartorial dose of vitamin ‘C’.
4. Cape craze
“Brands like Chloé, Bally and Toteme presented chic capes that invited women to embrace elegance,” says Libby. “For this season, look to invest in capes ranging from daytime coats which feel very 70’s to evening capes and boleros which feel more ladylike and vintage.” The cape craze has been bubbling for a few seasons, but reached peak popularity in winter 2024, gracing almost every catwalk with graphic prints as seen at Missoni or with flirty collars like at Altuzzara. Extra brownie points for a trend that keeps us warm!
We've talked extensively about the naked dress trend on the red carpet this year and summer saw loads of racy lacy looks, but the sheer trend shows no signs of slowing for winter. In fact, the nudes and whites of summer have been swapped with long, black dresses, worn with just a tiny black belt as styled at Valentino, or with an oversized coat and feathery shoes at Ferragamo. We're calling it now: sheer black dresses will be the unofficial dress code of chic fashion girlies this Christmas.
6. Mad for plaid
We love seeing how designers reinterpret the winter staple each year, and this season's styles certainly didn't disappoint. Checked print has been plastered over cool yet cosy pieces like a long pleated skirt at Burberry and coordinating knit set at Helmut Lang. Even world's hottest brand Loewe blew up the print on a slinky turtleneck gown. “Looks from Chemena Kamali’s stunning debut at Chloé as well as Jonathan Anderson’s Loewe used plaid to show how the British countryside has inspired their collections, evoking a sense of rural charm,” says Libby. “Tartan and check prints, particularly in miniskirts, also featured prominently throughout the shows.”
Just because the leaves have all turned brown, doesn't mean our wardrobe palette has to. Thankfully, the winter 2024 runways provided a ton of colourful outfit inspo. Molly Goddard offered her signature flouncy silhouettes in highlighter hues of red, pinks and yellow, while Miu Miu's runway was a lesson in colour clashing, pairing unexpected tones like neon green with mustard and baby pink. If three is two too many colours, stick to one and make it tonal.
8. Fuzzy footwear
Not so long ago, textured bags were all over our feeds, with everyone from celebs to influencers tucking shearling clutches under their arms like tiny toy poodles. Now, it's our footwear's turn to get the fuzzy treatment, with everyone from Erdem to Carven turning their high heels into Havapoos. Blink and you might think two fur babies are scuttling next to the wearer's feet. We're partial to Ferragamo's fluttery stilettos made extra dramatic by the floaty feathers.
Corporate dressing has a bad rap, but the crisp grey tailoring this season is making us do a double-take. From sharply-cut herringbone blazers to low-waist pleated skirts, we're loving the preppy take on the office looks that are more pretty than prescriptive. Also, grey is incredibly versatile and can be styled with navy, black or brown. Add a pop of red or orange and hear the outfit sing. Plus, it'll pair well with Mocha Mousse, Pantone's 2025 Colour of the Year.
10. Go for gloves
Last year football scarves were the winter accessory to know, but this cosy season, we're smitten with mittens. Long gloves have been spotted all over street style during Paris Fashion Week, offering us high-fashion styling options that also keep our digits warm. Use it to add a hint of contrasting colour, or as an extension to a monochromatic outfit. Let your hands do the talking!
And let's be realistic… we'll be living in number 8.
