It’s well into January, and the winter weather is brewing—which makes it pretty tough to figure out what to wear!
But, don’t worry—whether you’re headed to a swanky dinner party, a night on the town, or an office shindig, we’ve got you covered with some amazing outfit inspiration from our favorite style bloggers. Try these six winter ensembles that’ll make you look like a million bucks—without spending even close to it (every item we chose is under $100!).
The Upscale Soiree
Maegan from …love Maegan pulls off a simple, elegant look with a siren red dress paired with classic black thigh highs and ornate Old Hollywood accessories. The rounded cat-eye sunglasses, ruffled bag, suede heels, and diamond drop earrings give a retro-romantic twist to a traditional black tie affair. Paired with neutral makeup (you don’t want anything to compete with that red dress!), this outfit is perfect for a sophisticated dinner party or winter wedding.
Get the Look: earrings — red dress — heels
The Casual Gathering
Just because the invite says casual—whether it’s a family get-together, a weekend getaway, or just hanging out with friends—doesn’t mean you have to take your style down a notch. Blair from Atlantic-Pacific combines texture, classic black and white, and bright red lips to make her outfit equal parts no-fuss, edgy, and chic.
To get her look, pair a super-long (and super comfy!) knit sweater with a structured coat or blazer (I’m digging this mustard hue), throw on black leggings and your go-to flats, and accessorize with a collar necklace and oversized sunnies.
Get the Look: necklace — coat — slouch sweater — leggings — slipper flats
The Cocktail Party
Cocktail parties are my favorite—what other excuse do you have to wear a beyond-fabulous dress? This solid purple one has classic Audrey Hepburn appeal, and I love how Liz from Late Afternoon pairs hers with a leather jacket for an unexpected rocker edge.
Jewel tones are the perfect way to brighten up the blah winter season, so try pairing your ensemble with a pop of cranberry, emerald, or peacock blue. The square tortoise shades, diamond bib necklace, and ruffled loop scarf give a vintage vibe and just the right amount of glitz for a posh uptown party.
Get the Look: leather jacket — bib necklace — dress — circle scarf — heels
The Late-Night Bash
Spending a chilly night out on the town? The frigid, unpredictable winter weather calls for a pair of thick tights and a fabulous fur vest—and a night out in the city calls for taking a fashion risk. Chiara from The Blonde Salad takes hers by pairing brights with sophisticated black (I like to add the bright hue to my lips, too). Pull your hair up in a sleek bun to keep it looking good, come rain, snow, or sleet.
Get the Look: top — vest — leather skirt — tights — heeled boots
The Post-Office Party
Happy hour gives you a chance to let loose with your co-workers after a long week (while still keeping it classy, of course!). So take the same approach with your outfit (like Anh from 9 to 5 Chic): Be playful in a bold-colored dress, but stick to classic cuts like a long-sleeved tunic that’s not too short. For the office, wear opaque tights and a sophisticated camel-colored cape. Then, when you’re headed out, add a chunky necklace, colorblock pumps, and sky-high sunglasses. The finishing touch: a swipe of pretty pink gloss!
Get the Look: cape — necklace — dress — tights — heels
The Weekend Shopping Spree
Weekend attire should always be comfy-cool, and Kimberly from Eat.Sleep.Wear. has the look down to a T. She pairs knits with flowy fabrics to keep things easy and chic, and keeps her toes extra toasty with a pair of ankle socks worn over tights. Try pairing neutrals with berry, melon, or orange accessories and makeup, and you’ll add just the right touch of sweetness and sass.
Get the Look: scarf — sweater — skirt — satchel — tights — boots
A huge thank-you to the wonderful fashion bloggers featured in this post, for allowing us to use their photos and get inspiration from their impeccable tastes!
Molly works in Indianapolis as a fashion blogger for Scarves Dot Net. When she’s not creating looks for less, she loves a healthy dose of retail therapy, getting creative in the kitchen, and spending time with her crazy (yet lovable) family. Follow her on Pinterest and Twitter @mtborter.
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