Winter Style for People Who Refuse to Look Miserable
Gloves, belts, brooches, and one hedgehog bag — the accessories that actually matter.
I spent seventy minutes commuting across Manhattan today — holiday traffic, honking, wind tunnels, the usual December romance — and somewhere between West Village and Upper East, I noticed something both funny and a little bleak: in winter, we all dress exactly the same.
Long black puffer.
Black or charcoal wool coat.
Black beanie.
Black boots.
A city-wide clone army of black coats and sensible boots, shuffling from subway to office to holiday errands.
At one point, a gust of wind almost lifted a woman straight off the sidewalk — a full Mary Poppins moment — and even she, mid-flight, looked like everyone else. Sensible, padded, sturdy. New York’s unofficial winter uniform.
And listen, I get it. I’m not here to tell you to buy a “better” coat or a more fashionable pair of boots. I’m not even going to talk about basics or denim. The best part of this entire letter is that you can wear your favorite lounge set underneath — peak nap-readiness — and still look like someone with a point of view.
Winter style, for me, similarly to my winter rituals, is about being cozy, in an intentional, and, where possible, even playful, kind of way.
When 90% of you is buried under layers, the remaining 10% becomes disproportionately influential. Your headgear, gloves, scarf, and shoes do more talking than your actual clothes. Adjust those elements just a little, and the whole look reads differently.
So let’s talk about a few easy ways to make winter layers feel like a real outfit.
A Pop of Color to lighten up the mood
There’s something about winter that makes people dress to match the sky. The darker the days, the darker the clothes. You can almost track daylight savings by the number of black coats that appear on a single subway car.
I love black outerwear as much as anyone, but when the mood dips — and December moods do dip — I find myself craving color. All we need is one saturated note somewhere in the frame: a deep red scarf, a plum headband, a green glove, a cherry-toned sock peeking between a loafer (bold move in this weather) and hem.
It’s less about “adding interest” and more about adding a warming element that doubles as a mood shifter. Win-win. Color tells your brain: sunlight still exists. Not all hope is lost.
And if you’re feeling truly playful, keep reading — I have thoughts on hedgehog bags.
The Accessory Hierarchy: Where Style Actually Lives in Winter
Summer dressing begins with the body; winter dressing starts with the shell. That’s why good accessories are essential if you don’t want to look dull or gloomy.
Gloves are the quickest fix. They make a coat look styled instead of… there.
Tights and socks do more work than we give them credit for. Sheer black, ribbed neutrals, a bold red knee-high — tiny choices that completely change the feel of a look.
We all know the usual headgear lineup: beanies, headbands, earmuffs. Cute. Reliable. A little uninspired.
Detachable hoods, though? Genuinely useful. They update a coat, they’re rainproof, and they give the whole look a sharper edge.
And no, I’m not doing a scarf roundup. Scarves are obvious, and they add bulk we don’t need. Instead, here are a few cleaner neck-warming upgrades that work without overwhelming your coat.
The Unexpected Details That Change Everything
A belt over a black wool coat is an instant upgrade. It creates a waist, a mood, a silhouette you didn’t know the coat had. Ten years old? Doesn’t matter. The belt does all the talking. Now picture this mustard belt-bag layered on top — that’s the styling moment.
And brooches — please bring back brooches. They’re the most elegant micro-expression of style: small enough to feel personal, but striking enough to be noticed. Pin one on the lapel of your coat, on a scarf, or even on the cuff of a sleeve. It sends a message: I’m doing winter better than you. I have a beautifully decorated Christmas tree. My home smells like hot cider made with A-list liquor and hand-squeezed organic apple juice from the Alps.
Bonus Corner: I shall save you from talking about the weather; now you can talk about your hedgehog
Because here’s the truth: winter flattens our playfulness. We go out as if on a survival mission, and we dress the part. Everything becomes functional, padded, heat-retaining, serious. Which I fully support, there’s nothing I dislike more than being cold. However, the seriousness can be turned down a notch. I love the unexpected silliness of an animal-shaped bag, something that feels like a wink in a season that can feel humorless.
A hedgehog bag, a squirrel bag (I wish — iykyk), an Onigiri bag — these are mood enhancers disguised as accessories. They don’t need to be practical; they just need to spark joy when the sun sets at 4:30 p.m. And they’ll help you avoid talking about the wind and temperature drop for the twenty-first time that day. So, you know… you’re welcome.
That’s it for today. Let me know which one of these you’d like to add to your wardrobe.
Keep warm, stay joyful! <3