You did it, diva! You made it through back-to-back holiday parties and Christmas card photos and an absolutely brutal New Year’s Eve hangover. Now, it’s time to curl up in sweatpants and never leave the house… Just kidding! (If only life were that easy.)
Yes, the holiday season is technically over, but there are still plenty of parties and dinner dates and nights out in your future (shoutout Capricorns). Thankfully, though, the stakes aren’t nearly as high post-December. January dressing focusses on insulation and dopamine rather than festive glitz and glam. Basically, this is your call to tap into that collection of scarves, sweaters, puffer coats, ear muffs, and all things cozy.
Need a few ideas? Well, you’ve come to the exact right place. Just keep reading and get ready to screenshot.
A Bold Puffer and Ear Muffs
My New Year’s resolution is to better utilize my favorite pair of fluffy ear muffs. When used right, this oft slept-on accessory can fully make an outfit—and ya, they’re warm as f*ck, too.
A Chic Wrap
Scarf coats were the unofficial cool girl outerwear item of 2025 (I literally wrote a whole story about them) and that energy is staying strong through 2026.
Leather and Fur
Take a step into my office—and by that I mean my walk-in closet, because this combo is my absolute favorite. Fur and leather (yes, including faux) are two of the warmest fabrics money can buy—and they also just so happen to look chic as hell together.
Crimson and Zebra Print
Crimson is having a moment this season. Turn the volume on the already-loud shade by styling it with zebra print, leopard print—pretty much any bold animal print in your closet.
A Hoodie and Cargos
It’s always a good day when I get to wear a hoodie to The Function™️. Style yours with baggy cargo pants and futuristic sunglasses for a casual-cool kind of vibe.
Khaki and Snakeskin
No, trench coat season is not over. If you’re looking for a new way to wear fashion’s favorite coat, I recommend throwing on a statement belt and adding a bit of faux snakeskin.
A Head Scarf
For some reason, all the girlies are wrapping scarves around their heads this season, instead of reaching for a beanie. And I must admit, it does look pretty chic.
’70s Vibes
Most people don’t know that faux fur coats can actually tap into a huge range of aesthetics—including the retro, Studio 54 look. Styled with flare jeans and big costume jewelry, your most-worn fur coat will feel so fresh.
White-Washed Neutrals
I don’t need to make the case for blacks and browns, so allow me to shed some light on a more underrated color combo: ashy grays and soft creams. The color story looks so dreamy with matching light-washed jeans.
Grungy Layers
Fall favorites, like flannel shirts, quarter-zip sweaters, and bomber jackets can all be layered to cozy winter perfection. Don’t forget the cozy accessories!
A Big Coat and Big Glasses
When fashion week rolls around and I’ve decided I hate my entire wardrobe, this is the combination I reach for. It’s virtually effortless, but looks so intentional.
A Button-Down and Track Pants
You’ll never catch me hating on lounge pants—’tis the season, after all. But it is still important to get dressed up every once in a while, if only for the dopamine rush. Do both, by styling a button-down over striped track pants.
A Silk Skirt and Blazer
Silk skirts mostly hibernate after the month of October, but on the rare days when the temp spikes, pull yours out of retirement. Just add an oversized blazer and jumbo handbag for a CEO-coded winter work look.
A Long Fur Coat (That’s It)
As the TikTok trend says, “If your fur coat isn’t dusting the sidewalks of New York City, it’s not long enough”—and to an extent, that’s absolutely right. A bitchy faux fur will make you feel glamorous, even on your most bleh days.
A Leopard Coat and Jeans
This is mostly just a reminder to myself that I need to re-invest in a leopard coat. (Getting rid of mine is one of my life’s biggest regrets.)
Kelsey (she/her) is a freelance digital fashion editor and writer with a knack for turning top-performing content into top-selling content. She has extensive experience in editorial and e-commerce strategy, having worked in both divisions during her years at Seventeen and Bustle. With more than a decade of experience in digital media, she also offers creative and social media consulting, as well as copywriting services. She enjoys cheeseburgers, traveling, and vintage hauls. Follow her on Instagram at @klstieg.