I’ve been wearing the same jeans-&-a-sweater for the past several weeks straight, and I could use a little sartorial pick-me-up.
Enter: Saks’ January sales events. Not only does Saks have a drool-worthy selection of designer goods on sale, but now through 1/13, select items are marked up to 20% off when you spend $500, or 15% off when you spend $250, too (use code: GET20SF).
Saks has the best denim selection on the planet (says me), so I started my search there but quickly got distracted by the sweaters. Good grief. On sale now are tons of cozy sweaters that also happen to be interesting (think: unique details, great prints, gorgeous texture).
So, I started my usual game of paper dolls and put together a few outfits styled around my favorite pieces. The results are these seven very practical winter outfit ideas — there’s not a cold head or exposed leg in the bunch. These are outfits you can, in fact, wear in your everyday cold-weather life. But thanks to Saks’ bananas-good sale section…these outfits are exciting too.
A Week’s Worth Of Winter Outfits From Saks: Cozy, Warm & Bananas Cute
The happy surprise, however, was that once I got past the jeans and sweaters…I realized that the biggest gems in this sale event are handbags and winter accessories. And coats!! If you happen to still be looking for a fun, statement winter coat, well…you’re in luck.
Bottom line? This article is trouble.
Winter Outfit Idea 1: Mixed Fair Isle Prints + Bootcut Jeans
I’ve long been a fan of mixing prints, but I was today years old when I realized one can mix and match the same print. Same rules apply: Vary the scale (big/little) and make sure they have at least one color in common.
A few notes: The duffle shape of the bag is roomier than it looks — I can stuff mittens and hats into my similarly shaped bag. The cropped style of the puffer jacket makes it very versatile, and can we all swoon over the nostalgia of that vintage-inspired Ralph Lauren print sweater? Love it. Lastly, I keep coming back to these white sneakers — I don’t know the brand, but these shoes have a decidedly iconic look. (And I’d pair them with regular white socks to keep my ankles warm.)
Winter Outfit Idea 2: Hiking-Inspired Boots + Straight-Leg Jeans
Proportion is the key to this outfit: The jeans are cropped, which properly shows off the boots, and they work with the longer coat. When I get bored with my outfits, I like to throw in some long-short proportion play, and voila! Effortless and cool.
A few notes: That Anine Bing coat looks black but is actually the most gorgeous shade of chocolate brown. And I will never be over backpacks. This North Face bag is both rugged and chic. Lastly, note the detail at the waist of this cropped sweater — SO GOOD.
Winter Outfit Idea 3: A Turtleneck + A Graphic Tee
This is one of my favorite styling tricks in winter! Graphic tees can make an outfit more interesting, but not if they’re covered up by a sweater. Put them front and center by layering them over a basic turtleneck (bonus points for that emerald-green shade).
Notes: That gorgeous faux-fur jacket from SAM. is the exact same style that I have, just a different color. It’s SHOCKINGLY warm. So, yeah, it looks like a fashion jacket, but it’s actually really technical — an especially great buy on sale. Next, I’m a sucker for Hudson Bay anything (my dad’s side is Canadian), and those iconic stripes (hat, mittens) are a hallmark of the brand. The rag & bone messenger bag is bananas-soft, and that Re/Done T-shirt has a baby-tee kind of fit, which means that I can tuck mine into high-rise jeans beautifully. Which is what you want when the high-rise jeans have such a sexy yoke-waist detail.
Winter Outfit Idea 4: Cowboy Boots + Faux Shearling + Long, Loose Jeans
Ummmm…this outfit might be my favorite. To style: Pull the jeans over the cowboy boots, OR tuck the jeans into the boots, OR loosely cuff the jeans and show off the boots. That’s the best thing about shorter cowboy boots — they’re easier to work with.
1 | 2 (similar) | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7
Notes: With the exception of the hat (a classic), every single one of these pieces has seriously cool details. And be sure to click through to see how these jeans fit. Spoiler: slouchy perfection.
Winter Outfit Idea 5: Subtly Sexy Red + Tan
Obviously I had a Valentine’s Day outfit in mind…but to make red a little more subtle-sexy rather than in-your-face sexy, I like to pair red with tan accessories, instead of black. It freshens the look a bit.
Notes: That Free People bodysuit comes in a ton of colors and is wildly sexy on. Julieta has it and — I think — uses toupee tape to keep it closed, but I like the idea of a lacy little bodysuit peeking out too. The bag is Loefflar Randall, and I like the dual straps. Those rag & bone bootcut jeans have such a good ’70s wash — it pairs especially well with bright colors. Lastly, when in doubt, go monochrome.
Winter Outfit Idea 6: Flared Leggings + An Aprés-Ski Vibe
This is the sort of outfit I wear the most often, but, admittedly, my version (black leggings, black sweater) is wayyy more boring. I like this twist on my usual.
Notes: No idea how warm those quilted snow boots are, but they look legit and were made in Italy, which explains why they look So. Darn. Cool. And, yes, that is a SAM. jacket again (if it ain’t broke), and I’ve been using denim bags to make my all-black outfits more interesting. That one also comes in a big tote too, if interested.
Winter Outfit Idea 7: Layered Coats + Clog Booties + Flare Jeans
For a fun, fresh look, try layering a coat over a denim jacket. Wool coats, faux-fur, shearling and even leather coats all work. Add cozy accessories (and a thin cashmere sweater underneath), and the look is surprisingly warm too.
Notes: I can’t get over how expensive that jean jacket by Free People looks! And those flare jeans are DL1961, with that sculpted waistband I find so flattering and comfortable (click through to see them on the model — you’ll see what I mean). Lastly, that red cashmere sweater cracked me up — anyone else?
Here’s to staying warm, looking cute.
Xo,
S
A huge thank you to Saks Fifth Avenue for sponsoring this post! As always, all thoughts, opinions and product choices are my own. And, readers, thank you for your continued support. It doesn’t go unnoticed and is so very much appreciated.