The chill has started to set in here in New York City and that means that it is time to find ways to bundle up while still looking fabulous. Honestly, it can be done!

I grew up in the northeast and I’ve spent nearly a decade of winters in NYC specifically, so I promise you can trust me when I share my top winter fashion tips.

Temperatures in the city can often drop into the twenties and teens in the winter months and with the wind chill (amplified because of all of the skyscrapers) it can get NIPPY to say the least.

I’ve learned a lot over the years about outfits that will actually keep you warm and looks that might seem like a good idea in theory, but in reality can leave you stressed and shivering which we don’t want!

Whether you are looking for ways to still be chic and stylish or you’re ready to give in fully to the cozy aesthetic and hide under your jacket, I have some outfits to serve as inspiration for dressing warmly for NYC winters.

1. Faux Fur Collar Coat and Velvet Pants

This will probably go down as one of my all-time favorite outfits of all time. I got this coat from ASOS and I can confidently say that a statement coat is one of my favorite ways to have fun with winter fashion. I paired this with a pair of black velvet pants and layered a turtleneck underneath. I decided to have fun with accessories and opted for a pink bucket bag and some sparkly hair clips.

2. Bright Puffer and Fuzzy Bucket Hat

For New York Fashion Week, I always like to go all out and when I saw this pink puffer jacket on Nuuly I knew I needed to rent it for the shows. I kept the rest of the outfit simple, pairing black pleated pants with a mock croc purse and black ankle boots. The coat was super warm and had enough room to wear a turtleneck underneath and still have room.

3. Faux Fur Coat with Bright Accessories

I remember eyeing this gray faux fur coat when I was working at Free People and finally caved and bought it. I think a faux fur jacket in a neutral color is a great way to add more texture and warmth to your winter wardrobe. In typical New Yorker fashion I paired it with black skinny jeans and black patent ankle boots, but to make the ‘fit a bit more playful I added a bright beanie and a red crossbody bag.

4. Long Coat with Tie and Tights

One of the best tips I can share about staying warm is to find a jacket that covers your butt and better yet goes down to your knees. The main pushback I hear about this silhouette is that it’s not super flattering, but find one with a tie so you can cinch it at your waist. I also wore fleece-lined tights here in front of the Christmas tree at the Palace Hotel (a must-see if you’re visiting NYC during the holidays), my white fuzzy bucket hat, and a red crossbody bag for a festive touch.

5. Oversized Puffer Jacket and Knee High Boots

Not only do I love the shape and silhouette of this puffer jacket, but I also love the color—and I was proud of myself for scheduling a matcha catch up with Francesca on this day so I could match my cup. This light green really helps brighten and refresh otherwise simple winter outfits. Since this jacket hits just below my butt, I decided to pair it with knee-high boots to keep the proportions balanced. I also layered a super comfy gray cardigan underneath for additional warmth.

6. Cropped Flare Jeans with Mid-Calf Boots

If you like the look of cuffed or cropped denim, you don’t have to abandon those beloved pieces just because it’s cold—pair them with a mid-calf boot to close the gap. Want to be extra toasty? Put on tights first! I decided to lean into a color palette for this outfit and paired a pink striped sweater with a light pink jacket and purse.

7. Long-Line Jacket and Thin Turtleneck

When you have a long-line jacket that does such a great job of protecting your body from the wind, you can afford to go a little bit lighter on the layers. Rather than trying to squeeze a thick turtleneck under a coat like this, go for a thin one and add a Uniqlo Heattech top underneath. Another way to keep this look sleek is to add patent leather boots and a cashmere beanie.

8. Wrap Coat with Lug Sole Boots

Patterned outerwear is a great way to make a statement but if you want to keep this look classic, opt for black and white houndstooth jacket. This was a monochrome look for me so I once again opted for my trusty black skinny jeans and for an extra bit of warmth wore my knee-high lug sole boots.

9. Aviator Jacket and Mini Skirt

For anyone who still wants to wear a fun and flirty mini skirt in the winter months, I am not here to stop you. But be sure to break out the fleece-lined tights for this one! I love the look of an aviator jacket and because it is such a thick fabric it will definitely keep your top half toasty. Here I paired this look with a crossbody bag and black ankle boots.

10. Fuzzy Winter Coat and Black Ankle Boots

I can’t get enough of faux fur coats because not only are they very visually interesting in an outfit, but they really will keep you warm! Here I paired my jacket with cropped denim and an ankle boot again and if you look closely you can see the fleece-lined tights that I’m wearing underneath the jeans. Add in a black crossbody bag and some sunglasses and you’re set for a city chic day.

11. Graphic Sweater with Leather Mini Skirt

Want to make a statement? Choose one color to center your look around and commit to the bit. This is a rare photo where I opted for regular patterned tights because it was warm enough to do so. Also, berets are one of my all-time favorite fall/winter accessories. They still keep you warm but they’re much dressier than a beanie.

12. Teddy Coat with Cropped Trousers

Try as I might, I can’t put an outfit together without including some black, even if I make my best effort to vary up the shades in the rest of the outfit. Here I kept to the pink and red color family and mixed light pink with deeper burgundy shades for a fashion week event. You know I had to finish off the look of a turtleneck and pink trousers with a white crossbody bag and a beret.

Go-To Winter Outfit Combinations:

When in doubt, I usually turn to one of these two outfit formulas with a great jacket.

Sweater + Skinny Jeans + Ankle Boots
Dress + Fleece-Lined Tights + Tall Boots

More tips for winter dressing in NYC:

Toasty Tools

Invest in heat tech pieces from Uniqlo to layer underneath sweaters and fleece-lined tights and leggings to stay warm all over

Remember Rentals

Consider using a subscription clothing rental service during the winter months to swap out your outerwear—this lets you wear more trendy pieces without having to commit to buying them
Get $20 off your first month of Nuuly

Top It Off

Keep an eye out for accessories like gloves that are double-lined, fuzzy socks, fleece hats, and thick blanket scarves to ensure that you are extra cozy from head to toe

What other tips do you have for dressing warmly this winter? Please leave them in the comments!

yours,

Austen

Photos by: Karya Schanilec, Jessie Alcheh, Laurel Creative, Sarah Ratner + more

How To Dress Warmly in NYC This Winter