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Winter is a decidedly un-sexy time. Your skin is dry, your hair is staticky, and your favorite floor-length puffer coat can be a real vibe killer, which means what you wear under it is of the utmost importance. You need clothes that will make you feel stylish, put-together, and—yes, sexy. And this season, the buzziest fashion trends appear to have been designed specifically for that reason.
Sexiness is a major theme across categories, with many of this year’s trends falling squarely into the category of “things you’d wear naked in front of a roaring fire.” Leopard print accessories and voluminous (faux) fur coats will bring an air of touchable opulence to your cold-weather wardrobe. Meanwhile, sultry shades of burgundy will make even the simplest silhouette feel just a little more elevated and—dare I say it?—sensual.
Though we’ve dropped the “quiet” aspect, “luxury” is still very much winter’s aesthetic du jour—and nearly everything on your seasonal shopping list is going to reflect this. In the accessory space, for example, all the biggest trends were pulled straight from the closet of the richest girl you know. Luxe options, like suede boots, XL designer clutches, and expensive-looking mixed metal jewelry will give your favorite cold-weather basics a much-needed air of extravagance.
Bella Gerard, shopping and trend advisor at Rakuten, says fashion’s current thirst for extravagance is a way to combat the harsh season. “Many find themselves leaning towards luxury in the winter months as a response to dreary weather,” she tells InStyle. “Dressing up can provide a boost of serotonin.”
And provide they do. Ahead, Gerard breaks down the most sumptuous winter 2024 fashion trends the industry has to offer—all of which are guaranteed to make you feel like a million bucks.
Luxe Leopard Print
Gerard rightly notes that “leopard print is one of those things that will always be in style.” However, she adds: “The ways in which we like to style it shift year after year.” In 2024, specifically, we’re seeing a rise in spotted accessories, like boots, bags, belts, and gloves, as well as an influx of flamboyant coats.
Conveniently, the trend styles magnificently with another trend that’s rapidly growing: espresso brown. “This season, we’re swapping black for shades of brown,” Gerard says. “Leopard and brown are a match made in heaven.”
Mixed Metals
Though fashion girlies—myself particularly—have been on a silver kick the last few seasons, gold is, once again, making inroads in the jewelry space. That said, its counterpart isn’t going anywhere—in fact, this winter, it’s all about stacking on both metallics at once. “More than ever, mixed metals are taking over the jewelry world. Even folks who were once devout to just gold or only silver have begun mixing and matching,” Gerard said.
All the buzziest jewelry brands (think: Mejuri, Heaven Mayhem, and Jenny Bird) are releasing two-tone styles of their own. But if you’re looking to save, consider stacking up gold and silver pieces you already own—it’ll make your most worn pieces feel brand new.
Suede Everything
In the mid-2010s, suede was splashed across jackets, bags, and footwear (remember the Peter Pan boot craze?). In the years since, however, it’s partially fallen off in favor of croc print and patent leather. Seemingly overnight, the trend hit fashion like a wave and is now trending industry-wide.
High-Fashion Clogs
It’s no coincidence that the last few pairs of shoes I’ve added to my closet have been statement clogs (highly recommend these polka-dot beauties from Marc Jacobs). The slip-on shoe style is set to rank as one of winter’s most popular, alongside fashion’s loafer kick and the annual winter boot revival. And designers industry-wide are rising to the occasion. “We’re seeing brands get more creative with cozy footwear,” Gerard explains. “Leader in the space UGG debuted cozy clogs with a retro platform heel, and brands like Tory Burch are creating silhouettes of their own.”
Black Cherry
You’d be hard-pressed to find a shade of red that isn’t trending for winter 2025, but even so, black cherry holds the crown. The rich colorway has dominated seasonal collections, taking a starring role in the footwear and handbag space, specifically.
“Hues like burgundy, oxblood, and wine always gain traction in the colder months,” says Gerard. “Think of black cherry as this year’s framing. Just like other iterations of this shade, it’s a gorgeous color that suits all skin tones, ideal for spicing up simpler styling moments.” Compared to daring hues like butter yellow and crimson, this saturated color feels especially wearable. “Any time you plan to wear all-black, swap the piece for something similar in black cherry to give your ’fit a bit more intrigue,” she said.
Leather Bomber Jackets
If you were to take a look through Hailey Bieber’s coat closet, it would likely be 70 percent bomber jackets—and the rest of us will soon follow. The functional, yet chic, outerwear trend was all over Fall/Winter runways and has since trickled down to nearly every popular retailer (H&M makes an incredible padded version!).
“Just as barn jackets tone things down, certain outerwear silhouettes are ideal for doing the exact opposite,” Gerard says—and these oversized toppers are meant to do just that. They’re an elevated take on the casual-cool streetwear staple.
Wide-Leg Flares
The other day, while digging through my denim drawer, I realized it now contains only wide-leg flares. The style has been slowly taking over and, come wintertime, will officially bump barrel jeans from fashion’s top spot. Jennifer Lopez is a big fan of the silhouette, as well as Selena Gomez and Katie Holmes. The latter are both obsessed with one specific Banana Republic pair, but options are shoppable at pretty much any denim brand you can think of—Reformation is my personal favorite.