Best Winter Workwear: 8 Chic And Cosy Essentials

last updated 5 November 2018

The cold weather makes any outfit all the more difficult to plan, but workwear? It's notoriously difficult to strike the balance between cosy and chic. However, with a bit of advice from yours truly, you really can have it both ways.

Never again will you be plagued with concerns of looking like the Michelin Man after an excessive layering session. Instead, with a clever take on textures and an emphasis on heat-yielding silhouettes, follow my eight-step wardrobe plan and I promise you'll look polished and stay toasty irregardless of how cold your office becomes.

Take it from a girl who's perpetually cold—keep scrolling to discover the best winter workwear on offer this season...

1. THE BELTED COAT

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If you're constantly meeting clients on their turf you need to make the right impression from the initial handshake, which will likely be while you’re still sporting your winter coat. A belted style will always looks chic without swamping your frame—plus, they're roomy enough to house any much-needed layers underneath.

Arket

Wool Belted Coat

Mango

Belted Coat

2. THE PUSSYBOW DRESS

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Unless they're of the knitted variety, dresses aren't known for being all that cosy, but that's only because pussybows are overlooked. The bow neckline acts as a built-in scarf that'll help keep you warm— simply stick to longer hemlines and wear with statement tights.

Marks & Spencer

Animal Print Long Sleeve Dress

Zimmerman

Floral Print Pussy-Bow Dress

3. FITTED CALF BOOTS

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Sock boots are no longer reserved to ankle lengths; now, they climb up your calf, providing additional heat in the process. Seeing as they fit so close to the leg, it means you can wear them under even the most tapered trousers.

Charles & Keith

Dual Fitted Boots

John Lewis & Partners

Calf Boots

4. THE FUNNEL-NECK BLOUSE

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Instead of button-up styles, look for blouses with high necklines as they'll keep the heat in more effectively while being just as smart.

H&M

High Neck Blouse

Vero Moda

Floral High Neck Blouse

5. STRAIGHT LEATHER TROUSERS

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It's not hard to imagine why leather trousers have ended up on our list—warmer than any other strides you own, invest in a streamline pair to ensure they don't look too trendy for your workplace.

H&M

Leather Trousers

M.I.H Jeans

Daily Cropped Leather Trousers

6. THE CAMEL BLAZER

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No workwear wardrobe would be complete without a blazer, and a camel iteration is the ideal investment. The neutral shade means you can throw it overtop of anything you like and it'll still look polished. Try it and see for yourself.

Max Mara

Wool Double-Breasted Blazer

& Other Stories

Camel Blazer

7. THE KNITTED MIDI

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Take your knitwear obsession to your pins with a skirt made from the stuff—the thicker the weave, the more chill-resistant it'll be.

Alexachung

Jacquard-Knit Skirt

Zara

Knitted Midi Skirt

8. THE GREY ROLL NECK

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Much like the camel blazer, a grey roll neck is just about one of the most versatile things you can own. In fact, there's not a single thing on this list that it won't go with. Throw in the fact it's one of the warmest things you can wear and it goes way beyond essential status.

Karen Millen

Fringed Roll-Neck Jumper

Weekend MaxMara

Brando Cable Knit Roll Neck Jumper

Now your daily wares are taken care of let's sort out your office Christmas party outfit, shall we?

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Maxine Eggenberger is Who What Wear UK’s deputy editor and has over thirteen years of experience in fashion journalism. She been creating engaging and elevated style content specifically for Who What Wear UK since 2018, covering runway reports, emerging trends, long-form features, self-styled shopping stories and columns, including her edit of the best new-in buys. She ensures the highest editorial standards are met across the site, leads the editorial team in their SEO strategy and keyword planning, works closely with the beauty team on content initiatives, represents the brand at industry events, and regularly contributes to social media, including her own Who What Wear UK TikTok franchise, French Style Fridays. Previously, Maxine appeared on ITV's This Morning in her own fashion segment and has interviewed countless celebrities—everyone from Victoria Beckham to Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o.

Prior to Who What Wear UK, Maxine’s career began when, after completing her first-ever internship at Look magazine, she was offered a position on the brand's fashion desk. She accepted, leaving university a year early in the process. Her passion and natural talent for writing and styling meant she swiftly rose through the ranks to become the title's fashion news and commercial content editor, with a stint as InStyle.co.uk’s fashion and beauty writer along the way. She later served as Look’s acting Editor in Chief, overseeing both print and digital, before embarking on a successful freelance career, working with Grazia, The Pool, and Marie Claire amongst others.

Maxine is based remotely from her countryside home near Edinburgh where she spends her downtime renovating her house, walking her dogs, hosting friends and trying to master the art of making Old Fashioned cocktails.