We are in the worst of winter in NYC right now, and even though we are technically already halfway through, we have a significant stretch of winter looks before the weather turns in our favor. After the holidays, the festive parties, and the novelty of the cold has all worn off, many of us are stuck with the same pieces we've been wearing since late October to keep us warm, leading to a rather apathetic approach to getting dressed in these dark and dire times.
Most of the time, when I'm getting dressed in such conditions, my desire to do anything but stay warm falls to the wayside, which means most of the things that I do to feel a little more unique in the more pliable months also go out the window. It's only recently that I've developed a distinct urge to buck against this apathy and consider: how are we feeling cool this winter?
When you're layered in your warmest basics, it's hard to factor the sentiment in as a viable option beyond an ankle-scraping down coat and a pair of practical boots. It feels as though, semi-recently, there has been a new emphasis on winter accessories, restoring our faith in the prospect of feeling a little more unique as we cobble together our outfits for the next two-to-three months.
Ahead, find some helpful advice for how to look cool in the cold.
1. Get A Little Hat
Backgrid
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Backgrid
Head gear doesn't have to be exclusively practical during winter, and this season makes a case for ditching the beanie you got in an Urban Outfitters bin in 2018 for something slightly more contemporary. Consider elegant knitwear shapes or even a knitted kerchief, like Zoë Kravitz, to elevate a look.
2. (Faux) Fur Trimmings
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Miu Miu FW26
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Shutterstock
There is something particularly bitchy about a fur trim or fur coat, and the material is extremely cozy, too. Mob wife, "The Revenant", Jon Snow—whatever you want to call it, when I have a big furry "thing" shielding me from the elements it's hard to feel as though your look is a flop.
3. Glove Up
Khaite FW26
Khaite
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A great glove will get you far in life. Just ask my black lambskin, cashmere lined opera gloves that I bust out on particularly chilly evenings to add an extra element to a look that I am at risk of repeating. On the Fall/Winter 2026 runways last year, long leather gloves were an accessory of the season, arriving at Khaite, Saint Laurent, and Bottega Veneta.
4. Luxe Layers
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Shutterstock
I love the idea of adding extra layers via something slightly less expected, like a skirt over trousers. Fluid fabrics work best on the bottom half, like draped wool pants with satin or jersey skirts. The approach is slightly Y2K, and a signature Yohji Yamamoto move.
