If you’ve ever worn a cute sweater in winter only to feel freezing the whole day, let’s fix that. I’m BIG on looking stylish AND being nice and warm, so today I’m sharing 7 tips to help you feel cozy and comfortable, including some warm winter clothes that just work. 

These aren’t outfit formulas (you can find my guide on how to best layer in the winter here). Instead, I want you to know the simple clothing choices that make a big difference.

Nothing makes me sadder than watching other parents standing around at school pickup shivering in their UGG boots while I’m nice and toasty (even though I run SOOOOO cold), knowing that just a few tweaks could make them so much more comfortable! 

Whether you’re trying to stay warm at work, while running errands, during school pickup, or during long winter days outside, let’s talk about how to dress smarter — not just bulkier!

Clothes That Keep You Warm in the Winter

SIZING INFO: I’m 5’6″ and usually S/M or 6 in clothes and 8.5 to 9 in shoes.

1. Base Layers That Don’t Add Bulk

This is my secret weapon and one of the first things I reach for in cold weather. In particular, I 1,000% recommend HEATTECH from UNIQLO, which is a thin, stretchy thermal layer that traps heat close to your body without adding bulk. It’s smooth, soft, super thin but super effective, and moisture-wicking. You can wear it under nearly everything — blouses, sweaters, sweatshirts — and it stays hidden thanks to smart design of slightly shorter sleeves and scoop necklines.

I’ve been wearing these layers for 15+ years and can’t get through winter without them. They come in different warmth levels, like the regular one and ultra warm. I personally like the regular one (the thinner one) for my everyday base layer under fitted tops, while the thicker ultra warm ones are great on their own for sleeping or lounging.

That said, I don’t wear these by themselves! A thin HEATTECH paired with a regular long sleeve tee is where it’s at. When I wear the HEATTECH on its own or just the long sleeve on its own under a sweater or a sweatshirt, I’m cold. But when I pair the two together — and then wear the sweater or sweatshirt over them, it feels exponentially warmer than either one worn alone. You think thin layers like these won’t do much, but these do, and that’s the magic formula to ultimate warmth without bulk. 

2. Fleece-Lined Bottoms

Fleece-lined items are more and more popular, and they give you hidden warmth where it counts. There are fleece-lined leggings, wide-leg pants, and even jeans, among lots of other things, and they are seriously underrated! They look like normal clothes but have a soft fleece layer inside that adds warmth without the bulk of traditional layering.

Now, you could also wear HEATTECH tights under clothes if there aren’t fleece-lined options, but I don’t love how tights get caught or cause friction with my actual pants, so I don’t wear them. (My 7 year old, on the other hand, LOVES her HEATTECH tights under wide and flare pants.)

Some examples of fleece-lined cold-weather bottoms include:

• Fleece-lined flare leggings — WAY cozier athleisure! These are a personal favorite and were a top-seller last year. I wear them all throughout the winter on the weekends! (first and second pictures)
• Fleece-lined skinny leggings — Also cozy, if you prefer this cut over flares. (third picture)
• Fleece-lined wide leg pants — Another athleisure fave. (fourth picture)
• Fleece-lined jeans — I don’t own these but was in awe that these exist!
• Fleece-lined tights — So incredibly helpful if you’re wearing a dress and want to be warmer. I’ve worn these to winter weddings.

Shop the Outfits:
Brown Sweatshirt: Amazon (wearing size S)
Black Sweatshirt: Old Navy (wearing size S)
Fleece-lined Flare Leggings: Amazon (wearing size M)
White Sweatshirt: (similar and less oversized)
Fleece-lined Skinny Leggings: Amazon
Long Sleeve Tee: Amazon (wearing size L)
Fleece-lined Wide Leg Pants: Amazon (wearing size S)
White Vest: (similar)

3. Cozy Fabrics Make All the Difference

It’s easy to assume any sweater will keep you warm, but that’s not always true! Some sweaters are WAY warmer than others! If you’re shivering in one, swap it for pieces made from fabrics like wool or cashmere, like this wool crewneck sweater or this fairly affordable cashmere sweater, which will keep you warmer without adding bulk.

On top of that, some sweaters are just cozier than others, even if they’re not made from wool or cashmere. For example, these are all warmer than other sweaters I own:

4. Jeans and Pants in Thicker Fabrics

The fabric of your pants and jeans can make a huge difference in winter! Fabrics like corduroy and faux leather are thicker and will keep you warmer. As for jeans, some are thicker and sturdier, and others are thinner and better for summer or cool weather. 

For example, as much as I absolutely LOVE the wide leg Wit & Wisdom jeans (left above) and as good as the Democracy wide leg jeans are, they take the backseat during the winter because they are much thinner. The jeans that have taken over are the Quince wide leg jeans (right above), which are stretchy and comfortable, and while not AS soft as the Wit & Wisdom ones (because that’s hard to beat), they are thicker and keep out cold air better.

And here are some examples of corduroy and faux-leather pants:

Shop the Outfits:
Sweater: Quince (wearing size small – no longer available in this color)
Faux Leather Pants: (similar)
Cardigan: Gap Factory (similar)
Corduroy Pants: J.Crew Factory (wearing size 28)
Boots: Nordstrom

5. A Coat That Does the Work for You

Yes, this one might seem obvious — but the right winter coat makes all the difference.

For the ultimate warmth puffers, I like this one, as it’s heavy-duty. The pockets are lined with fleece, which is a nice touch. It’s also water-resistant — so important! I contrast this to having tried Quince’s super warm jacket and just NEVER feeling warm in it. This is just to say that jackets are not all created equally. So if you’re not warm in one, go look for another one! I know it seems obvious, but you’d be surprised by how many women I’ve met that think just because they’re wearing a decent jacket, they should be warm. But if it’s not keeping you warm (and you’re already layering with HEATTECH, a shirt, and a sweater or sweatshirt), it’s not doing a good job! 

Having said all of that, the coldest temperature I’m generally outside in for long periods of time is about 30 degrees, and I actually seldom need that Levi’s jacket I mentioned above, haha! If I layer with my HEATTECH + long sleeve tee + sweater, I can wear other puffers that aren’t as heavy-duty.

Also, some of our community members remarked how Columbia makes delightfully warm jackets without being bulky! So, give those a shot.

As for wool coats, I haven’t needed or found one that is super warm. If you have recommendations for our community, please leave them in the comments for everyone to see. You can, of course, always start with Quince’s wool coat, which should be a pretty safe bet!

Whatever coats you choose, remember to size if you want to layer sweaters and sweatshirts underneath.

6. Accessories That Seal In Heat

While accessories can be style statements, in the winter, they are super practical for keeping all of your limbs and extremities warm, so pile them on! Wear beanies to keep heat from escaping through your head, scarves to block cold air and keep your torso and whole body warm, and gloves to keep your hands warm.

7. Wide Leg Pants > Fitted Ones (For Warmth!)

You might have experienced this too, but for the most part I find that wide leg pants are inherently warmer than any pants that touch my legs, like slim straight jeans, bootcut jeans, or flare jeans — regardless of how thin or thick the fabric is. Wide legs just don’t allow the cold air to be as close to your skin. Trust me on this! (It also works for keeping you cooler in the summer!)

And even better? If you wear wide leg pants in thicker fabrics, like corduroy or the thicker denim I mentioned earlier, you’ll be even warmer!

When it comes to staying warm in winter, it’s not about piling on more clothes or wearing the thickest items possible. It’s about choosing the right clothes! I hope these tips help keep you cozier, warmer, and more comfortable this season. You don’t have to do them all at once, and if you incorporate one or two things at a time, you’ll still be on a better path than you were without them!