Do you have very cold, snowy winters? Or are you cold-blooded and can’t seem to stay warm even when you’re home? Girl, this post is for you!

Sometimes it’s easiest to just reach for the biggest, fuzziest sweatshirt from hubby’s side of the closet. But that leaves you feeling frumpy!

This post will show you a simple method and strategies for how to dress both warm AND cute in winter.

WHO THIS POST ISN’T FOR: If you find you actually have the opposite problem of always ROASTING even in winter, this post will probably make you bead with sweat just reading it—so it’s probably not for you? ?

Now hang on to your cute socks cause this post is LOOOONG. I think it might just be the longest one on the blog so far.

It’s very much focused on kid-friendly, casual and cute outfits you can wear for every day mom life and I wanted to cover the topic thoroughly!

GALS. I thought I had a lot to say before starting to write. Then as I researched some more my excitement only grew to bouncy status.

This is one of those posts my husband has heard me chatter about because I couldn’t just keep it to myself while writing it!

So let’s get started!

First off: The simple key to dressing warm but stylish in winter is layering.

But the tricky part with layering is not looking bulky and frumpy #amiright?!

Or, maybe you feel like every warm piece you own is kind of frumpy?

To help with that, here’s the order of events:

1. First I’ll cover two lists that will show you what to have in your closet:
   1. Mom-friendly Winter Clothes Essentials (with examples of on-trend pieces from Amazon)
   2. The 10 Warmest Fabrics for Winter
2. Then we’ll go into How to Dress Cute in Layers (Without Looking Bulky) along with a few of my Best Tips for Dressing Warm and Cute in Winter.

3. And finally I’ll show you my Top 10 Favorite Layered Outfit Ideas for Winter (yup, with pictures!)

Along the way, I’ll sprinkle in some clothing recommendations from Amazon to help you picture some of the pieces I’m talking about. This not only serves as visual examples but also gives you options for cute clothes with good reviews and easy shipping/returns. NOTE: On mobile only about half the Amazon links show up. View this on a computer or tablet to see more!

List Of Mom/Kid-Friendly Winter Clothes Essentials For 2023

Warm and stylish winter outfits come together quite effortlessly when you have to right pieces.

This list of winter wardrobe basics is geared toward stay-at-home moms who need casual/comfy but chic options for layering. If you also work outside the home, see my Year-Round Business Capsule Wardrobe that includes a few business casual pieces for cold weather. The key with business casual is the same though… get pieces in warm fabrics and layer, layer, layer! That’s what you’ll learn to do in this post.

Below each wardrobe section, I include some of my personal picks from Amazon to both give you shopping options and also help you visualize what an on-trend, stylish version of the pieces looks like.(Items marked with an asterisk * are included in the Year-Round Wardrobe Plan for Moms.)

Tops

1. *Neutral Long Sleeve Layering Tees
2. *Long Sleeve Classic Striped Shirt
3. *Neutral Plaid Top
4. *Color Plaid Top
5. *Neutral Slouchy Sweater
6. *Color Sweater
7. *Neutral Tunic Sweater

Bottoms

1. *Dark Wash Jeans
2. *Slim Fit Athletic Pants
3. *Light Wash Jeans
4. *Neutral Jeans
5. *Olive or Burgundy Pants
6. Neutral Thick-Knit Dress or Sweater Dress

Completer Pieces:

1. *Cute Sweatshirt/Hoodie (I love Mindy Mae’s Market sweatshirts).
2. *Neutral Chunky Warm Cardigan (Long)
3. *Accent Color Cardigan
4. *Quilted or Puffer Vest
5. *Long Warm Coat (Wool Overcoat, Puffer Coat, Parka)
6. *Denim Jacket
7. *Leather or Moto Jacket

Shoes:

1. *Lace-Up Sneakers
2. *Riding Boots and/or Over-the-Knee Boots
3. *Ankle Boots
4. Duck Boots (aka Snow Boots)
5. *Cute At-Home Slippers

Bonus Tips for Shoes

• Suede is pretty but isn’t very practical for rainy or snowy weather. Leather or gum boots are most durable against the elements. Just be sure to seal your genuine leather to protect it.
• The most versatile ankle boots end just above your ankle bone. Taller ones are trickier to wear with skinny pants (but I’ll show you how later). Boot cut pants can be worn over any height of ankle boots.
• Get boots with a 1-2 inch block heel. The block style prevents twisted ankles while helping keep your feet dry in the rain and snow.

Accessories:

1. Thermal Top (This is super important! A good quality, thin thermal will allow you to be warm without looking bulky in too many layers!)
2. Thermal Pants or Fleece-lined leggings (Also super important!)
3. *Thick Knit Scarf
4. *Winter Print/Pattern Scarf
5. *Plaid Scarf (Blanket scarf or infinity scarf)
6. *Cute Knit Hat (Like a CC Beanie)
7. Tech-friendly Gloves (allow you to use your phone without removing your gloves!)
8. *Wool Socks
9. *Tights
10. *Leggings
11. Jewelry:
    • *Minimalist Necklace
    • *Statement Necklace
    • *Minimalist Earrings
    • *Statement Earrings

List Of 10 Warmest Fabrics For Winter

If you live in an especially cold climate, you may want to pay attention to the fabrics of your pieces.

You see, having tops, cardigans and pants in warm materials can be the difference between having to wear 3 layers or just 2 layers—thus minimizing the bulky factor.

Here are the best types of fabrics to keep you warm:

1. I’ve seen fleece jackets all over the place, and few fabrics are as warm as fleece the moment you slip into it. Just make sure to get a fitted size to avoid looking frumpy in fleece jackets.
2. Sherpa (aka faux shearling). Oh SO popular right now! You’ll find Sherpa vests and jackets easily. And it’s just about the warmest thing you can wear. Because it’s thicker than fleece, you can go for the slouchier fitted Sherpa jacket as long as you pair it with fitted bottoms such as a straight skirt or slimming jeans.
3. To avoid the hassles of real wool and the expense of cashmere (what mom can wear CASHMERE stress free?), look for the cheaper merino wool or its synthetic counterpart, acrylic. I have merino wool socks and an acrylic sweater that are my go-tos on damp, cold days.
4. Faux Fur. Although not something you’d wear around the house with kids, a fake fur vest would be adorable to throw on over a thermal white shirt along with skinny jeans for date night.
5. Corduroy. Is it still in? Yup! Still around, and especially cute in a mini skirt paired with leggings and boots!
6. Leather (including vegan/faux leather). This works great in jackets or leggings to provide a windshield.
7. Suede (including vegan/faux suede). A softer version of leather, suede in a sharp moto jacket will provide an awesome shield against the wind.
8. Often appears in tiny plaid print or herringbone, tweed is so warm I rarely get an occasion to wear my tweed coat.
9. This fabric is very popular right now. I personally can’t get into it (too reminiscent of my childhood) but if you do like it, take advantage of this trend to look stylish while staying warm.
10. Ever find that you sweat a lot in polyester tops? That’s because it tends to lock in moisture. In contrast, cotton wicks away moisture which causes you to feel chilly as it evaporates. Look for jeans and tops with some polyester versus 100% cotton for more warmth.

You may have noticed these are all soft fabrics.

A quick way of knowing something will be warm before bringing it home is simply to feel how soft it is.

Stiffer fabrics don’t lock in heat very well.

How To Dress Cute In Layers (Without Looking Bulky)

The key to staying warm and stylish in winter is layering.

This is also the key to handling the quadrillion fluctuating temperatures moms face in any 24 hour period.

My husband often comes home to find a cardigan, jacket, and/or scarf sprawled across the kitchen chair. They tell the story of weathering a day with kids in winter. #punintended

A couple of awesome things about layering…

• It’s practical. Layering allows you to utilize pieces in your wardrobe that you usually only use in warmer seasons. It also allows you to easily transition to a cooler outfit when you’re on the go with kids and in and out of cars and buildings.
• It’s stylish. I mean, one of the tips you’ll always read if you look for ways to be stylish? To layer. So rest assured, layering is not just practical, it actually makes you look like a super chic mom.

I put together this visual guide to demonstrate how to layer for winter fashionably and without looking bulky.

Below the chart I wrote out the explanation of the layers.

IMPORTANT: The “key ingredient” here is the thermal base layer. A good quality pair of thermal “underwear” allows you to wear fewer layers while staying toasty warm. Start with thermals if you have freezing temps OR you just can’t seem to get warm around the house. Heattech thermals are recommended for being thin but very warm—and they’re quite affordable! You can also get cami and tank top style if long sleeve is too warm for you. Here are some additional options on Amazon. When it comes to thermals, cotton should be avoided because it adds bulk and doesn’t keep you very warm (due to how it absorbs moisture). Check the fabric details!

Ok, now on to the chart. Skip a few layers if your winters aren’t extreme!

Layers You Would Wear While You’re Home:

Base Layer (optional):

• Thermals OR Fleece-lined Leggings OR Tights
• Wool Socks

1st Main Outfit Layer: Top (Long-Sleeve Layering Tee, Collared Shirt) + Pants OR Sweater Dress

If layering a warm sweater dress for cold weather, just skip the 2nd Main Outfit Layer below and add the “going out layers” instead. If utilizing a thinner dress, you can layer with a cardigan from the 2nd Main Outfit Layer below.

2nd Main Outfit Layer: Pullover Sweater OR Cute Sweatshirt (unless layering for a dress) OR Comfy/Light Jacket (Denim, Sherpa, Fleece) OR Cardigan

If wearing a collared shirt, use a sweater with a crew or v-neckline. Otherwise a turtleneck is the warmest. If turtlenecks make you feel like you’re choking, use a scarf instead to add warmth to the neck when going out.

Layers You Would Add When Going Out:

1st Outer Layer (optional): Vest

Goes over your cardigan, jacket or sweatshirt. Yes, this is a trendy thing to do!

2nd Outer Layer: Overcoat (Classic Wool Coat, Puffer Coat, Parka) or Heavy Jacket (Puffer Jacket, Leather/Suede Jacket)

Finishing & Decorative Layer: Shoes + Jewelry + Bag + Scarf + Hat + Gloves

Additional General Tips For Dressing Warm And Cute In Winter

Here are some dressing hacks for looking cute and chic in very cold weather.

1. Wear wool socks with your boots (SmartWool or merino wool aren’t itchy). (see image for how to wear them with ankle boots)
2. Wear tights, leggings, or thermals under pants. There are fleece-lined leggings and fleece-lined tights available! (I linked some in the Amazon shopping boxes under Accessories in the winter essentials section above.)
3. Use turtleneck sweaters at home for the coziest warmth (or create one with a soft, cable knit knit infinity scarf).
4. Wear shoes with a slim profile and slightly pointed toe (versus square or rounded toe) to avoid looking too bulky.
5. Wear jeans with a blend of both cotton and synthetic materials (not 100% cotton). If shopping for warm pants, check materials! Or use #2 above to make any pants warmer.
6. For athletic outfits, instead of leggings opt for thicker ponte knit pants. They are just as stretchy but much warmer!
7. Buy accessories like scarves, hats and gloves/mittens in neutrals instead of color. That way they easily look classy added to ANY outfit and you don’t end up looking mismatched and awkward.
8. To avoid looking too bulky in a heavy parka or coat:
   • Get one that is fitted (possibly sizing down) and comes it at the waist instead of flaring out.
   • Get a coat with a belt at the waist in to add definition.
   • You can also counter the (often necessary) bulkiness on the top with slim profile knee-high or over-the-knee boots that have slightly pointed toes.
   • Get coats/parkas in black or navy rather than light colors to look slimmer. Also wear dark wash jeans or black pants on the bottom and black boots to elongate your frame. If you’d like to add color, you can do so with a scarf or statement earrings.
   • OR, instead of trying to feel slim in a bulky parka, consider using one of your slimmer coats and layering underneath with a super warm fleece or sherpa jacket.

Want to read more about specifically layering skirts and dresses for winter? Check out these blog posts:

• How to Wear Skirts Without Looking Frumpy (the end of that post gives tons of tips for styling skirts or dresses in winter)
• 20 Mom-Friendly Ways to Wear Skirts & Dresses in Winter
• Check out the Pinterest board I put together about cute skirt and dress outfits for cold weather.

My 10 Favorite Layered Outfit Ideas For Winter

Okay so we’ve covered the essentials you need in winter, the warmest fabrics, how to layer, and other general tips for dressing cute in winter.

Now we get to the outfit examples!

I decided on these 10 outfit formulas because they are hugely popular right now and pretty fail-proof!

You can add a thermal camisole or shirt + thermal pants + hat + gloves on any of these outfits for additional warmth. Having that thermal layer is key for moms with little ones at home because you can avoid wearing scarves or heavy cardigans that sometimes get in the way.

My hat and gloves were in my napping son’s room so I didn’t get any photos with them on. As you can see though, a cute pom pom knit hat and gloves would complete any of these outfits!

TO PIN ANY OF THESE, HOVER OR TAP AND USE THE SAVE BUTTON ON THE TOP LEFT CORNER

Outfit #1: Long Sleeve Shirt + Jeans + Quilted Vest + Blanket Scarf + Wool Overcoat + Riding Boots

Wear wool socks folded down over your leggings for a trendy and cozy at-home look.

Outfit #2: Fitted or Slouchy Sweater + Jean Jacket + Color Pants + Overcoat + Lace-Up Sneakers or Ankle Boots

Outfit #3: Slouchy Sweater + Skinny Jeans + Long Wool Coat + Scarf + Wool Socks + Ankle Boots

Here I’m wearing ankle boots with warm wool socks. Simple fold down your wool socks until they are poking out about 1 inch above your ankle boots and then tuck your jeans into them.

Outfit #4: Cute Sweatshirt/Hoodie + Quilted Vest or Puffer Jacket + Jeans + Lace-Up Sneakers

This sweatshirt is the Double Hooded Sweatshirt from Mindy Mae’s Market sweatshirts. You can read my review about Mindy Mae’s Market here! 

For additional warmth, add a puffer jacket to this outfit.

Outfit #5: Cute Sweatshirt/Hoodie + Denim Jacket or Puffer Vest + Faux Leather Leggings + Leather Jacket + Riding Boots

Another Double Hooded Sweatshirt ? I love that sizing up makes it long enough to cover the bum.

I included Leather Jacket in the outfit formula but forgot to put it on for the picture! You would add it over the denim jacket for warmth. (Or if that’s too snug, swap the denim jacket for a denim vest before adding a leather jacket.)

Outfit #6: Plaid Shirt + Sweater + White Jeans + Scarf + Colorful Coat + Riding Boots

If white jeans scare you, you could simply swap in other neutral jeans like black or gray ones.

Outfit #7: Striped Long Sleeve Shirt + Vest + Leopard Scarf + Leggings + Distressed Jeans + Twill Coat + Ankle Boots

Leopard and classic stripes go so well together! Notice I’m wearing leggings under my ripped jeans. It’s a perfectly acceptable thing to do!

Outfit #8: Sweater Dress or Tunic Sweater + Blanket Scarf + Leggings + Riding or Over-the-Knee Boots + Overcoat

These leggings are more burgundy in real life, but they look plum purple here… so I went with it!

Notice this is my slouchy sweater from Outfit #3… long slouchy sweaters can double as short sweater dresses with leggings underneath!

Outfit #9: Tunic Top + Long Cardigan + Faux Leather Pants + Black Sneakers or Ankle Boots or Wool Socks & Snow Boots

Lots of shoe options for this one… black sneakers, ankle boots and snow boots all work great with faux leather leggings!

Outfit #10: Long Sleeve Fitted Shirt (tucked) + Herringbone Vest + Skirt + Scarf + Leggings + Boots

Try going monochrome like this all blue outfit and add color with a necklace!

And that pretty much concludes this blog post! I figured after putting 15+ hours on it I should call it good. #perfectionistprobs

I hope these wardrobe basics, the charts on warmest fabrics + how to layer and the outfit ideas gave you plenty of inspiration to dress cute and warm this winter!

It was such a joy putting it together in response to your questions.