HOW TO STYLE ELEGANT WINTER OUTFITS ON A BUDGET

How to style winter outfits to look stylish and elegant can be tricky. You want to dress for the cold weather but thick layers and baggy jumpers can often look frumpy. If you want to learn to put together elegant winter outfits on a budget, then this is the perfect post for you.

In this post, I’ll be sharing budget-friendly ways to create a chic winter wardrobe. So if you want to learn how to look chic without spending a fortune, read on for my top tips on elevating your winter style.

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Styling elegant winter outfits on a budget

DISCLAIMER: This post contains affiliate links and gifted products. If you shop through one of my links, I may earn a small commission. There is no additional cost to you and I am extremely grateful as it helps me to run my blog.

HOW TO STYLE ELEGANT WINTER OUTFITS ON A BUDGET

1. BE PARTICULAR ABOUT PURCHASES

I truly believe it is possible to pick out inexpensive pieces that look like they are worth so much more than they actually are. However, you do need to be particular about your choices.

Fabrics such as wool, silk and cotton are known for being of higher quality. These are often more expensive but high-street brands such as H&M and Zara often have key pieces that look luxurious but won’t break your bank account. Chicwish is another favourite of mine but, they are online only.

Luckily, winter knits can often look more expensive due to the weight of the fabric. Lightweight or see-through fabric will look cheaper. In my opinion, there is no bigger fashion faux-pass than see-through leggings. Always avoid these!

Also, make sure to choose pieces that fit you well. Even the most luxurious piece will look cheap if it’s too tight. Even if you love a piece, if it doesn’t fit properly, it’s not worth the money.

2. A SMART COAT IS A MUST

A smart coat is an essential winter wardrobe item. Often, other people won’t even see what’s underneath it. It’s worth investing in a well-fitting, smart coat to elevate your look. Again, this doesn’t have to be super expensive, look for wool or some wool content in the materials. Wool will also keep you warmer. Mine (shown below) is less than £100 and is 40% wool. This is a great smart, everyday coat.

I also love faux fur. A faux fur coat trim on a coat can look very chic and perfect for winter as it’s both cosy and stylish. Make sure you choose a fluffy-looking faux fur rather than a matted, shaggy one.

I’ve linked everything below. Where an item is no longer available, I’ve linked similar.

Some of these are items from premium brands that I bought via Vinted. I will discuss that further below.

3. INVEST IN A TIMELESS HANDBAG

– I’m so pleased to have collaborated with Teddy Blake on this post –

A quality leather bag will really make your winter outfits look more elegant and overall more expensive. This is one piece that I always think is worth the investment. If you’re looking for a well-made leather bag on a budget, I highly recommend Teddy Blake.

Teddy Blake uses high-quality Italian leather and their bags are produced in the same factories as designer brands however they retail at a fraction of the price. They do this by saving costs on marketing and by not having retail stores.

A real leather bag will last the test of time compared to faux leather which will start looking worn after a while. Choosing a classic, timeless piece will ensure you get wear out of it year after year.

The gorgeous Teddy Blake Cleo Vitello bag retails at just £278. While this is still a lot of money, it is an investment piece and it is dramatically less than £990 for a similar Chloe Bag and £1690 from Burberry. As you can see from my photos, it goes perfectly with any outfit.

TEDDY BLAKE BAG LINKED HERE

4. ADD ELEGANT ACCESSORIES

Choosing the right accessories is another small detail which makes a huge difference in an outfit looking chic or cheap.

Belts—Belts create a luxurious finish to an outfit and can highlight and accentuate your waist. If you’re on a budget, I found a great £15 Amazon dupe for the £950 Hermes Kelly belt. It isn’t real leather but is also over £900 less expensive! SHOP IT HERE.
Jewellery – dainty jewellery is much more elegant than large bold pieces. Stick to gold, rose gold or silver tones and classic stones such as diamonds, pearls or similar. Real or imitation can both work.
Shoes & Boots – this is another area I think is worth an investment. However, if you’re on a tight budget, here are a few tips: Heels will instantly make an outfit look more elegant. I love Vivaia boots and they’re always so comfortable. If you can’t manage heels, try a pointed toe to elongate the legs. Make sure shoes are clean and polished if needed.

SPEND: BAG – CHLOE £990 | BELT – HERMES £950 | BOOTS – TOM FORD £1620

SAVE: BAG – TEDDY BLAKE £287 | BELT – AMAZON £14.90 | BOOTS – DUNE LONDON £180

5. STICK TO A NEUTRAL COLOUR PALLET

Neutral colours, especially lighter tones look extremely elegant. Black can be very chic however I find it quite harsh and not so feminine. Stick mainly to browns and creams and add in pale pinks and nudes. Occasionally, I will try a colour but always a subtle or pastle colour. Never anything bright or bold.

Sticking to a colour pallet also makes putting outfits together a lot easier as everything goes together perfectly.

SWEATER – H&M | TROUSERS – REISS (VIA VINTED, SIMILAR LINKED) | BAG – TEDDY BLAKE | BELT – AMAZON | BOOTS – AMAZON

6. TAKE CARE OF YOUR FABRICS

The small details will set you apart when you’re trying to style elegant winter outfits that look expensive on a budget. Make sure your clothes don’t have stains or holes.

Also, pay attention to loose threads, pulls and missing buttons. Knitwear can also bobble, especially in places where it rubs against a bag or similar. Use a fabric shaver to fix this issue easily. If you have pets, also use a lint roller to remove stray hairs.

Bonus Tip: It is very easy and inexpensive to replace buttons. Doing this can really make an affordable piece stand out. Choose shell, diamante or pearl buttons for a really luxurious look.

DRESS – NEW LOOK (SIMILAR LINKED) | BELT – AMAZON | BAG – TEDDY BLAKE | BOOTS – NEXT

7. EXPLORE VINTED & OTHER PRELOVED PIECES

I’ve recently started shopping pre-loved fashion more. Partly because it’s more sustainable and partly because I love a bargain! Vinted has been the most successful outlet for me.

I got my pale pink Reiss trousers for just under £12, new without tags, these retail at £150 new or £90 in the sale so this was a great purchase. I also got Vivaia boots new in the box for half the price of their own website. I wear them so much, this was a replacement for a previous pair.

Here are a few tips for shopping on Vinted:

Use the filters – select your size, neutral colours and only items that are new or in very good condition.
Note the brand. I occasionally buy high street such as H&M but avoid Zara as their clothes often don’t fit me well. I also try to search for slightly more premium brands. Reiss is my favourite but I also consider Ted Baker, Karen Millen etc.
Read the descriptions – occasionally people will say “Great condition apart from this huge stain” Avoid those items!
If something has been listed for a while, make a lower offer and it will often be accepted.
When you see something great, snap it up. Things often sell quickly so don’t miss out on a great deal.