Stylish work outfits for freezing weather

[Masalachai123]

I'm starting a new job soon and relocating north, so (reasonably) mild London winters will be a thing of the past. I work in what I suppose you would describe as a smart/business casual environment, but when I lived in colder climes I always struggled with winter as I really feel the cold and look like a sack wearing giant jumpers.

Wondering if anyone fancies sharing tips on what you wear when you need to look smart but also have to walk through cold biting winds. So far all I can think of is fleece-lined tights and knee-high boots, which can sometimes be a bit student-y on me, and non-chunky wool fitted jumpers, which are my mythical holy grail.

Where do others shop for winter workwear?

[Redberrypie]

I tend to wear skinny trousers, boots for the travel in to work, then change in to heels once at work, shirt with fitted jumper over the top, collar out with a nice necklace.

Debenhams do a range of lovely fitted jumpers in every colour imaginable for about £14.

Big coat and scarf.

Good luck with your move up North.

[Masalachai123]

Ooh thanks for the debenhams tip, I wouldn't have thought of them. I tend to have difficulty with getting shirts that don't gape but wearing jumpers on top would solve that.

[overthemill]

You wear normal clothes that you would wear for work and add in a thermal vest from M&S. Then get a really warm coat eg wool one or even a Nordic type one with scarf and gloves and hat ( I always have suede or leather gloves). If office is warm you nip to loo and remove vest. If you are still cold, add a thin jumper or cardigan ( cashmere or merino wool). Good shoes/ boots with excellent grip - change into more officer ones at work ( I used to keep a thermal vest in my drawer at work and a pair of spare shoes).

[stripytees]

Velvet or wool skirts, cashmere or merino jumpers, layered over Uniqlo Heat Tech tops. A good coat, scarf, hat and gloves for outdoors.

[Redberrypie]

I have a few shirts from Primark, in a kind of chiffony material (I hate ironing), they work well under them and don't have breast pockets, so no strange bumps.

The latest range of jumpers have a nice silver button detailing down the back and on the cuffs.

[JeffsanArsehole]

I think a smart version of what you already wear would be good. I wear knee high boots (smart leather ones, not Uggs) plus leggings (even better than fleece lined tights as you can wear thicker or cashmere socks with leggings inside the boots.

I also wear layers and I always wear dresses. So I wear a matching to the v-neck dress camisole plus a cardigan, then a coat if it's chilly.

I'm a keen double scarf wearer too. A thinner Jersey one wrapped round a couple of times plus a smarter silk one over the top. I always carry gloves too and find cashmere ones are much warmer than just merino.

If you suit hats and aren't fussy about 'hat hair' then a beanie/fedora really traps in the heat.

[Masalachai123]

Double scarf! That is not something that would have occurred to me before.

Does anyone wear cardigans over jumpers? Or coats over Blazers? I feel like I am rubbish at layering because the sizes/styles don't quite match up.

[Orangeanddemons]

Avoid 3/4length sleeves.

[DinosaursRoar]

Wool dresses are a good option as well, there's some lovely ones around at the moment. this one is nice and would work with silk scarf, thick tights and heeled boots.

Question, will your office be warm? Be careful about dressing for the cold commute and then arriving to being all sweaty in the office. There's nothing wrong with adding an extra chunky jumper over your normal work clothes for your commute and then just taking that off when you get to work.

[DinosaursRoar]

oh and if you already have 3/4 length sleeved tops for work, get some long gloves for the commute.

[ISpidersmanYouMeanPirate]

I always wear knee high socks under my trousers and a strappy top under my top.

My problem is I overheat during my commute and get cold in the office

[Orangeanddemons]

Yy to knee high preferably thermal socks. I buy childrens school socks.

[overthemill]

i wore a coat over a suit jacket in winter - i worked all over the place so one day London, One day Newcastle and so had to be ready for anything hence my layering advice! make sure you can take off layers without boiling to death. I always took my coat off on the train and hat and gloves too.

[CandyRainShower]

I wear lots of layers so if you go to a warmer office or meeting you can strip off! I tend to wear a thermal vest, blouse, jumper and indoor scarf, with a coat and a wool scarf over the top outside. Then knee socks under trousers, or fleece lined thermal tights with dresses (can get them in primark, don't get them in peacocks though unless you want to look like Nora Batty!)