4 Flattering Winter Wardrobe Tips From a Stylist

Nashville fashion stylist and wardrobe consultant Carson Love brings us another fabulous set of ways to help your wardrobe reflect your style AND the season!

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The list of things to love about living in the South is long. For me, hovering at the top of that list are the four unique, beautiful seasons we get to experience. They each bring their own flavors, celebrations, foliage, and of course … outfit opportunities.

A common frustration I help clients navigate this time of year is dressing for warmth but in the most flattering way possible. Chilly forecasts don’t have to mean hiding under layers of bulky fabrics! As we enter these winter months, I’d love to share some of the seasonal styling ideas that have been top of mind as I help clients transition into their warmer wardrobes.

4 Flattering Winter Wardrobe Tips From a Stylist

Making Sweaters More Flattering

There’s nothing like a cozy sweater on a chilly day — but, often, our favorite winter knits can feel a bit bulky. And depending on how you’re styling them, an oversized fit might not be the most flattering. Luckily, you can make some quick adjustments to help your sweater look more balanced.

First up, simply give the sleeves a good push-up around your elbow. If the sleeves are extra long, you can roll the cuff several times to ensure it stays up. Pushing up the sleeves may sound like a small detail that wouldn’t make a huge difference, but it creates more space visually around the waist, eliminating some of that boxy silhouette.

Second, there are a few different tucking techniques that can make a big difference in your overall look. I’m sure most of you have heard of the “front” or “French” tuck, which achieves a more casual or undone look. This is a great way to give an already semi-fitted or cropped sweater a bit more shape.

Let’s not forget about the French tuck’s big sister, the good, old-fashioned full tuck! Especially if you’re layering a thinner knit under a jacket or other third piece (like the brown jacket pictured below), fully tucking the sweater’s hem can make a world of difference and give a more polished result.

For a sweater that’s much longer or oversized, try an “under tuck” to create the illusion of a cropped style. Do this by tucking the bottom of the sweater up under a bra line, belt, or even a shoestring. I made a quick video tutorial that you can check out HERE.

Add Your Own Belt to a Coat

A warm overcoat will become a mandatory addition to many outfits this winter, but that doesn’t mean you have to hide your style or shape underneath. I love removing the belt that comes with a coat and replacing it with one that I already own. This not only injects an element of your personal style but also adds structure and shape. My tip here: Opt for a broad, thick belt. You want something substantial enough to cinch in the heavy fabric of the coat.

Layer in Your Own Coverage

Don’t store away your sleeveless dresses just yet! Of course, you can layer jackets, sweaters, and blazers OVER these dresses for an added layer of warmth, but have you considered layering something UNDER them? One of my favorite winter styling hacks is layering a blouse or fitted sweater underneath a dress.

This can bring new versatility to dresses you already own, and it offers a more modern way to style an outfit that needs more coverage. My tips: Use a blouse with a collar (whether it’s a classic button-up or a pussy-bow blouse). You can also use a fitted turtleneck or even a bodysuit to avoid extra bulk or fabric.

Another “under” layer that can give more winter wear to dresses is tights. To create an elongated, modern feel, try super opaque black tights and pair them with your favorite black boots or booties. This will create a continuous line on your entire leg. (Tip: Look for the words “opaque” or “blackout” on the label when buying these kinds of tights).

If you want to add a fun pop or contrast to an outfit, try a patterned or embellished pair of tights. I love this for adding an unexpected, festive element to a holiday party look.

Try Going Monochromatic

Winter dressing can mean adding more layers and pieces to an outfit, which makes styling feel more overwhelming than usual. One simple (and very chic) hack to avoid decision fatigue while creating a cohesive look is going monochromatic. ‘Monochromatic dressing’ means using only one hue to dictate the whole outfit. You can go bold by using shades of one color or subtly by mixing neutrals.

We hope these tips inspire some creative ways to stay (stylishly) warm this winter!

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