Winter Style Guide
When you start feeling the cold breeze on your skin and the temperature begins to drop, you know it's time to start bundling up. But is it really possible to stay stylish and warm without breaking the bank? The answer is yes, and we’re here to show you how!
Affordable winter fashion: What to wear on a cold day
Winter styling is all about layers. Whether jackets and pullovers, tees and shirts, or all of the above worn in one outfit, the key to pulling off a trendy winter look is knowing what clothes look good when worn together and what will make you uncomfortably warm.
To make things clear though—your winter wardrobe doesn’t need to cost the Earth. It's true that wearing layers means more clothes to wear in one outfit, but as long as you know what to look for, you can find affordable winter fashion that will keep you cosy and on trend throughout the season. Our top tip for winter layering is to pay attention to the material of your layers and the quality of the garment itself.
Your jacket or coat will probably be the first part of your winter look that people will see. Look for jackets that pair well with different colours and outfits, and which are made from warm, easy-care materials—cotton or polyester are good options here. For ultimate flexibility, we recommend having an overshirt in your arsenal as this can be worn as an outer layer on its own or even added underneath a thicker coat to give you more options.
For the inner layers, such as tees, shirts and jumpers, choose neutral colours as they will open up lots of pairing options and will help you to use items already in your wardrobe. We love hard-working natural fibres like cotton, linen and wool as they are breathable yet warm. Remember, a well made piece in neutral tones and a classic cut will stand the test of time and be well worth the investment as you bring it out year after year.
Now that you know the basics, it's time to start mixing and matching to build your winter look! All of the pieces below are perfect for layering and will look great in lots of different pairings so you can start and finish the cold season in style.
The Transeasonal Favourites
Get winter off to a flying start with staples you can always rely on. These winter essentials are known for their versatility and pair excellently with lots of other pieces—perfect if you’re building a capsule wardrobe. Stay warm and enjoy the wintertime with pieces that you’ll wear on repeat.
Shop the look for Men
Top Layer: Hampton Linen Shirt in Iris Pink
Base Layer: Acad Basic Crew in White
Bottom: Fatigue Pant in Army
Base Layer: Acad Basic Crew in White
Bottom: Fatigue Pant in Army
One of our best sellers and a signature of the Academy range, our linen shirts are the epitome of comfy winter with their slightly wider fit, extra soft feel and temperature-regulating fabric. With fresh colours, such as Iris Pink, Canteen Green and Infinity Blue, easily pair your shirt with our relaxed fit Fatigue Pant for a casual, stylish look. Wear a white crew neck tee for an extra layer of warmth and, in case the temperature drops further, check out the Edmund Puffer Vest. A padded gilet is a great option for those in between days to save you from carrying around a full coat.
Shop the look for Women
Top: Academy Merino Crew in Black
Bottom: Everyday Pant in Milk
Bottom: Everyday Pant in Milk
For a chic, casual look to tackle the winter season, our Academy Merino Crew will keep you warm, even when worn on its own. Made from 100% Australian merino wool, it’s one of the best fabrics to keep you warm during the cold weather while being soft to the skin. This knit comes in neutral colours, which makes them easy to mix and match with other basic staples in your wardrobe or other fresh Academy pieces.
Finish the look with the Everyday Pant, which has an elastic waist and a straight leg fit, providing you with maximum comfort wherever you go.
Dress for Success
Going to the office these days doesn’t mean you need to overdress to pass the dress code, but looking good is known to boost confidence and productivity at work. Slip into comfortable winter-ready clothing while looking professional and ready to get the job done.
It’s time to dress for success with these sleek business-casual looks that can also double as your after office hours look.
Shop the look for Men
Top Layer: The Everyday Jacket in Tan
Middle Layer: Malibu Crew in Silver
Base Layer: Workers Crew in White
Bottom: Cooper Slim Chino in Sand
Middle Layer: Malibu Crew in Silver
Base Layer: Workers Crew in White
Bottom: Cooper Slim Chino in Sand
A simple but well layered ensemble goes a long way, and that’s what our favourite office look encompasses. With three lighter layers in neutral colours, the outfit won’t feel and look heavy, and you can easily shed layers if you get too warm.
The top layer, the Everyday Jacket, has a wind-resistant outer while giving you extra warmth with its contrast brushed cotton lining. The middle and base layers are also made from cotton, making them lightweight yet warm—ideal to wear together.
Finish the look with chino pants. Academy chinos have a generous amount of stretch to give a smart, tailored finish without compromising comfort.
Shop the look for Women
For ladies who want to look effortlessly cool in the office, we recommend combining our Malibu Knit Vest and Frankie LS Poplin Dress. The v-neck knit will keep you snug while adding a stylish contrast to the dress beneath. The long line dress has a lovely relaxed fit and gives you lots of options to dress up and down with layers and accessories.
This simple outfit is sure to win you compliments.
For Those Impromptu Night Outs
Everyone wants to have an evening out once in a while but the cold weather can make heading out feel like an effort. Having a pre-planned outfit for those impromptu night outs will give you a push to say yes and enjoy some good times with friends.
Shop the look for Men
Top Layer: Lebowski Cord Overshirt in Navy
Base Layer: Colorado Shirt in Milk Check
Bottom: Hudson Straight Chino in Winter White
Base Layer: Colorado Shirt in Milk Check
Bottom: Hudson Straight Chino in Winter White
A checked shirt adds a classic, rugged look to your outfit and is a real essential for throwing on in the winter. With lots of different weights of fabric available, you can find a cosy or lightweight option to meet your needs.
We recommend layering a neutral checked shirt with a Cord Overshirt. These contrasting patterns offset each other perfectly to give you an easygoing, on trend look. Finish your winter outfit with lightly coloured chinos, such as our Hudson Straight Chino.
Shop the look for Women
Top Layer: Lebowski Cord Overshirt or Essential Overshirt in Chalk Pink
Base Layer: Essential Rib Tank in White
Bottom: Sunset Pant in White
Base Layer: Essential Rib Tank in White
Bottom: Sunset Pant in White
Turn heads with this ultra stylish combination that lends itself to almost all occasions. Featuring one of our famous overshirts, pick a bold colour and pair it with light bottoms and a top to make a statement. We recommend the Essential Rib Tank as your base layer, a perfect staple for layering with its cotton blend and neutral colours. As for the bottom, try the Sunset Pant, a modern take on classic straight leg trousers with a lightly frayed hem.
Embrace the cold in style
Fall in love with winter clothing that you can mix and match and wear time and time again. With a few staple pieces you can elevate your winter wardrobe and stay warm and stylish throughout the season.