Every season brings new fashion trends. Whether it’s a revival of classics or new staples for the season, West High students gave their thoughts on what fashion will be trending this winter.

Clothing items

Chunky knit sweaters

Chunky knit sweaters are a staple for the winter season, with the thickness of the yarn being a great way to stay warm in the cold. Chunky knit sweaters are made with a variety of yarns and colors, which makes it easy for these sweaters to be paired with practically anything. They can be paired with jeans or skirts to be the final piece for layering. These sweaters are sold at almost every store over the winter, and are commonly found at H&M and Target.

Puffer coats

A winter essential is a thick coat; a popular style is the puffer coat. The puffer coat is extremely popular because it works well in cold winter weather: lightweight while still keeping one warm. Puffer coats come in a myriad of colors, including black, white and any color of the rainbow. There are many ways to style a puffer coat: they can be paired with earmuffs, a chunky scarf and a denim skirt or jeans. Popular brands that make puffer coats include The North Face, Columbia and Canada Goose. These coats are everywhere during the early winter months, selling at stores like Old Navy, Walmart, and more.

Hollister’s Faux Fur Trim Zip-Up Hoodie

In the early fall, Hollister released the highly requested 2000s vault, which is clothing inspired by their early 2000s clothes. As the winter months approached, more people wanted Hollister to bring back their signature Faux Fur Trim Zip-Up hoodies. These hoodies were extremely popular back in the early 2000s. The hoodie can be paired with their matching sweatpants, denim skirts or jeans. Since the hoodie is form-fitting, it may not be easy to layer. The new hoodies can be found at Hollister, but the original version from the 2000s can be found on resale sites or at thrift stores.

Off-the-shoulder sweater

Trending this winter are off-the-shoulder sweaters. The sweaters are excellent for elevating a simple outfit while also keeping one warm during the cold winter. Off-the-shoulder sweaters are often made of sweatshirt material or knitted yarn, both of which are known for keeping one comfy and warm. Many style them with matching sweatpants or lounge pants, sometimes layering them on dresses or tank tops. Common stores that sell off-the-shoulder sweaters are American Eagle, H&M and Hollister.

Accessories

Earmuffs

A must-have winter accessory is earmuffs. Earmuffs are a great way to elevate one’s outfit while also being practical in the winter cold. Many use earmuffs as an alternative to beanies since they eliminate the effects of hat hair. Earmuffs are a versatile accessory; they can work with any outfit and hairstyle. This year, brown earmuffs with white fur are going viral. Stores like Target and Walmart sell multiple variations of these earmuffs, while other businesses like Hot Topic sell more niche and detailed earmuffs, most of which are inspired by characters or the style Hot Topic carries.  

Fleece-lined tights

A winter staple is fleece-lined tights. Fleece is a fuzzy material that keeps the body insulated from the cold. This is a winter staple because people can still wear skirts and dresses without having to expose their legs. Fleece-lined tights come in many different colors, the most popular being nude or black. A popular style of these tights is nude with black nylon tights on top. The tights are commonly styled with dresses, skirts or even shorts, yet trying to find fleece-lined tights in-store is hard since there is such high demand for them at the start of winter. Stores like Target, Macy’s and Dillard’s sell them, but they sell out quickly. If they’re out of stock in-store, Amazon also sells a large variety.

Patterns

Snoopy

Snoopy is a very popular character among teens and young adults. Movies like “It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” and “A Charlie Brown Christmas” are considered cult classics. It’s not uncommon to see at least a dozen students wearing clothing with a Snoopy pattern at school, most commonly appearing on pajama pants and sweatshirts. Stores like American Eagle, Target and Five Below have large collections of Snoopy clothing that are reasonably priced, making it easy for students to shop.

Plaid

A winter classic in fashion is plaid. In the winter, the red and green colorway becomes popular with the upcoming holiday season. However, plaid does come in multiple colors. In the winter, you can find plaid on everything: pajama pants, flannel jackets, scarves and more. Plaid is also sold at every store in the winter, with many carrying a variety of clothing in the plaid pattern.

Styles and aesthetics

Cozy styles

This winter, a style that’ll be trending is the cozy style. People are opting for warm sweaters, soft sweatpants, fuzzy socks and slippers, which sounds like the perfect cozy outfit. The style is great for Iowa winters because it can get very cold, and all people want to do is be warm and cozy after dealing with the cold. The cozy style is quite versatile, as it’s based on personal preference and not a specific look.

Chic

The chic style is a fusion of classy and minimalistic styles. Chic focuses on looking timeless, having a neutral color palette and incorporating simple patterns. This style has been popular in recent months and will be trending through the winter. Common colors found in this color palette are black, navy and brown; these colors make a great contrast against the bright white snow and the gray sky.

Overall, the most important trend to follow this winter is staying warm. While wanting to stay stylish, remember to consider functionality.