We all know that getting dressed in the winter has its disadvantages. The weather just doesn’t force us to dress for practicality over style – but most days, we don’t want to get dressed at all. So when you actually need to look put together, the most daunting task to tackle might be how to look luxe beneath the piles of layers. Fortunately, the key to looking expensive is actually quite simple. It all comes down to your attitude, a couple of smart pieces, and knowing which styling hacks to employ. Below, I’m sharing 5 of my go-to tweaks on any given day. 

Karen Millen Military Coat | Karen Millen Came Knit Dress | Saint Laurent Solferino Bag | Bottega Veneta Sunglasses

1. Add an oversized but tailored piece

An effortless way to level up your winter outfit is to rock oversized tailored pieces. It gives off that coveted French-girl vibe whether you’re wearing a relaxed blazer, slouchy trench coat, or menswear-inspired coat. Although the baggy aesthetic is trendier than ever, tread carefully since it’s harder for us petite girls to pull it off. You can play it safe by pairing one oversized piece with more fitted garments like a knit midi dress.

Stitches & Stripes Duster Cardigan | Helmut Lang Sweater Dress | Balenciaga Baseball Cap (better for budget here) | Louis Vuitton Multi-Pochette Accessories Bag | Schutz Boots (also love this one)

2. Double up on knits

Knitwear is one of the few things that look nice no matter how much you actually spend on them. When layered together, they end up looking more expensive. You can take the easy route and shop two-piece sets for a polished but budget-friendly fit. I linked some great options below!

Karen Millen Plaid Sweater | Karen Millen Skinny Pants | Paris Texas Knee-High Boots | Chanel Red Handbag

3. Maximize structured boots

Structured boots have made a huge comeback this past fall, and I’m such a proponent of how expensive they make everything look. As seen above, knee-high boots can elevate a pair of leggings and sweater. It would have the same effect even if you wore them over a pair of jeans. If you want to up the luxe factor, be sure to pick one with some snakeskin or croc embossing. 

Karen Millen Green Coat | Karen Millen Knit Dress | Gucci Horsebit Bag | Lack Of Color Green Hat | Similar White Pumps (better for budget here)

4. Mix dark and light colors

I’ve preached about the visual impact of wearing tonal outfits for years, but today, I’m going to switch it up and encourage you to wear high-contrast colors. There’s truly something eye-catching and elegant about wearing black and white – or layering a dark coat on top of a light outfit (or vice versa). The beauty of this is that you can play with bolder colors like green, blue, or oxblood. 

Astr the Label Puff Sleeve Top (also here) | Mother Jeans

5. Keep your style simple

It’s easy to get caught up in the artistic styling and glamour of glossy editorials. However, it really does take a certain level of experience to be able to put together such intricate, striking outfits. Since most of us don’t have access to the same resources as celebrities and stylists, our best bet is to keep things simple. I’m a true believer that less is more. That’s why you’ll often see me repeating the same outfit combinations. Some of those include a dressy top and great pair of jeans or a long coat over a mini dress. You’ll also want to avoid overly flashy pieces with gaudy embellishments or heavily distressed jeans.

xo, Maria

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