Winter Outfits for London & Paris
how I styled cold-weather outfits for a client in London and my outfit planning strategy for Christmas in Paris
Hi! Hope you’re staying warm and cozy wherever you are this holiday season. I’m off to Paris next week for Christmas break!
I’ve been bundled up in SF all month. Not to be dramatic (I totally am being dramatic), but this is my first California winter (out of 17) where I’ve had to reach for gloves and throw on heavier wool coats I usually only wear on the East Coast. But I‘m secretly loving the fact that my coats and winter accessories are getting so much action right now.
For this send I’m sharing a Mini Lookbook I recently styled for a client in London. You’ll get a peek inside my brain: my styling thought process, how I approached winter dressing in the city, and how I pushed new styling ideas to someone who prefers to stay in their comfort zone.
The client
A London professional who wants fresh winter outfits that feel chic, cool, confident, and most importantly, warm. She goes to the office a few times a week, spends her weekends going to art galleries and the theatre, hanging out with friends, and walking her dog. She doesn’t want to be pushed too far out of her comfort zone and is happy with her current wardrobe.
Style words: Elegant, Luxe, Playful
Specific needs: Warm yet refined outfits for a smart casual workplace in London, winter weekend outfits for London and Paris.
Weekend: Daytime casual
The client specifically asked for a daytime casual outfit built around her Celine Chelsea boots for hanging out during the weekend. Since the boots are on the chunkier side, I went for a slim jean to keep the look streamlined. A wider leg jean could also work, but I was already considering her By Malene Birger faux fur jacket to complete this outfit. Proportion-wise, you don’t want top, middle, and bottom to feel heavy throughout.
I always keep in mind how a client wants to feel in these outfits while creating looks. This particular client wants to feel chic, cool, and confident (her own words) even on the weekends, and I thought a luxe and playful faux fur jacket would instantly get her there. Her aesthetic also leans on the elegant side — accessories like a textured belt and leather tote keep the outfit refined.
And because the jacket is already the outfit, I kept the base layers slim, simple and neutral. I mentioned that she’d probably be warm enough in the ivory turtleneck + faux fur jacket, but in case she needed another layer, throwing on a slim charcoal pullover adds warmth without additional bulk.
Weekend: Dinner at a restaurant
The client asked for an outfit to wear to dinner at a restaurant, but didn’t specify a dress code. Knowing that her style leans dressy and elegant, I wanted to create a look around her Nour Hammour shearling number. Because the coat is the outfit. She also had a new pair of leopard trousers that hadn’t been styled yet, which immediately caught my eye.
I think it’s easy to default to a monochromatic look for the evening as a “safe” option, especially in a city like London or Paris. There’s nothing wrong with that, but I wanted to sprinkle in some pattern and texture for the actual dinner outfit hiding under the coat. The leopard trousers paired back to a black cashmere cardi keeps things refined, and the lace cami peeking through adds a dash of confidence and playfulness.
One thing I noticed about my client’s outfits: she tends to match her shoes and bags. I wanted to push her a bit out of her comfort zone, so instead of a black evening bag, I suggested her oxblood Bottega mini Sardine for a touch of edge and texture. That pop of deep red woven leather and gold hardware feels luxe against her shearling coat and compliments the leopard trousers without clashing for attention.
Small adjustments like opting for a bag in a different color or texture can go a long way. I love learning how a client reacts to these minor tweaks, especially when they prefer to not be pushed too much, style-wise.
Weekday: Smart casual at the office
I also noticed my client’s go-to outfit for the office: a luxe sweater paired with a maxi slip skirt and low-heeled boots. I wanted to recreate this combo with a fresh spin that will keep her polished and warm at work. Instead of a solid slip skirt, I went for a printed Dries wrap skirt (with tights underneath), paired with a slim turtleneck, tucked in the skirt, and her stunning Rohe mandarin jacket layered like a blazer.
I intentionally chose a contrasting bag that’s roomy enough for her office essentials (instead of her go-to woven brown leather) to keep the outfit from looking too matchy-matchy paired with the textured brown boots. And since she’s already wearing a jacket as her 2nd layer, I went for an oversized coat to make sure there’s enough room throughout.
2026 Styling Sessions
Virtual Styling Sessions and Wardrobe Resets are now open for January!
A one-hour video session with me is great for solving a specific style challenge or for getting new outfit ideas using your existing pieces with a few recommendations sprinkled in.
A Wardrobe Reset is perfect if you want to have a closet that makes sense instead of one that overwhelms you. A great way to start the new year, this is for you if you’re ready (and have the bandwidth) to collaborate with me on transforming your closet into a wardrobe you actually use.
You can also book a complimentary consult first so I can help you figure out the best service that fits your needs. If you’re still looking for a last-minute gift, personal styling gift certificates are available for purchase.
A quick Indyx update: you can now choose a Mini Lookbook on the Indyx app. You’ll get three styled outfits from your own digital wardrobe, no recommendations included. This is perfect for a lightweight seasonal refresh, or to try out different stylists to see if you’re a good fit. If you need product recommendations and have an existing digital wardrobe, book the standard Lookbook (10 outfits plus 6 recommendations.)
In case you missed it:
Behind the paywall:
15+ winter coats (across multiple price points) I personally recommend to my clients
A sneak peek of outfits (with links) and what I’m packing for Christmas break in Paris
Straight from my notes app: niche retail and vintage spots, restaurants, and bars I’m planning to hit up in Paris
Winter Coat Edit
