Sign In
If you’re wondering how to layer your makes this winter to stay warm without feeling dowdy, today’s lookbook can help.
I gathered my favorite winter outfit ideas from Pinterest, then went through hundreds of patterns to show you exactly how to make them. Plus you’ll see my own take on each winter outfit formula.
By the end of this video, you’ll have tons of ideas for what to sew and wear this winter.
Quilted Jacket + Button-up + Pants
First up, we have a cozy, versatile combo: a quilted jacket, button-up shirt, and pants.
In the winter, I have those days when I want to be super warm and comfortable and basically feel like I’m wearing a blanket all day.
That’s where a quilted jacket comes in. I love them, because(1) they are really warm and comfy, (2) they can make a pretty big statement, so they can liven up a casual outfit, and (3) they’re just a great canvas for all kinds of creative sewing.
That’s a winter trifecta for me.
Even though quilted jackets are pretty adapable, I think my favorite way to style them is kind of dressed down and casual. It has that cool, comfortable, relaxed look.
I like the way a quilted jacket looks with jeans and a loose, oversized button-up. You can even layer a T-shirt or henley underneath if you want to add even more warmth and color to your outfit. I just think it lends itself really well to layering.
When I looked through my inspiration in Pinterest (I put a collage above), I noticed I’d saved some quilted jackets that have bright, bold prints. These are great for making a statement. But if you’re not into big statements like that, you could also go with solid neutrals like chambray and beige, or soft florals and checks.
If you want to make this look, here are some pattern and fabric ideas.
I'm wearing Easton, Rachel, Erin, and Alice.
For the coat, try the Easton quilted coat! It’s really cozy, and there’s even a step-by-step sewalong class to help you quilt your fabric.
This is the Easton jacket I made in this beautiful soft floral print, and I absolutely love it. I used a quilting cotton for mine. That’s another thing I like about quilted jackets, you can choose from so many fun prints if you go with a quilting cotton. By the way, if you’re curious, this is a print by Sharon Holland for Art Gallery fabrics from a collection called Kismet.
If you have quilt blocks lying around, you can even use one as a back panel or a fun patch pocket.
For the button-up, try the Rachel shirt. It’s a total classic designed for that chambray layer you can wear to the office or on the weekend.
For the pants, try the Erin trousers. They look great sewn up in linen.
For accessories, I’d keep it casual with chunky boots and warm socks, personally. It just keeps everything really practical and down to earth. But I also liked this idea of T-strap maryjanes with socks if your climate allows it, or even clogs.
A Vest + Knit Top + Trousers
The next outfit formula is a vest paired with a knit top and trousers.
I’ll be honest, I didn’t really “get” vests until last winter when I suddenly decided I had to have one. So I knitted myself a sweater vest, and I ended up wearing it CONSTANTLY. It was my gateway vest.
Now I think they’re seriously underrated, especially in winter. They add an extra layer of warmth, but you don’t have to worry about sleeves getting all bunched up under your coat when you go out.
Plus, vests are just sort of unexpected and look very intentional. I like that kind of bookish quality they add to an outfit. As you can see in my Pinterest board above, I was inspired by coordinated looks in matching vests and pants—plaid, checks, or corduroy all work beautifully.
So here are the patterns I’d recommend to get this look.
I'm wearing the Otto vest with the Noah trousers.
The Otto vest is one of our most popular patterns from this year. It has this great V-neckline and a timeless straight cut. It has princess seams which make it easy to fit, and it’s fully lined. You can make this vest in all kinds of fabrics, like linen, suitings, denim, corduroy, or a lightweight quilted layer.
For the knit top, think about the neckline that you want with your vest. If you make Otto, the V-neck looks so nice with a turtleneck, mock-neck, or a crew neck top. My own personal favorite is the Alice tee. It’s a simple, fitted, long sleeve crewneck short that I’ve made 3 times recently, and I just think it’s the ultimate layering piece for winter.
For the pants, try the new Noah trousers. They have wide legs and a high-rise, and they’re fitted at the waist and hip. They’d look really smart with a form-fitted knit top and a vest.
As for accessories, again, I’d keep it simple with some chelsea boots. But you could also go with some simple heels and colorful tights or socks underneath, which I think has that quirky-but-dapper look.
Sweater Dress + A Blazer
The next outfit formula is so easy to pull together but always looks chic. It’s a sweater dress and a blazer.
Sweater dresses are one of my favorites for throwing on in winter—cozy, stylish, and perfect for layering.
Looking at my Pinterest boards, I found a cozy, chunky cable knit sweater dress as well as some more form-fitting knits.
One of my absolute favorite fabrics to use for sweater dresses is a rib knit. I love rib knits, and I sew with them all the time. If you want more tips for sewing with them, I made a video here: A Guide to Rib Knit Fabrics: How to Sew Stretchy, Stylish Garments.
A blazer is a classic layering piece for a sweater dress. You can wear cropped blazers, long, duster-length blazers, or oversized blazers.
For fabric, you can always wear classic tweeds and plaids in the winter. For solid colors, a camel or cream-colored wool are unexpected options that you can wear year-round.
So, let’s talk about the patterns. I'm wearing the Greer dress and the Keaton blazer.
For the dress, we have quite a few options in the Seamwork catalog, so it might be hard to choose.
The Greer dress was released this fall, and I think it would look so chic with a blazer. Really, any blazer you have. Greer also looks great in rib knits. We used a cream-colored rib knit for one of our samples, and it’s so lovely.
The Jones dress is a great option if you want to use French terry or a really cozy sweater knit. I love how the neckband looks under a blazer.
The Devon dress is another option if you want to go full-on cozy. It has dropped shoulders and a very slight cocoon shape.
All of these sweater dresses would look great paired with the Keaton blazer. If you don’t already have a blazer in your closet, something like Keaton is ideal. It has a relaxed fit that looks great with all kinds of layers.
I think a sweater dress looks really cool with tall boots, which also has the benefit of keeping you extra warm. I like to wear knee-high boots, a long sweater dress, and a relaxed blazer.
You could also add a belt if you want a little more definition, or a big scarf for extra warmth.
Pinafore + A Turtleneck
The next outfit formula is a pinafore and turtleneck. This look layers well under sweaters and wool coats if you need more warmth.
This look is totally classic. You can see so many eras of fashion if you look at my inspiration board.
If you wear stripes, lace, or corduroy, you’ll have a vintage look. Or you can go all black for a chic, modern look.
Try some colorful combinations, too. I found this bright white pinafore with a blue turtleneck. I think a lot of people avoid white in the winter because it feels too summery, but winter whites can look so luxurious. I think this cobalt color paired with white feels really crisp and wintery.
This bright cherry red pinafore would be great for winter around the holidays.
I’ve sewn this exact combination before. The patterns I used were the Dani pinafore, and Lenny dress cropped into a shirt.
Lenny looks great in stripes, black, cream, or a fun solid color. I also really like this lacey fabric I found in this outfit on Pinterest. It’s so fun with the corduroy on the pinafore. You could look for a stretch lace like this and pair it with corduroy.
Another knit layer I like is my Alice tee under the dress. If you’re not into turtlenecks, it’s a great option too.
The Dani pinafore is slightly mod but that silhouette will never go out of style. You can sew it in denim, velvet, or even a suede. I actually used an ultrasuede scuba knit for mine.
To style this, I usually wear black tights and a flat shoe, like my patent loafers or a ballet flat.
And of course, you can add more layers on top for warmth, like a big sweater coat. Jill is a great choice, and this is one I made in a knit boucle.
Oversized Sweater + Loose Pants
Now let’s looks at a truly comfy outfit—a big, cozy sweater with loose pants. It’s easy, laid-back, and chic! When I was looking for inspiration for this outfit formula, I was really drawn to a mix of neutral and basic colors. You can always add color or prints. But, having a few staple pieces in these colors makes it so easy to put together an outfit.
Look for greys, white, beige, black, and all shades in between. You can mix and match however you want.
Another thing you could do is go for a monochromatic look with pants and a sweater in a similar color, but vary the fabrics and texture. I think this looks really intentional and chic, like fancy pajamas.
The power of this outfit formula comes in the oversized silhouette. It’s one of those intentionally messy looks that reads really chic.
Now personally, I think what makes or breaks this look is texture. I’d go for really luxurious fabrics that feel soft against my skin and look really luxe, like silk or fuzzy sweater knits.
So what patterns would I use? I'm wearing the the new Pepper sweater and my trusty Joss pants.
The Pepper sweater is so perfectly oversized with doubled-over cuffs. The member bonus variation is a tunic with side slits, which would look really nice with loose pants. I’m actually planning to make this one in a cashmere knit I picked up, and I can’t wait.
I always recommend the Joss pants. I’ve made this pattern a few times. It’s so comfortable in linen or rayon, and I’m making these for winter in silk for the first time. I cannot wait to swan around the house in my cashmere sweater and silk trousers with a fire going and a cup of cocoa.
If you want to see the other stuff I’m planning to sew for myself this winter, including the exact patterns and fabric I’m using, watch this video, you’ll come away with even more great ideas: Everything I’m Planning to Sew This Winter.
Do you have any outfit formulas you reach for over and over again in the winter? Comment and share!
