8 new winter aesthetics: unlocked
chooser your fighter from these unique (and completely made up) style personas for your consideration.
Happy [insert whichever days of the week underwear you’re currently wearing]!
Let’s cut to the chase.
Basically, I got fatigued with all the mood boards and style personas my “algorithm” has been feeding me. *Sigh* And to prove I’m not some kind of screen-time influencee vegetable that willingly devours every aesthetic morsel I’m presented with… I’ve decided to close my mouth.
In the metaphorical process of gorilla gluing my lips together, I challenged myself to create my own unique winter aesthetics. If you’re in the mood for something different, semi-ridiculous, or maybe exactly what you’re looking for, you’ve come to the right place.
(Anti-Martha Stewart) Chic, Cozy Tomato Homebody
I know what you’re thinking. And you’re wrong (if you’re thinking IT). This is not your average “I just watched the Martha Stewart documentary” mood board. Because you would know, if you actually watched it, that Martha Stewart does not like the color red. And (preferably an orangeyish) red is the most important part of this aesthetic.
Key Ingredients
Neutral grey/cream/white sweaters
Oversized cozy fit
Tomato/orangey red pops of color
Books, books, & books!
Messy natural hair or braids
Red painted wood (that you of course did yourself… at home!)
Reduce, Reuse, & Recyber Girl
I’m always a sucker for clothing made of “things.” It’s my favorite kind of art form, actually (S/O to Gabbois & Nicole Mclaughlin).
This specific aesthetic is what I have the potential to become, once I finally finish the up-cycled keyboard shirt I’ve been working on for the past (almost) two years.
Will this style keep you warm in the winter? Well, not necessarily. This is only recommended for true punks who are dedicated to keeping it real even as seasons change.
But on the off chance you do care about something as silly as being warm… here’s the infamous keyboard puffer.
Key Ingredients
Up-cycled watches
Basically up-cycled anything that can cover your body
Cool neutrals (greys, whites, creams)
Silver jewelry (exclusively)
Hardware that you’d find a Best Buy… not Lowes
Hunter Schafer energy & a bit of an attitude
Cobalt Cruella
This aesthetic is basically the fan fiction version of The Substance (2024) if the only difference was that Elisabeth Sparkle’s yellow coat was cobalt blue. Hard to imagine, I know.
Fashion forecasters, I see your deer print and raise you… my much chicer, often overlooked Dalmatian print.
Key Ingredients
Cobalt blue statement pieces (duh)
Winter wear so smooth & sleek it looks like water
Opacity play & layering pieces
(Faux) Dalmatian fur accessories
Black leather accessories (gloves, bags, belts, heels)
(Snug as a Bug in a Rug) Midnight Minimalism // Soft Obsidian
Off-duty supermodel? No, it’s much more nuanced than that.
Think clean girl fashion aesthetic meets, The Row (if it were more comfy, more slouchy, more knit) with a dash of the natural evolution of American Horror Story: Coven and the Arctic Monkification of Tumblr in 2013.
Lots of factors at play here. This one is probably the most trendy one on the list, though I don’t feel like people in the real world embrace wearing all black like they used to. Bummer. More for me.
Key Ingredients
Slouchy black knits // turtlenecks
Black tights
Baggy silhouette on top — smaller as you work down to the legs & shoes
Margiela Tabis or dupes (this is a safe space), flats, or loafers
Long, virtually un-styled hair
Big, black totes (like a Coach Empire bag sort)
Chic American Craft Store Clown
This aesthetic was inspired by me (wow, muse). My go-to outfit recently has been a cherry red sweater + my Levi 501s. Nothing looks more visually pleasing to me right now than red + medium/dark denim, so I wanted to play around with this as a base.
I thought the handmade, crafty accessories could elevate this style into something truly unique —almost like if Mia Goth’s Pearl lived in modern-day rural Texas.
Key Ingredients
Cherry red
Oversized yet structured knitwear
Dark denim — maxi skirts, baggy jeans, overalls
Buttons, bows, gingham accessories
Quilted bags, handmade denim totes
DIY embellishments added to clothing
Slutty Anna Wintour Winter
Listen up, all my wannabe fashion editors —you must dress for success. I don’t make the rules.
Ingredients:
Brown fur coat… but elevated as a dress or with a hood, additional colors mixed in, etc.
Giant black sunglasses
Substack (all adventurous women do…)
Ralph Lauren Stirrup Watch
Croc skin journal for snarky notes
A stare that could kill 1000 men
Pocket-sized Hamish Bowles
Suede Blues Traveler or Denim Dylan
I haven’t even seen the new Bob Dylan movie that Kylie’s boyfriend is starring in yet. But denim and brown are eu so cool, regardless.
Here’s a little bone for the people who won’t stop wearing Canadian Tuxedos because all their denim just accidentally matches and it’s not their fault, so why would they not wear it altogether if the universe aligns that way?
Ingredients:
Structured brown suede jacket
Denim jeans (dark or light wash) or jumpsuit
Softer denim button-up shirt for layering
White t-shirts or button-ups (also for layering)
Reversible vintage industrial strength black/brown belt (you know the ones)
Giant brown suede bag —maybe even with a belt buckle
Black work boots for your jeans to nicely drape over or black pointed boots for something nicer
‘Don’t Think Twice It’s Alright’ stuck in your head like a RFK’s brainworm
Red Wine Supernova Cowgirl
She’s classy. She loves menswear. She’s still feminine.
Ingredients
Oversized grey blazers
Wine red accessories, layering pieces, or shoes
Medium-sized handbags or clutches
Almost sheer tights / mini skirt under your giant blazer
Brown/white cow print fur accessories
Dark strappy heels (the more straps the better!)
As always, thanks for reading this nonsense —let me know which one is your favorite or if you have any plans to completely drop your own identity to embody any of these 8 aesthetics as your new full-time job.
omg I am OBSESSED with the names, what a delightful and fun fashion read! You just earned yourself a new subscriber ;)
LOVE!