Women's Winter Outfits for the Office

Heading into the office on a cold winter’s day can make even the hardest worker miserable, so it’s important to be dressed in a way you can stay warm and work comfortably at the same time. This article on winter work outfits contains everything you need to know about women’s winter clothes in the office, as well as some extra ways you can keep warm in the office this winter!

Quick links

• Winter office wear materials
• Winter work outfits - clothing
• Winter colour themes
• How else to keep warm in the office during winter

Winter office wear materials

Before we get into the clothes themselves, let’s talk about materials. The biggest jacket in the world won’t keep you warm if it’s made from the wrong material - here are some fabrics you should look for when buying winter clothing:

• Wool - ever looked at a sheep all wrapped up in fluffy wool, and thought ‘gee, I wish that was me’? Woollen clothing is the best way to keep warm and snug this winter, so make sure to have some woollen jumpers on hand. If you find wool itchy, try to invest in a nice merino wool piece, as it is softer.
• Leather - waterproof and durable, leather clothing is an investment that, if cared for properly, will get better as it ages and last you a lifetime.
• Fleece - the synthetic material is made from polyester to mimic wool. It is breathable and dries quickly, but isn’t as odour-resistant as natural wool and is also not water-resistant.
• Down - your favourite puffer jacket or doona will be filled with fluffy feathers that insulate you against the cold. Any winter clothing filled with down is a great choice to keep you warm!
• Silk - this natural material wicks away moisture and helps keep the heat in (it’s why it makes for such nice bedding!). Silk should be used as an underlayer only, as it is quite delicate and can be damaged easily.

Moisture-wicking materials are more important than you think in winter. If you are moving or get too warm at work, you are going to sweat - and in winter, this will make you feel cold and clammy. Moisture-wicking materials keep this moisture away from your skin and are vital to staying warm in winter.

Winter work outfits - clothing

Now that you know what kinds of materials to look for, let’s get into the clothes! Most of these categories have casual and formal options, depending on how strict your office is with its dress code.

Underwear and thermals

Putting together the perfect winter work outfit is all about layering, so let’s start with the innermost layer. While you won’t have to change your bra and underwear for winter from your usual suspects, thermal underwear (sometimes known as long underwear) is a valuable second layer that will wick away moisture and keep you warm and dry. Rather than looking like literal underwear, thermal underwear takes the form of leggings and thin tops, either sleeveless or long-sleeved. Because this layer is completely hidden by the rest of your work outfit, you can wear your favourite thermals no matter the formality of your work’s dress code!

Footwear

Pack away your favourite sandals, open-toe heels and any other shoes that expose your feet - it’s time to rug up! If you have to take public transport and walk to get to your job, be prepared to walk on wet pathways and even through puddles.

In a casual workplace, a good pair of stylish boots will help keep your feet dry while also looking fabulous. Ankle boots with a comfortable heel and calf-length boots are both acceptable, and if you can find a pair lined with faux fur, even better! You can also wear a pair of stylish sneakers to a casual workplace, but take care to keep them clean and free from mud if you are wearing them to the office.

In a more formal setting you will need to stick to heeled boots, but you can go from ankle length to knee length to suit your outfit. Choose a lower heel if it makes you more comfortable and be sure to choose materials that are waterproof.

Pants & skirts

Avoid leggings in winter (hopefully you are wearing a pair of thermal leggings already), as your poor legs will feel the cold right through them with insulation.

In a casual office setting, neat denim jeans are always an easy choice but they&rsquo

While they can be tricky to pull off in winter, the sophistication exuded from a cohesively-styled jumpsuit or dress makes them a popular option for work - here's how to keep warm while wearing them!

Long coats are key to making a dress or jumpsuit work in any environment, so make sure to pair yours with one of the nude or black-shaded coats we mentioned above.

In a casual work office, the length of the dress isn't too important, so instead focus on choosing one made of an insulating fabric like wool or fleece.

For a formal office setting, jumpsuits should have sleeves and end at the ankle. A dress should also have sleeves but can end at the knee or calf - floor-length dresses often look either too formal or not formal enough, so avoid them unless it suits your industry. Wear thermal leggings under your dress or jumpsuit to keep the lower half of your body warm in winter.

Accessories

One of the best things about winter is you get to put on all your favourite cold-weather accessories.

Beanies

Any winter beanie will look super cute, but make sure it is made of a thick material that will stop you from losing heat from the top of your head. If you are going to be outside, make sure your beanie covers your ears as well.

Scarves

Keep your chest warm and your neck covered with a layered scarf. Try not to be tempted by the airy, sheer scarves you might accessorise with in summer - instead look for thick fluffy scarves that you can wrap securely around your neck.

Gloves

Choose hardy gloves made out of leather or wool that you can wear to and from the office without making your hands sweaty. Keep an eye out first gloves with fur trim, as they will help keep your wrists warm and stop air from getting inside the glove.

Winter colour themes

When you are putting together your winter office outfit, there are colour themes better suited to the season than others. Here are some popular colour themes you can work with when putting your winter work outfits together:

• Autumn - if you love a warm colour, choosing an autumn-themed palette is a great idea, as it still has the colours you love but in a muted palette. Look for cool reds, browns, greens and mustard yellows for your clothes.

• Stormy ocean - if you weren't in a wintery mood before, you will be after dressing yourself in this colour theme! Deep blues, cool greys and crisp whites all suit a winter theme. Black shoes, coats and leggings can also work with this palette.

• Mulled wine - represent this warming winter drink with a stunning colour theme. Deep purples and cool reds are a must, paired with mustard yellow, deep green and black.

Make sure to sort by colour when browsing our online store to find the perfect clothes to complete your winter work outfit!

How else to keep warm in the office during winter

Besides our clothing, Harris Scarfe has plenty of other helpful products that will keep you warm in the office during winter.

• Find yourself constantly walking to the kitchen and back to make cups of hot coffee or tea? Try keeping your drink in one of our metal thermoses, designed to keep the warmth from your drink from escaping into the cold outside air. Warming your body from the inside is a great way to stay cosy in winter, and the added benefit of staying hydrated will help keep your skin and hair healthy in a season where they can easily dry out otherwise.

• Keep your head and neck warm at your desk! The bulky coat you wear to and from work probably isn't super comfortable for sitting down in all day, so you'll need smaller accessories to keep yourself warm at your desk. A slim scarf (not the bulky one you use outside) and large headphones that cover your ears are simple ways to stop heat escaping that are also comfortable to wear for long periods of time. If you have longer hair, you can also fashion it so it is braided or just lies out around your neck, as a bit of extra insulation against the cold..

• A small blanket can do wonders when it comes to keeping warm in the office. While it can look a little unprofessional to wrap yourself in one at your desk, it's quite acceptable to sit on one or have it draped across your legs. If you can find a smaller one, an electric blanket is a very effective option - but make sure you're allowed to plug it in at your desk first.

Harris Scarfe has all the winter office wear you'll need this season

With the huge variety of women's winter clothes at Harris Scarfe, you'll never be cold at the office again! Check out the full range of women's clothes online, or head to your nearest Harris Scarfe store and our friendly team can help you find the perfect winter outfit in no time.

Need some more ideas on what to wear? Our fashion hub has great ideas on outfits for all occasions, as well as insight into our exclusive collections. And for more style ideas, check out the Winter 2022 Collection.