4 Winter Style Trends to Elevate Your Soft Life

By Kathleen Owens
Photo: H&M
Photo: H&M
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Come winter, we all could use a little more softness in our lives. Cozy fabrics, fuzzy textures, relaxed silhouettes, and creamy colors can offset the heaviness (i.e. the bulkier clothing and darker colors) the season often brings. But softness isn't just a wardrobe choice, it's a way of life.

A "soft-girl" lifestyle is one of gentleness and warmth. It's comfy mornings spent journaling and sipping tea; it's slowing down to enjoy simple pleasures; it's cocooning at home in front of a fire. These are the vibes we all need as the days grow colder and shorter and we dust off our thickest coats.

Ahead, find our soft-girl take on four of the season's most prominent trends. With a focus on comfort and style, these are the pieces you'll want to live in all winter long — keeping you cute through every scrapbooking project, baking endeavor, and rom-com binge.


All That Glitters
H&M

All That Glitters

Sparkles, sequins, and delicate embellishments are cornerstones of the soft-girl aesthetic. They're also trending in our feeds, and party season is the perfect time to indulge. To start, try swapping everyday basics for pieces with a little (or a lot) more sparkle. A crystal collar on a cardigan is low-key yet striking, and stands out when layered underneath a blazer or jacket. For higher impact, slip into rhinestone jeans or a sparkle-knit tee. Soft-girl philosophy believes anything can benefit from the sparkle treatment — loungewear included. Nothing feels softer than curling up with a romance novel in sequined boxer shorts and glittery socks to match.

Ribbed and Ready
H&M

Ribbed and Ready

Soft girlies just want to be cozy, and ribbed fabrics help get the job done in style. It's no wonder these pieces start trending every fall and winter; they're versatile, comfortable, and make everything including lounge pants feel more elevated. A ribbed sweater dress or ribbed mock-neck blouse are polished for work and parties, and everything from ribbed sweaters to ribbed beanies and scarves (bonus points if they're in pastels) are dreamy for romanticized winter walks and brunches with friends.

At Ease Refinement
H&M

At Ease Refinement

Even soft girls have responsibilities and commitments to attend to. When your 9-to-5 calls for pieces with a little more polish, lean into oversized shapes and relaxed fits, which happen to be trending hard. Think: less serious and confined and more fluid and roomy. Wide-leg pants are the sweatpants of formalwear and look even more refined paired with a boyfriend blazer or airy blouse. For peak comfort, opt for a flowy midi dress and sophisticated flats. It may not be your favorite fleece blanket, but as far as sitting in an office (or at your nephew's school pageant) goes, it's about as cozy as you can get.

A Soft Touch
H&M

A Soft Touch

Anything furry or fluffy is the ultimate feel-good fashion choice, making it ideal for any soft-girl aesthetic. When craving extra comfort, snuggle up in brushed cashmere, faux fur, and lightweight yarn. It's an easy trend to get behind when there's a biting chill in the air, but this season in particular is seeing a rise in all things fuzzy for all sorts of occasions. Friend's birthday dinner? A brushed-knit maxi skirt has all the appeal of a cozy throw while honoring the dress code. Holiday party? Show up in a glamorous faux fur coat over a slip dress. Whether it's a fur-trimmed collar or cuff, a classic fur jacket, or simply a feather-like quality to an exceptionally soft pullover, achieving our soft-girl dreams has never looked — or felt — better.