From London to Oslo, Fashion People Are Replacing Jeans With This Cosy Yet Elegant Dress Trend

When I say that winter is my favourite season to dress for, it comes with a caveat: it’s only my favourite when I have the time to do it justice.

If my morning is slower, I revel in layering up merino tops and cashmere layers, mixing and matching knitwear and satins and indulging in playful accessories like cosy mittens and sleek scarves. But at the busiest time of the year, those languid mornings are few and far between, and getting dressed during winter can feel like an added task that our extensive to-do lists simply don’t need. My solution? The winter maxi dress.

Easy to throw on and even easier to style, it’s a piece that will consistently serve your wardrobe when the temperatures drop. Whether you’re facing a day in the office, a stroll to your favourite coffee shop or even an evening out, let a maxi do all the heavy lifting this winter.

The elegance of a maxi silhouette speaks for itself, so you don’t have to do much to form a seriously put-together look when you only have five minutes to get ready. For the day, simply slip on boots or flats with a dash of classic jewellery and you’re all set; and for the evening, swap in mules or heeled boots for a more elevated appeal. Finally, call upon your trusted winter coat to pull the ensemble together and you’re ready to take on the day, come rain, shine or even snow.

Taking inspiration from some of our favourite fashion people, I’ve separated the best winter maxi dresses into four categories, covering the most popular, wearable and timeless styles around.