As temperatures drop and a brisk chill settles in across the United Kingdom, the editorial team at Who What Wear UK is executing a well-planned transition from late-summer capsule planning to the serious business of winter dressing. While summer and early autumn allowed for lighter layering and transitional separates, the arrival of truly cold weather has shifted the team’s collective focus toward sumptuous knitwear, timeless outerwear, sturdy boots, and the small, tactile luxuries that make facing freezing winter mornings significantly more bearable.
Operating with a strict anti-gatekeeping policy and a group chat constantly pinging with fresh finds, the fashion desk thrives on uncovering the pieces truly worth knowing about. To offer readers a rare, authentic glimpse into how professional style editors actually allocate their shopping budgets, the team has opened up their personal wish lists for the season. From elevated everyday essentials destined for heavy repetition to standout cult buys primed for rapid sell-outs, this is the definitive insider’s edit of the most covetable items defining winter style.
Poppy Nash, Associate Business Director
For Poppy Nash, Associate Business Director, winter style revolves around efficiency, polish, and seamless transitions from desk to dinner. Nash relies on a tried-and-true office uniform that adapts to nearly any professional or social scenario: a smart jacket paired with classic denim and a dressy shoe.
To anchor this rotation, Nash has set her sights on the Massimo Dutti Cropped Jacquard Detail Jacket. Designed to bridge the gap between casual daytime denim and sophisticated evening wear, the piece offers structure without feeling overly formal. Complementing her tailored outerwear preference is a recent discovery: the Slow Living Wool Cashmere Jumper from premium womenswear label ArteOf. Characterized by exceptionally luxurious fabrics and relaxed fits, the knitwear piece is tailor-made for weekends spent by the fire or bracing coastal walks.
Completing Nash’s winter wishlist is a piece that challenges conventional seasonal styling rules: the Leset Barb Satin Wide-Leg Pants. While satin trousers are frequently relegated to warm-weather wardrobes, Nash advocates for year-round wearability through strategic layering. By pairing the trousers with a baggy tee, a chunky knit, and shearling footwear, she achieves a masterclass in winter comfort that refuses to compromise on sartorial elegance.
Imani-Nia Francis-Tsolaki, Junior Fashion Editor
Junior Fashion Editor Imani-Nia Francis-Tsolaki approaches winter dressing with a distinct penchant for statement textures and high-impact accessories, proving that cold-weather fashion does not require abandoning personality.
At the top of Francis-Tsolaki’s outerwear wishlist is the Nour Hammour Nina Tiger-Print Shearling Coat. The bold statement piece serves as an effortless focal point, transforming a simple daily uniform of basic tees and everyday denim into something genuinely extraordinary. For accessories, she turns to The Attico’s L’altra Di Milano Leather Shoulder Bag, bringing structural sophistication to her daily carries.
When evening engagements call for festive footwear, Francis-Tsolaki looks to the Saint Laurent Secret Slingback Pumps in Leopard Grosgrain. Defying the impulse toward seasonal hibernation, she champions footwear built for the demands of an active social calendar. Though low in heel height, the slingbacks deliver maximum drama, proving that party-season footwear can balance practicality with high-fashion flair.
Florrie Alexander shares a similar appreciation for tactile winter dressing, anchoring her personal wish list with the SoftGoat Alpaca Cardigan in anthracite melange. Described as soft yet non-itchy, and cozy without being overwhelming, the cardigan functions as an ideal transitional piece currently styled with wide black trousers and destined to layer effortlessly under heavy wool coats as the season progresses.
Alexander also champions MOTHER Denim and their sculpting Reifler jeans in an early blue wash, praising the brand as severely underrated for lovers of classic, rigid, straight-leg denim. To finish her looks, she highlights the Jimmy Choo Cinch Medium bag in black soft-shiny biker leather, noting that its glossy patent finish and striking gold hardware provide the ultimate finishing touch to pared-back outfits without the need for excessive jewelry.
Remy Farrell, Fashion Editor
Fashion Editor Remy Farrell brings a strict philosophy to cold-weather dressing: while fashion risks are encouraged, outerwear is one area where function must match aesthetic ambition.
Farrell’s top pick for enduring the winter freeze is the Rise & Fall Women’s Reversible Shearling Funnel Neck Jacket in bone. Praised for its sumptuously soft construction and five-star quality ratings, the jacket offers dual styling potential while successfully guarding against low temperatures. For layering beneath outerwear, Farrell has fully embraced oversized, slubby silhouettes, specifically highlighting the Sezane Anatole Merino Wool Jumper in mottled beige. Moving away from standard jersey crew necks, Farrell notes that relaxed, baggy fits in premium merino wool elevate everyday casualwear.
For footwear, Farrell recommends the COS Croc-Effect Leather Loafers, noting they successfully tick every box for design and fit while remaining well under the £150 threshold. To combat grim, wet days with a touch of whimsy, she rounds out her list with OMHU’s Bogø Mittens on a string, combining practical warmth with a cheery aesthetic lift.
Maxine Eggenberger, Editor
Editor Maxine Eggenberger believes that festive dressing should never be restricted strictly to party season. This philosophy is embodied in her choice of the ROHE Santi Velvet Jacket in decadent copper velvet, a statement piece that serves as an excuse to plan memorable winter evenings.
Continuing the opulent, opera-inspired trend currently dominating the fashion landscape—characterized by robe coats, long gloves, and slip dresses—Eggenberger also highlights the Hai Cala Bag in black as a masterclass in modern cocktail-bag styling. To ground these rich textures, she turns to the Reformation Yoanna Flat Mule in chocolate satin. Providing a sophisticated alternative to trainers, the chocolate satin mules elevate everyday denim and grey knit pairings with effortless refinement.
Ava Gilchrist, Fashion Writer
Fashion Writer Ava Gilchrist found unexpected inspiration while researching vintage robe coats, leading her directly to the Hayley Menzies Olsen Satin Coat in black. The piece merges the elegance of antique design with modern construction and longevity.
For trousers, Gilchrist favors the POSSE Rosanna Pant, a beaded design that bypasses standard capris in favor of a fun, flirty silhouette. Ideally styled with kitten heel mules and a substantial faux fur coat, the trousers balance playfulness with evening sophistication. She pairs this aesthetic with the Monsoon Scarlet Beaded Fringe Clutch Bag, completing a look explicitly designed for the dance floor.
Natalie Munro, News Editor
News Editor Natalie Munro approaches winter evening wear with a preference for sleek minimalism over traditional sequins and jewel tones. To navigate festive party invitations without relying solely on the standard Little Black Dress, Munro turns to the Reformation Lilibeth Cape, a sheer outerwear piece that redefines the concept of "jeans and a nice top."
For footwear capable of withstanding unpredictable British weather while maintaining high-fashion standards, Munro selects the Khaite Clive Leather Boots. Blending weather-resistant durability with sharp design, the boots ensure the wearer looks effortlessly put-together during heavy winter rains. Finally, she rounds out her selections with the Anna Sui Bead-Embellished Fringe-Trimmed Velvet Shoulder Bag, capturing the ornate, ostentatious textures defining the season.
