Nailing winter style revolves around these seven key lessons

We’ve got good news and bad news: Winter is only one month away. While we regret to bid a fond farewell to our favourite summer dresses, tees and espadrilles, we can’t wait to get the hottest new winter threads in our mitten-clad hands.

As we settle in to the chillier months, avoiding the temptation to live in our track-pants and down jackets may be great, but they definitely won’t be scoring you points on anyone’s ‘street style’ list. But what if we told you that you could be cosier than a bear in hibernation but with as much je ne sais quois as Olivia Palermo? It’s true – and French Connection's new season offerings have us praying for snow in Auckland, with their luxe fabrications, fashion-forward colour palettes, and snuggly knits ready for layering.

Check out our seven key style lessons to help you get your winter wardrobe in order before winter officially hits next month.

1. Invest in a timeless winter coat
Despite sounding a little obvious, we’re huge subscribers to the idea of spending our hard-earned pennies on a coat that will last more than one season. Look for timeless silhouettes – think pea coats, military-style capes, ponchos and anoraks – to ensure the piece will still be on trend for winters to come. We’re loving this dusky rose-hued pea coat with rope fasten detailing:

2. Celebrate the little details
Two words: pom poms. Or is that one word? Nevertheless, they’ll be just about EVERYWHERE this season. We vote the bigger the better, and will be rocking them on scarves, beanies, and hairbands this winter. And it doesn’t stop there – tassels, ruffles, and intricate embroidery will all be taking centre stage this season to give your wardrobe an instant update. We dare you to try and steal the Shake Your Pom Pom Scarf from our frozen fingers…

3. Embrace your wild side
Discover your prints charming and explore your own imagination with playful animal prints in contrasting hues. You don’t want to play it too safe here, clash colours and patterns for a truly fashion-forward finish. Geometric foxes and boisterous cats frolic with birds’ mid-flight and twirling butterflies in a foray of fauna-inspired prints.

4. Don't be afraid to play with colour 
Gone are the days of an all-black winter wardrobe, this season embrace shades of dusky rose pink, navy, cornflower blue, punchy peach and utilitarian khaki. Stand out from the crowd by mixing and matching light layers in contrasting hues. This super cute butterfly knit caught our attention for all the right reasons.

5. Try out texture
Winter is totally the time to test the limits with touch-me textures on jackets, pants and knits. Up the snug factor in this Fluffy Spot Cardigan, crafted from jacquard fabrication, which adds the ultimate après ski vibe when paired with light denim, a simple white tee and beanie.

6. Keep your look balanced
Prefer your pins? Get ‘em out! Amazed by your arms? Show us! Pick out your favourite feature and highlight that with your winter dressing. But, beware of keeping your look totally balanced. The general rule of thumb is that if one area is left bare, cover up the next. Much like the Honeybird Dress, if your legs are out to party, ensure your arms and décolleté are well covered to ensure you still look super chic.

7. Get your shine on
A hint of metallic will cement your look firmly in 2017. Have fun with glittery fabrications, metallic sheen, or high-shine sequins to inject visual interest to your overall look. Give the Metallic Pleated Midi a twirl and we can guarantee you won’t be able to take it off.

This season, French Connection has curated the ultimate winter collection to ensure you stay hot during the cooler months. Perfect in palette and playful elements, there’s something to suit just about everyone’s signature style. Shop these looks here. 

Want to try these epic winter looks for yourself? Remix has a $500 winter wardrobe to give away, thanks to our friends at French Connection. Simply fill out your details below to be in to win!

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*T’s & C’s: The competition is open to New Zealand residents only, between the promotion dates of Monday 8 May 2017, and Sunday 4^th June, 2017. The winner will be drawn on Monday 5^th June at 5pm, and will be notified by email. Entries become the property of both the sponsor and Remix magazine and will not be returned. Employees of the sponsor, its affiliates, subsidiaries and the promotion agency (Remix magazine) are not eligible to win the prize.