There are those mornings when getting dressed seems like an impossible task. Too early, too cold, too much indecision. But a sweater and trousers combo is the one winter-friendly formula that always works. It comes to your rescue when you don’t want to think about your outfit, but still want to look put-together. An unofficial uniform that combines comfort and minimalist style, where small details like textures and accessories make a big difference. It’s the blank canvas for our everyday life, but with the right attention to materials and proportions, it can become anything but mundane.
The secret is to have fun with it: an oversized sweater with straight pants, or vice versa, with clean lines that glide over each other, creating a relaxed but never messy look. From thick wool to lightweight cashmere, the tone changes but not the intention: to look stylish without being too constructed. The trousers define the character of the outfit: classic if they’re tailored, casual if they are made of leather, and sophisticated if they have a wide cut and a high waist.
PARIS, FRANCE – OCTOBER 28: Diane Batoukina wears long straight light brown hair, oversized rectangular sunglasses by Kaleos, a brown suede oversized blazer jacket by Source Unknown, a dark brown knit sweater and matching pants by Dissh, brown suede sneakers by Alohas, and a quilted brown suede Miu Miu bag, holds a smartphone / mobile phone, and a hot drink paper cup from Starbucks coffee, during a street style fashion photo session, on October 28, 2025 in Paris, France. (Photo by Edward Berthelot/Getty Images)Edward Berthelot/Getty Images
If you think a sweater and trousers are synonymous with ‘zero effort’: that’s the beauty of it. You can appear as though you haven’t given your outfit too much thought, when in fact, you have. All it takes is a collar that peeks out, the right pair of earrings or a structured bag to make everything look more intentional. The palette is neutral and earthy: dusty greys, warm browns, glossy blacks and deep navies. The magic is in the balance between practicality and style, between comfort and precision. In the end, it’s a formula that works because it’s simple. It doesn’t try to wow, but it still succeeds.
Below, we detail how to wear a sweater and trousers for winter in 5 trendy outfit combos.
Navy tailored trousers and a white turtleneck
The navy tailored trouser meets the elegance of the white turtleneck in this timeless balance. It’s a look that commits to simplicity and precision: sharp lines, clean colours, zero excess. Perfect for days when you want to look effortlessly chic for almost any occasion – office included!
PARIS, FRANCE – MARCH 08: A guest wears transparent sunglasses, cream turtleneck long sleeve sweater, dark gray Hermès Birkin leather bag, navy blue high waisted loose trouser pants, shiny black heeled loafer moccasin leather shoes, outside Hermès, during the Paris Fashion week Women’s Fall/Winter 2025-2026 on March 8, 2025 in Paris, France. (Photo by Edward Berthelot/Getty Images)Edward Berthelot/Getty Images
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Grey sweater and wide black trousers
A grey turtleneck and a black leather jacket create the perfect foundation for a sharp, refined look. The wide trousers add movement, while the red sweater tied at the waist breaks up the neutral palette with an unexpected splash of colour. It’s the detail that transforms the ensemble from classic to cool, with nonchalance that looks casual but is actually studied to perfection.