Winter Wear You’ll Need For Your Next Ski Getaway

Since winter wear trends never quite reach us here in Singapore, packing for a winter getaway or ski trip usually leaves us scratching our heads. What if we’re underpacked, overpacked, or woefully outdated? It’s especially so if you’ve never lived long-term in a wintry climate– many of us have been dutifully wearing the same parka or set of thermals year after year. If you’ve got a vacation to snowy Otepää or a Northern Lights viewing on your calendar, it’s time to refresh your winter wardrobe– this is the guide for you.

The Hottest Winter Wear To Get This Year

Winter Time – Your One-Stop Destination For All Things Winter Wear

If you’d like to pick up all your winter essentials at once, Winter Time is the place to go. As Singapore’s leading winter wear store, Winter Time carries everything you need for cold and rainy climates: hats, gloves, parkas, boots, scarves and wool sweaters, all of which are high-quality and stylish. At three locations– Changi City Point, IMM, and Parkway Parade– you’re never too far from one. Winter Time offers an in-house range of thermal innerwear that fits like a glove and protects you even in subzero temperatures. Finally, keep your eyes peeled for the annual Winter Time sale at the Singapore Expo, where you’ll be able to snag winter wear and luggage for up to 80% off– it’s typically held in November and December.

^{Image credit: Ralph Lauren, Winter Time}

The “Country” Look Is Your Cosy New Winter Staple 

Carrying over from fall, the “countryside” aesthetic is still going strong in Winter 2024/25 and beyond– think woven fabrics like wool in classic patterns like the cable-knit sweater, or Ralph Lauren’s Fair Isle sweater. This trend is relaxed, cosy, and most importantly isn’t too fussy–  if you stick to a muted colour palette, like warm browns and creamy beiges with pops of colour like navy and burgundy, any amount of crazy patterns won’t overwhelm you. Yes, you can reach for those ugly Christmas sweaters– they’ve just found a year-round use.

^{Image credit: Winter Time, Tartan Blanket Co.}

Oversized Silhouettes Add Interest To Your Winter Look

Also gaining popularity are oversized silhouettes– they’re just as leisurely as country wear, just as practical for getting you through the coldest winter nights, and visually interesting. This basic down parka from Winter Time, big and fluffy but fashionably cropped at the waist, pairs perfectly with a sleek pair of leather trousers like these from & Other Stories. To add a touch of the rustic, pair an otherwise slim-fitting outfit, like a trench coat, with a big scarf– this from Love Bonito does the trick to cut a fashionable figure and keep your nose warm. A scarf is also a good accessory for layering: check out this huge collection of patterned scarves from Tartan Blanket Co. if you’d like a fun design.

^{Image credit: Dôen}

A Wool Maxi Skirt For Effortless Elegance 

The wool maxi skirt adds instant elegance to your winter outfit, no matter how puffy you are up top– and, as a bonus, it keeps your legs protected from the winter air. Though flared skirt silhouettes remain popular this year, tailored skirt silhouettes, like the Elowen skirt by Dôen, have become increasingly favoured for their ability to balance out a big trench coat or big down parka. For extra comfort, wear a pair of thermal leggings like these under your skirt, tucked into a pair of boots.

Pieces To Style For Both Summer And Winter

Who doesn’t love a multitasker? If you’re aiming for a capsule wardrobe and want to merge your summer and winter outfits, here are some pieces we’re eyeing that will take you through the seasons.

^{Image credit: Levi’s}

Straight-Leg Jeans: Both Summer and Winter Wear 

A pair of good, structured straight-leg jeans will do wonders for your legs, even in the freezing cold– the XL Straight Jeans by Levi’s is sturdy, ties securely at the waist, and can be styled in both summer and winter. A pair of these in light wash will take you from Singapore city streets, paired with statement sneakers, to the German Christmas markets, paired with these lined boots in brown. We’ve sung the praises of the Levi 501s a few years ago, and will continue to stand by them– they’re versatile, heavily customisable, and timeless. Just remember to layer underneath– Winter Time’s range of thermal wear is good even for temperatures below freezing.

^{Image credit: Hunter}

Rubber Boots Are Here To Stay 

Rubber boots, particularly the ones by Hunter, have been making an appearance almost everywhere: from muddy summer festivals to slippery winter pavements. Wellies in the cold have an obvious use, but they’ve not been fashionable till now, and much less in warm weather. For a boot you’ll style with both sundresses and coats, look to the Original Tall Rain Boots, available in a whopping ten shades. We do, however, prefer the glossy red variant to make a statement.

Keep Your Skin Soft In Winter With Lanolin Cream

Though it’s said to have a distinctly “sheepy” smell, lanolin cream, refined from sheep’s wool as a byproduct of wool processing, is an excellent moisturiser. It can be used in your face, lips, body, hands and feet to soothe scaly skin in cold weather– and, since it’s not particularly heavy, it can be used in summer too. Lots of lanolin on the market is sold as lip balm, like the famous Lanolips, or as nipple balm for breastfeeding mothers. However, if you’d like a really heavy-duty cream for nuclear winter, stop by Winter Time for the Australian Lanolin Oil. 

Ski Fashion: The Best Winter Wear For A Trip To The Slopes 

You’ll need to go much more protective if you’re planning to ski. But don’t layer up too much– bulky clothing isn’t ideal for skiing, since it may hinder your movement. To strike that delicate balance between light and warm, practical and fashionable, consider the following tips:

^{Image credit: Winter Time}

Keep Warm And Stylish With The Active Winter Wear Trend 

With the rise of athleisure, the athletic look has caught on big time, on and off the slopes. A parka like this by Winter Time, in three dual colourways, helps you nail the look– the red and white colourway is particularly reminiscent of those vintage sneakers. Plus, even when you’re off the slopes and headed out to dinner, this jacket can be dressed up with a little bowler bag and heels, plus a pair of fleece tights.

^{Image credit: CALPAK}

A Big Puffer Tote That Doubles as a Weekender 

The big puffer tote has been a trend for a while now, but it’s easy to look out of place unless accompanied by a big puffer jacket. We love the quintessential Big Puffer Tote, the Calpak Luka– this will survive years of travels, and even doubles as a weekender with its countless little compartments and a shoe holder. Though it’s not an on-the-slopes fashion item, it’s good for carrying your jacket when it’s not in use, cameras, a change of clothes, and anything else you’ll need. It’s out of stock right now, but we’ll wait for the Gunmetal shade to come back– it’s got that luxurious metallic sheen that’s on everything right now.

^{Image credit: My Sunday Ski}

Those One-Piece Snowsuits From The 80s 

The one-piece snowsuit is back, and more matchy-matchy than ever– who can forget those SKIMS x The North Face snowsuits that make you look naked from a distance? There’s a certain elegant but a little cheesy, Bond-Girl charm to a matching snowsuit, as there is to every trend born in the 80s. Zip up in a fashionable snowsuit from My Sunday Ski, in a wide range of colourways and designs, that ensure maximum protection and mobility while staying super cute. Our favourite is the Velocity ski suit in navy for a little extra vintage flair.

Where To Go To Brush Up On Your Ski Skills

After all this talk about skiing, we’ll have to give you a place to brush up on your ski skills– it’s no use being best dressed on the course if you’re going to fall flat on your face. Though it’s thirty degrees out right now, fear not: the Singapore Ski and Snowboard Academy is here with a realistic ski simulator suitable for all ages and skill levels, so you can hit the slopes as much as you like right here in the tropics.

All lessons at the SSSA include helmet, protective gear, ski equipment and a ski progress passport to track your lessons with. Classes are available to introductory, beginner, intermediate and advanced skiiers, as well as private classes if you and a group would like exclusive use of the simulator. If you’re interested in snowboarding, there are also snowboarding classes. 

Choose from two locations, Suntec City and Marina Square: both fitted with the same state-of-the-art simulator. For more information and to sign up, visit here.