When fashion editors talk about a capsule wardrobe, often, it's the white T-shirt, black oversized blazer and wide-leg trousers that get most of the credit. But when it comes to this time of year, it's the layering pieces that deserve all the recognition. While I could wax lyrical about Uniqlo's thermals that are hidden beneath all my winter outfits, sometimes, you want layers to be seen. Because like a brilliant jumper underneath a jacket or a roll neck peeking out from underneath a shirt, it's these items that can add dimension to your new season looks. And there's one––often overlooked––item that most fashion people are wearing loud and proud right now: the hoodie.

Whether it's just the hood poking out underneath a wool maxi coat, a zip-up style worn as a top with baggy jeans or a logo iteration with leggings for running errand days, there's no shortage of surprisingly chic ways to style the humble hoodie. Need further proof? Keep scrolling to get some inspiration on how to embrace a hoodie for winter 2024/25, and then shop my favourite styles for all price points.

Style Notes: When you own a Celine hoodie, there's no way you're going to hide it. Grece shows how a zip-up style––worn as a top––looks effortless with wide-leg trousers and polished accessories.

Style Notes: Under a sleeveless jacket, a coat or an oversized blazer, a classic hoodie can give a whole new feel to your favourite winter warmers.

Style Notes: Busy women often need practical clothes, and a hoodie is one of those throw-on-and-go items you can wear to head to a gym class or just for a low-key weekend look.

Shop Best Hoodies For Women:

1. Hoodies Under £50

2. Hoodies Under £100

3. Hoodies Under £200

4. Hoodies Under £500

5. Hoodies Under £1000

When it comes to casual outfit ideas involving jeans, do as Katie Holmes does, because she keeps nailing it, and her latest denim outfit further proves it. An outfit that includes skinny jeans and a hoodie isn't particularly luxurious, even if said jeans and hoodie are designer, but Holmes made it so this week while out and about in New York. So let's break it down.

When she woke up that morning, Holmes reached for light-wash skinny jeans and an orange hoodie. Sure, that's a cool outfit. But then perhaps she thought, How can I make this outfit a little bit chicer? Then came a camel coat (which is a fail-safe way to make any outfit look expensive), lace-up ankle boots, a fedora, and a shoulder bag. Voila, you have a very luxurious-looking outfit that's easy to create and comfortable to wear. As you can see, it's all about the add-ons, so if you have a camel coat and some elevated accessories on hand, skinny jeans and a hoodie can transform into a chic, expensive-looking outfit. Scroll to shop the Katie Holmes-approved look for yourself.

On Katie Holmes: Nanushka Lana Double Breasted Coat; Strathberry Lana Midi Bucket Bag; Evolvetogether Face Mask.

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Next up, our guide to the key trends for autumn winter 2020. 

Opening image: Getty

Hoodies have for a long time had a rather scruffy reputation. However, this winter it's not just Justin Bieber who is living in a hooded sweatshirt. This week I keep noticing even the smartest of dressers wearing a hoodie snuggled underneath their blazers and tailored coats, showing this isn't just a student staple.

The key here is to keep the rest of the outfit quite structured and contrast the tailoring with a cosy hoodie in either camel, grey, navy or a soft pastel. Think mixing a pair of heeled boots, black trousers, smart camel coat and a leather shoulder bag with a grey marl hoodie and a knitted beanie. This layering trick is the perfect way of easing back into getting properly dressed after a week in pyjamas—you look smart, but it means you don't need to let go of loungewear just yet. Keep scrolling for ideas for how to style a hoodie in a smarter fashion—and shop the look for yourself.

Style Notes: Stick to a neutral colour palette, with browns, camels and greys.

Style Notes: Ada wears a simple grey hoodie underneath her checked skirt suit.

Style Notes: Stacey Dooley is the queen of loungewear, and here she wears a grey hoodie with an oversized leopard coat.

Style Notes: We love this simple combination of straight-leg jeans, a grey hoodie and camel coat.

Style Notes: The checked coat smartens up the tracksuit bottoms, trainers and grey hoodie.

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Next up, see our guide to the key trends for spring and summer 2020.

Our most worn item of clothing in our wardrobe? Our hoodies. Yes seriously, we love them. Okay, so maybe not our most worn piece of all—jeans have to take that crown—but they do come a very close second. Which is why we decided to design our range: the A Style Album I AM LOVED hoody really has been a labour of love. Combining all the things we appreciate and avoiding everything we dislike from our existing hooded sweatshirt collections to design our dream style that we’ll wear everywhere; from the school run to the gym, to meetings and for dinner (maybe not all in the same day!) meant that it had to be the perfect length, shape, colour and thickness of sweatshirt fabric. We finally got there.

Hoodies, for some, are thought of as something you pull on when you want to be a complete slob, or something that you grew out of wearing, but we’re here to prove they can be worn in a grown-up, smarter way. Like with so many tricky items, it's really all about how they are styled. They are like our comfort blanket—we instantly feel relaxed when we pull one on. The colours we’ve designed are super versatile and will be easy to mix and match into your existing wardrobe. Looking stylish while staying comfortable is the key for us, so if you haven't already it’s time to embrace the hoodie. Keep reading to see how we always style them out…

HOODIE OUTFIT #1: Smarten Up With a Blazer

Our favourite way to wear a hoody, team under a blazer and instantly get a smart/casual look. This look works with trousers and heels if you need a smarter vibe for the office or team trainers for smart/casual.

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Related: I'm in My 30s, and This Is How I Shop Topshop

HOODIE OUTFIT #2: Add Leather Trousers for a Night Out

Yes, a hoodie and leather trousers go perfectly together and make for an alternative night-out look. Just add heels, and you’re good to go. Plus the bonus is a hooded sweatshirt hides all sins when going heavy on the carbs!

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Related: How to Dress in Your 30s, as Told by Four Very Stylish Women

HOODIE OUTFIT #3: Cropped Jeans and Your Favourite Shoes

You can still wear a hoodie casually without veering into slob territory, team with your fave cropped denim jeans and add a pair of high-tops, and you have a stylish off-duty combo. Our hoodies are designed to be worn slightly oversized, teaming with skinny jeans will balance out proportions and will soon become your everyday staple.

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HOODIE OUTFIT #4: Hoodies and Skirts Can Work in Harmony

It's understandable that you automatically graviate towards trousers and jeans instead of skirts to wear with your hoodies, but we're into the idea of wearing them with a midi skirts and heels—slouchy but still appropriate enough for a work day.

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Related: 11 Steps to Finding Your Personal Style and Sticking to It