Celebrity Style Staples Through The Years (And Which Ones Should Return)

From snow-frosted Christmas markets to cosy winter lodges, winter is fashion’s warmest comeback. And who better to inspire your next snug look than female celebrities who revive and reinvent seasonal trends? Seasonal style endures beautifully, and as seen through a handful of iconic women, it becomes even more interesting when you consider the meaning behind their staples. Whether dressing for a party or a casual day at work, their choices might inspire your next winter outfit.

Sabrina Carpenter, who has risen rapidly in the fashion scene this past year, has helped revive a traditional winter staple: seasonal knitwear. Once purely practical, knitwear has become an iconic fashion symbol. Sabrina gives it a playful twist by pairing jumpers with mini skirts and go-go boots in pastel tones, echoing the 1960s youthquake era when fashion celebrated pop stardom. She modernises this with sparkly skirts and faux-fur coats, nodding to the soft, playful Y2K aesthetic. Her knitted jumpers, often in red or blue, paired with plaid skirts and hair accessories like earmuffs, headbands, chunky scarves and occasional berets, blend cosy and glamorous, transforming an ordinary winter look into a pop-star moment.

While Sabrina channels 2000s pop glamour, Taylor Swift demonstrates that some classics never fade, wearing winter with a timeless, cosy style. Around 2012, her winter looks were ubiquitous, and they continue to inspire today. A signature piece was her burgundy duffle coat. Historically popular from the 1950s, worn by intellectuals and pop icons alike, its status in pop culture was cemented by Paddington Bear. Taylor often paired the coat with a matching beanie, plaid scarf, patterned skirt or statement tights — a nod to 1960s patterns, which resurfaced in the 2010s thanks to celebrities like her. Her colour choices and patterned accessories make outfits cosy, stylish and functional, and her frequent pairing of the duffle coat with plaid skirts shows how enduring this classic combination is.

Lily-Rose Depp modernises Taylor’s millennial looks while embracing pieces rich in historical meaning. Her winter wardrobe blends Parisian chic with bold modernity. Vintage leather jackets worn with off-the-shoulder jumpers and denim mix 90s Parisian coquette with contemporary style. She layers dark and neutral shades, balancing schoolgirl charm with sophistication through her revival of the plaid skirt and tights. Originally emerging in 16th- and 17th-century Scotland as kilts, tartan became a symbol of clan loyalty and later aristocratic elegance, before schools and designers like Vivienne Westwood reinterpreted it. Lily-Rose adds her own touch with light berets, scarves, sunglasses, ballet flats or Mary Janes and a small vintage handbag. By blending historical patterns with a modern Parisian twist, she creates a winter wardrobe that is both timeless and personal.

Zendaya, meanwhile, offers a distinctly modern approach. She pairs contemporary outerwear with everyday items to create striking contrasts. Rebellious streetwear — combat boots and relaxed trousers — meets high-fashion pieces like wool coats, trench coats and turtlenecks. Her palette ranges from neutral tones to occasional pops of colour, and her focus on proportions — such as wide-leg trousers with heels and long tailored coats — adds old Hollywood glamour to her modern looks. Minimal accessories allow the polish of her outfits to shine. Elements like oversized puffer jackets and combat boots nod to 90s grunge, while muted tones feel distinctly contemporary. Zendaya’s style blends classic, modern and streetwear influences in a cohesive, individual aesthetic.

These style icons offer different routes and aesthetics for winter dressing, blending contemporary trends with millennial influences. Some staples endure particularly strongly: the tartan pattern, as styled by Taylor and Lily-Rose, still conveys elegance and sophistication. Fashion tights and duffle coats also have strong potential for a comeback this winter, while Zendaya’s and Sabrina’s more modern styles have dominated recent seasons. Together, these celebrities show that winter fashion can be cosy, chic and endlessly inspiring.

©Pinterest