Look cool in the cold: Your winter fashion guide to Tokyo, Shanghai, Seoul and more

SINGAPORE – Winter looks different in every city. Ergo, the style-conscious traveller must too.

It is a question of temperament as much as it is temperature.

East Asian metropolises, like Tokyo, Seoul and Shanghai, lend themselves to zanier expressions of cold-weather wit – bright purple puffers, ironic slogan sweaters, animal-ear beanies – that might land flat on European cobblestones.

A cashmere checked scarf is good anywhere, but works best in a London Christmas market, with a mug of mulled wine for maximum effect.

A black coat might fit in every urban centre. But in Paris, it must account for the mild December damp, while in New York, it should be good for snowfall and a mean wind chill.

Dressing for winter abroad can be a mess of considerations for the Singaporean tourist.

As the holidays approach and Uniqlo HeatTech thermals are dug out from cupboards islandwide, The Straits Times rounds up picks from Fall/Winter collections tailored to popular destinations, so you can keep warm while looking sharp.

Seoul

In the South Korean capital, expect biting cold of between minus 6 and 5 deg C, as well as famously well-groomed locals.

Warm clothes are a must. A down jacket paired with a fleece should keep the bone-deep chill in abeyance, with both easily found at the Singaporean go-to spot Uniqlo. The Seamless Down Parka ($169.90) in a powder grey is the best pick for Seoul’s brand of urban edge and would play well with a bleached brow and headband combination, or thin-rimmed office siren glasses.

Indoors, layer with kitsch shirts stocked at high fashion concept store Dover Street Market Singapore by the likes of London label Ashley Williams ($350 to $380) and Chopova Lowena ($420 to $800). Such absurdist prints of feminine tropes, like Ashley Williams’ pink bathrooms and cuddling kittens, are popular among It girls in Seoul.

Shanghai

China has fast become a hot destination for Singaporean travellers. Though December tends to be low season in Shanghai, the trendy capital is sure to merit a pit stop for those making their way through the vast country.

The average temperature tends to fall between 2 and 11 deg C in early winter, but cloudiness and strong winds add to the cold. Nights on The Bund, the city’s famed waterfront promenade, can be freezing.

Shanghai chic leans slick, almost Scandinavian, with a bit more splash. Outerwear-wise, think long wool coats with a straight silhouette, like the Long Wool Coat in grey melange ($549) and Voluminous Belted Wool Coats in dark khaki, purple or brown ($359) from Swedish label & Other Stories.

Trendsetters in the city’s buzzy French Concession area are also big on colour. Launching just in time is Uniqlo’s Kaws Winter collection, a festive curation of mustard yellow, wine red and forest green winter basics and accessories which will be available from Nov 21.

All items feature embroidered accents of American artist Kaws’ signature XX motif or his cauliflower-eared character Companion, as in the XX on the end of a knitted yellow scarf, subtly adding street cred.

The Cashmere Crew Neck Sweater ($169.90 in three colours), with a discreet XX on the right breast, or the Lambswool Crew Neck Sweater ($49.90 in four colours) would add a nice flash of colour to a layered look.

Tokyo

Temperatures range between 5 and 12 deg C in the Japanese capital in December. Wind can make it feel chillier and, nearing the new year, early mornings can get as cold as 2 deg C. But, overall, days tend to be crisp, sunny and calm.

Pleasant weather coupled with an abundance of indoor heating means coats should be warm but not too heavy.

Gloves and scarves are also not strictly necessary. Layering is the way to go here.

Japanese brand Onitsuka Tiger’s Autumn-Winter 25 collection, inspired by the cultural fluency of Tokyo, is full of good ideas. Unisex pieces like a tiny tailored peacoat ($1,000), knit jackets, cardigans ($400 to $420) and micro twin sets are the starting point. These are the plain but solid pieces that, in the idiom of Tokyo street style, give space for personal style to define the look.

The black Blouson Jacket ($900) of a medium-weight nylon makes for practical and versatile outerwear. Insulation lining takes care of warmth retention and its fleece collar is detachable – a layering godsend.

On the runway, it looks great thrown over a pale cable knit and a blue dress shirt, though it can easily toughen up a dress too.

Onitsuka Tiger’s WS Dress ($700), a long-sleeved, calf-length, pleated number with a thick waist band of a contrasting knit would work here. For the more adventurous, pair a knee-length skirt with pants of your choice.

London

London in December is cold, damp and overcast, with temperatures of 2 to 9 deg C. Days are short so for full days out, err on dressing for the night.

For those looking to lean into cool Britannia, Burberry anything is the automatic choice. The British fashion house’s Winter 2025 collection (from $780 for scarves and $3,890 for outerwear) features raincoats updated in shredded viscose blends, corduroy and cropped embossed leathers.

Quilted jackets come in geranium print, while fringed checked scarves are integrated into jackets in shearling and alpaca blends.

You cannot forget the trench. Burberry’s new Ellingham Car Coat ($4,190) adds volume and wider sleeves to the traditional trench, while doing away with the typical double-breasted fastening.

Where colour is the antidote to drab weather, the Uniqlo JW Anderson line’s orangey-red polo sweater ($49.90) is an affordable pick-me-up. The range is designed by Irish designer and Dior creative director Jonathan Anderson, with the latest Fall/Winter 2025 collection blending traditional field wear and classic British style.

Paris

The French capital deals out temperatures between 1 and 8 deg C in early winter, with about two hours of sunshine a day and rain to boot.

Thankfully, the City of Lights comes alive at night.

Style-wise, Parisian chic notions of black turtlenecks, jeans and a dream coat that manages to look unwashed yet cool are about as romanticised as the city itself. You would want to either avoid that trope or nod to it, for fun.

Since the stereotypical French woman is too nonchalant to play up her figure, mannish tailoring as seen in the Loro Piana Fall Winter 2025/26 collection ($320 to $51,000) is a safe bet.

The Tucker double-breasted coat in wool and cashmere ($10,830) and the Gurley coat ($7,500) are fail-safe choices, or make a statement in the deep blue wool Linus reversible double-breasted coat (price upon request).

For an accessory with personality, go for the Italian brand’s bevy of funny hats, like a cashmere felt top hat or the jaunty pillbox-esque Angie hat.

New York City

December in the Big Apple can be severe, with sizeable winds and temperatures between 0 and 8 deg C, just above freezing.

Bundle up with big vintage fur coats or reliable puffers, and pack Uniqlo HeatTech lined gloves ($24.90) and cashmere scarves ($79.90) if you fear the cold. The brand’s Fluffy Yarn Fleece Full-Zip Long Sleeve Jackets ($39.90) are perfect for layering and come in 10 colours, with the black, green and dark brown coming off the most New York of the bunch.

Statement scarves or boots can elevate a practical anti-hypothermia look, like the two-toned Chunky Mohair Scarf from high street brand COS in deep burgundy and bright red ($175).

San Francisco

It is cool and rainy in December, with temperatures ranging from 8 to 14 deg C. Winter clothes might be overkill on the West Coast, but hoodies are popular in the Silicon Valley-adjacent city and foldable waterproof jackets are recommended.

Try a cheeky slogan hoodie ($479) from Italian brand MAX&Co’s capsule collection with artist Pietro Terzini.

For lightweight parkas, browse sportswear retailer Decathalon for an easy fix – such as the Men’s Nature Hiking Raincut Fullzip Jacket ($19.90).