Everybody loves a “5 Ways to Style” post, so today I’m featuring one of my winter wardrobe staples: the camel coat! This timeless piece is such a classic because it’s versatile, polished, and pairs effortlessly with so many outfits. Whether you’re heading out for errands or dressing up for a night out, a camel coat instantly elevates your look.
J.Crew Daphne (6) // Caslon rib turtleneck (S) // MOTHER Weekender (29) (budget option) // Veronica Beard Lisa (budget option) (8.5) // similar belt // HOBO Render
Now, you may be thinking, Style a coat? Isn’t a coat just something you throw on to stay warm and take off as soon as you arrive? Well, not quite!
I want to challenge you to think of your coat as more than just a layer for warmth—consider it part of your outfit. After all, it’s the first thing people see when you arrive, and sometimes it’s the only thing they see, especially on colder days. By making your coat an intentional part of your look, you’ll instantly elevate your overall style. In this post, I’m sharing five simple yet chic ways to style a camel coat using wardrobe essentials you likely already own.
Shop Camel Coats
J.Crew Daphne (6) (similar) // Jenni Kayne sweater (option) (S) // MOTHER denim (29) (option) // LØCI sneakers (8) // rag & bone belt (M)
Unfortunately, the J.Crew Daphne Topcoat I’m wearing in many of the outfits in this post is no longer available, but I’ve rounded up plenty of similar options below. Don’t wear wool coats? No problem! You can swap it for a beige trench, puffer coat, or even a cozy teddy coat.
Shop those and more below:
5 Ways to Style a Camel Coat
Here are 5 ways I like to style my camel coats, which are basically just color combinations that I like to pull together from wardrobe essentials that I always keep on hand. These outfits should be easy to recreate using pieces you likely already own, but I’ll also include shopping links if you’re looking to add something new to your winter wardrobe.
And if beige and camel just don’t appeal to you, you can always wear black or grey and alter these color combinations a bit. Either way, I hope this post inspires you to see your outerwear as more than just a functional layer and gives you some fresh ideas for elevating your everyday winter style.
#1. Camel Coat + Ivory
This is one of my favorite ways to style a camel coat because it feels so effortlessly chic and timeless. Pairing the warm, caramel tones of the coat with creamy ivory creates a soft, monochromatic palette that’s perfect for winter.
J.Crew Daphne (6) (similar) // Jenni Kayne sweater (S) (option) // MOTHER denim (29) (budget option) // LØCI sneakers (8) // rag & bone suede boyfriend belt (M) // similar bag
For footwear, you can’t go wrong with beige or tan boots, but white sneakers or even a pop of metallic can add a modern twist. Finish the outfit with a few pieces of classic jewelry and a neutral bag to tie it all together. This combination works for everything from casual coffee runs to more dressed-up occasions, depending on your choice of accessories and shoes.
J.Crew Daphne (6) (similar) // old Vince blouse (similar) // Frame Le Easy Flare // similar boots
#2. Camel Coat + Camel Sweater
I used to gravitate toward contrasting coats and sweaters, but I came across a tip to match your sweater to your coat for a more cohesive look, and now I’m hooked! Pairing a camel sweater with a camel coat creates an elegant tonal effect that feels sophisticated and put-together.
J.Crew Cocoon Coat (6) // Equipment sweater (S) (budget option) // PAIGE denim (29) (budget option) // similar boots (8) // similar bag
To keep the outfit visually interesting, play with textures—think a chunky knit sweater under a sleek wool coat. You can complete the look with darker pants or jeans for contrast, as I did here, or lean into the tonal vibe with beige or camel pants.
J.Crew Daphne (6) (similar) // Nordstrom Cashmere hoodie (XS) // similar MOTHER Roller Skimp (29) // Veronica Beard Lada (8.5)
And you can always liven up the look with a coordinating scarf.
J.Crew Cocoon Coat (6) // Equipment sweater (S) (budget option) // similar black denim flares // Marc Fisher boots (8) // plaid scarf
I also like this similar look with white denim… It’s hard to see here, but I was wearing the same camel sweater underneath. The idea here is to match your coat to your sweater, and then add a contrasting color on the bottom.
J.Crew Cocoon Coat (6) // Equipment sweater (S) (budget option) // FRAME denim (29) (budget option) // similar boots // plaid scarf
For footwear, I kept the boots the same color as the jeans when I wore black jeans, for a cohesive look on the bottom, but I like how the camel boots bookend the look with the white jeans. Try both, and see which you like best!
#3. Camel Coat + Shades of Blue
Camel and blue are a timeless combination, striking the perfect balance between warm and cool tones. I often pair my camel sweaters with blue jeans for a casual, pulled-together look, but camel also works beautifully with navy for a more refined feel. When you put these shades together and top them off with a camel coat, you create a flattering, slimming column of color. Neutral boots or loafers are a great way to anchor the outfit.
J.Crew Daphne (6) (similar) // Caslon rib turtleneck (S) // PAIGE Laurel Canyon (29) (budget option) // Veronica Beard Lisa (budget option) (8.5) // similar belt // HOBO Render
The Caslon rib turtleneck I’m wearing above is super soft, cozy, and versatile, with an easy fit and a great price point. I styled it with flares in a medium indigo wash, adding caramel brown boots and a belt to tie the whole look back to the camel coat.
And the navy and camel stripe sweater I’m wearing below is from last year, but it’s still available! I love how it pulls both colors together in one piece.
J.Crew Daphne (6) (similar) // Rails stripe sweater (S) // PAIGE Laurel Canyon (29) (budget option) // similar boots // similar Coach bucket bag
#4. Camel Coat + Grey Denim
This unexpected pairing is both chic and modern, and I love the fresh twist on classic neutrals. The warm tones of the camel coat create a striking contrast against the cool, muted shades of grey denim, making it a perfect combination for winter.
J.Crew Daphne (6) (similar) // Vince sweater (M) // MOTHER Weekender (29) // Veronica Beard booties (8.5)
I would usually keep the rest of the outfit simple with a soft sweater or turtleneck in a neutral shade, like ivory or light grey, to complement the jeans. But for this look, I chose a forest green turtleneck sweater, and I love the depth it adds for winter. You can pair this combo with black or charcoal boots for a sleek finish, but I opted for caramel accessories to tie back to the coat.
#5. Camel Coat + Column of Black
This might be the most classic color combination out there, but you can almost never go wrong with camel and black. It’s a pairing that always looks polished and sophisticated, as long as your fit and proportions are on point.
I especially love the column of black shown here—it creates a sleek, elongating effect that lets the camel coat stand out as the statement piece. To finish the look, I added black suede boots and a black clutch for a cohesive vibe, but you could mix in a textured accessory, like a snakeskin belt or bag, to keep it modern and fresh.
J.Crew Daphne (6) (similar) // Vince sweater (S) (budget option) // similar PAIGE jeans (29) (budget option) // Sam Edelman boots (8)
You can also finish the look with a black scarf, which adds a polished touch and pulls the outfit together. This classic color combination is one I rely on time and time again, especially when I’m struggling with fall or winter outfit inspiration.
J.Crew Daphne (6) (similar) // Vince sweater (S) (budget option) // similar PAIGE jeans (29) (budget option) // Sam Edelman boots (8) // black scarf
Another variation to this look is to add a red scarf… This photo is a bit of a throwback, but I wanted to share it because the combination of camel, black, and red is so striking. Plus, with red being a trending color right now, it feels especially current. Here, I styled black and camel with a red scarf and a red bag for a bold, eye-catching accent.
J.Crew Cocoon Coat (6) // similar black jeans // similar lug sole boots // similar scarf (budget option) // Michael Kors Cate
As I said above, these are all basically just various color combinations using wardrobe essentials most of us already own. If any of these looks sparked some inspiration, I encourage you to take a little time over the next few days to experiment with what’s already in your closet. You might be surprised at the fresh outfit combinations you can create!
