If one of your New Year's resolutions is to get outside and into nature more often, you'll want to take notes from Helen Skelton who perfectly balanced practicality with style when she wore a long green parka coat and pair of waterproof boots for a walk with her family.
We all know that walking is good for our health, whether you head off to hike in some of the most beautiful places on Earth or stay closer to home and explore local forests, fields and parks. But with the cold winter weather only set to get even more chilly, it can feel like a struggle to get out into nature and keep warm while doing so.
That's why we're taking outfit inspiration from Helen Skelton who recently took to Instagram to share her favourite hiking memory from 2024. In the series of snaps, which show her and her family enjoying a stunning forest walk, she's wearing an oh-so cosy long green parka coat and a pair of waterproof walking boots - the pairing is the cosy-chic outfit we needed to inspire our own outdoorsy looks.
Shop Helen's Skelton's Outdoorsy Look
Because these boots are made from leather, they're waterproof and will keep you protected from rain and snow no matter how bad the winter weather gets. Plus, a warm fleece and shearling insulation keeps you warm, while a high-traction sole offers extra grip.
With a memory foam insole, deep tread and rubber sole giving these snow boots great traction and stability in chilly and slippery conditions, the thermal lining and waterproof outer fabric only add to their appeal - then you've got the beautiful shearling accent at the calf and a handy pocket on the boots too and you really couldn't ask for more!
With a waterproof finish and protective all-round mudguard keeping your feet dry and warm, these winter boots feature a grip sole for stability and are cushioned for extra comfort. The faux fur trim gives a stylish flair to the practical design that we adore.
With padded insulation creating a stunning quilted pattern across this coat, you get the best of both worlds as a comfortable and stylish regular, longline fit brings a chic look to any outfit while the practical hood, waterproof finish and cosy padding keeps you warm and dry.
Offering light insulation to keep you warm but not sweating when you've been walking for hours, this quilted coat boasts an extra-long silhouette so, if you're caught in the rain, most of you is kept entirely dry - plus, the olive green shade is so chic.
Made from a recycled waterproof fabric that's breathable, durable and waterproof too, this coat keeps you dry, warm and comfortable. The 'recycled thermoguard insulation' is made all the more warm with a cosy fleece lining, funnel neckline and hood too.
While we only got a glimpse of Helen's walking look in the pictures, it was enough to show us that her coat and walking boots pairing is the ultimate outdoor style for the chilly winter months.
With a pair of black skinny jeans, which are a winter capsule wardrobe staple that work for quite literally any occasion and always look oh-so chic, making up the base of her outfit, it was Helen's super long khaki coat that kept her warm and cosy in the cold weather.
With a calf-skimming hemline, practical hood and padded insulation, the style is perfect to bundle up in whether you're heading out into nature for a family adventure or simply going to run errands. On those days where the temperature really means you want to stay in bed all day long, it's the ideal piece to wrap you up and keep you feeling cosy.
The khaki shade is a lovely one for winter too, with it adding a splash of subtle, earthy colour to any outfit that still ties into the deeper, moodier shades we tend to gravitate towards in the cool months. Style it like Helen with an all-black look for some added interest, or pair it with some light-wash denim and a chunky white knit to bring in a darker, grounding shade.
Even pictured from behind, we immediately fell in love with Helen's black walking boots, with their soft black suede and striking shearling detail bringing a practical and cosy-chic touch to the outfit.
Investing in a pair of the best walking shoes like Helen's is a must for weekend walks and hiking trips no matter the season, with high-quality and durable pairs making your outdoors adventures all the more comfortable and easy to handle. In winter, it's perhaps even more vital, with the added element of snow, rain and even possibly ice meaning you want to ensure you're wearing waterproof and insulated shoes that have added grip so you don't slip or catch a chill.
Helen's footwear of choice proves that you can mesh this practical approach to shoe shopping with style as well, with the shearing cuff on her boots adding a stylish flair to her entire look as the sleek black suede acts as a chic finishing touch - the whole look is a real masterclass in what to wear while hiking.
