8 Cold Weather Wardrobe Essentials
My must-haves for looking chic and staying warm
Gone are the days of impractical winter dressing — going out with no coat because it doesn’t look cute? Absolutely not.
Looking stylish and staying warm during the winter is possible — keep scrolling for my 8 must-have winter wardrobe essentials, plus dressing tips for staying warm!
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1. Hat/Earmuffs
It doesn’t matter how bundled up I am, if my head or ears are exposed, I’m freezing! If you’re worried about a hat messing up your hair, earmuffs are a great alternative that won’t ruin a fresh blowout or sacrifice warmth.
2. Scarf
It’s key to block all possible areas that cold weather could get in — a scarf blocks the wind from sneaking under my coat while keeping my neck and chest warm.
You can never go wrong with a classic cashmere style scarf that has fringe ends for added interest. I also love traveling with a larger wrap style that can be worn as a scarf, but also doubles as a blanket. The triangle scarf is a trend forward style that I’ve recently been drawn to because I love how it drapes and layers over coats.
3. Gloves
When you’re bundled up, it’s easy to feel like a marshmallow, but a chic pair of leather gloves adds sleekness against all the layers. I’m drawn to simple and classic styles, and bonus if they’re tech friendly! Avoid getting them wet and occasionally clean and apply a leather conditioner to help them last a lifetime!
4. Wool socks
If you haven’t made the leap to high quality socks, trust me — they’re worth the investment! Wool (and wool blend) socks are great for added warmth and moisture wicking.
My two favorite styles are the Bombas merino wool blend socks and the Socksss cotton socks with light compression — neither bunch up or fall down in boots. I started transitioning my sock drawer to Bombas a few years ago and haven’t looked back! I also love their lightweight calf style for loafers.
5. Base Layer
I wear a base layer almost daily — it adds crucial warmth and is an easy way to incorporate interest and depth to an outfit. Another bonus? Wearing a base layer will help increase a knit’s longevity by extending the time between washes. Instead of washing the knit, you just wash the base layer!
Some ways to style include a long sleeve t-shirt under an oversized sweater or a turtleneck peeking out from under a cardigan.
6. Long Puffer Coat
While perhaps not a beacon of style, a long puffer coat is very much a necessity in the winter, especially for dog owners or commuters! The longer the coat, the more wind it will block — it’s like walking around wrapped in a duvet cover.
I chose a simple black style for its versatility and the Aritzia long Super Puff has been a wardrobe workhorse for me. I have the original version, but they’ve released a new SuperSnug style that is more slim cut through the body.
7. Tights
Black tights are such a winter wardrobe staple for me that I wrote an entire Substack post about them — sharing key terms to know and the various styles I wear. There is no way I’m exposing my bare legs in the winter, so a good pair of black tights unlocks a whole category of outfit possibilities for cold weather. If you’ve been avoiding dresses and skirts in winter, I encourage you to read the post below!
More outfit details:
(L) Dress, shoes, phone chain
(C) Similar skirt, similar bag, shoes
(R) Dress, bag, shoes
8. Long Wool Coat
No cold weather essentials list would be complete without the classic long wool coat. There are so many styles to choose from — I typically opt for either a relaxed, wrap style or a more tailored, structured style. Regardless if it’s relaxed or tailored, I like my coats to be full length and fit slightly oversized to ensure I have room to comfortably wear thicker knits or additional layers.
Besides the cut, fit, and length, it’s also important to consider fabric and lining. These days, many coats, even expensive ones, are a blend of natural and synthetic fibers. A wool blend fabric, especially one with a higher wool percentage and lining, can still be very warm. When there isn’t a lining, layering with a blazer or thinner jacket becomes key for adding warmth.
Spring is in 50 days — hope this helps you stay warm until then!
Until next time,
Kelly
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