Winter has quite a bit of audacity with its frigid temperatures. And as those temperatures begin to plummet, we often have no choice but to break out our Winter wardrobe essentials. That said, I’m not going to pretend that I don’t reach for my cold-weather pieces quite begrudgingly when my Autumnal pieces are no longer substantial for the cold. Honestly, I don’t even like shopping for Winter fashion pieces that much. But let me be clear, it’s not that Winter fashion isn’t elegant, fun, and lovely. It’s more about what it represents. You know, surrendering to Winter and admitting it’s not Autumn anymore. And it’s also not Spring.
But I suppose moping about the weather isn’t going to change the season. So I might as well make the most of this chilly season and enjoy what it has to offer. Which includes its absolutely stunning fashion pieces. Pieces that are the perfect combination of elegant, warm, and perfectly my style. And that can still be layered with my favorite Autumnal pieces to create fun and unique looks. Whether for going for a snowy walk to enjoy the scenery that I must admit is quite lovely. Or to brave the elements and head off to the store. That said, Winter is all about layering. And you can still wear something not tailored to the cold weather underneath all those layers.
So let’s enjoy playing around with our Winter wardrobe essentials this Winter. Rather than try to fight the season in our Spring sundresses and Autumnal blazers.
Puffy and Heavy Winter Coats
I’m not going to lie, I used to avoid wearing heavy Winter coats at all costs. Just because I always felt they were the top representative of caving to Winter’s harshness. But you know what? Wearing a lovely puffy, faux fur, or heavy sherpa coat is actually the ultimate rebellion against the cold. And given the fact that a warm coat is your first line of defense against the frigid enemy, a proper coat is one of the first Winter wardrobe essentials you need to invest in. And certainly, you can invest in a heavy Winter jacket that matches your personal style, as there are so many different styles to choose from.
I do personally choose to buy my Winter coats in more neutral tones, so they can go with more outfits. Heavy Winter jackets generally are pricier than other garments. But if that pink or baby blue coat is calling to you, treat yourself to it. Whether we like it or not, our Winter coats are going to get plenty of use for what we pay for them. So you might as well splurge on one or two gorgeous warm coats. You deserve to feel chic as you take on this chilly season in a lovely coat that still feels like you. Especially as it’ll be your secondary outfit when you head out in the Winter months.
Sleek Heavy Peacoats and Trench Coats
While I do love a good thick and puffy coat for the super cold days, I will say I still prefer styles that aren’t super bulky. Especially when it’s either not that cold out, or I won’t be outdoors for long anyway. Which is where wool, tweed, and heavier, but still fitted, peacoats and trench coats come in. Because while they still protect you from the wind and the cold temperatures, they do so without feeling heavy or bulky. And they’re classy and chic, while allowing you to maintain your full range of motion and still easily buckle your seatbelt.
I mean, you probably don’t need the thickest Winter coat in your warm car and at the grocery store anyway. And trenchcoats are also perfect for navigating the chilly refrigerated aisles. Plus, trenchcoats also work for late Autumn and early Spring. So heavier peacoats are a highly worthy investment. Especially in neutral styles that can be paired with any outfit. Or as a statement piece that stands out on its own amongst your Winter wardrobe essentials.
Cozy Sweaters
Sweaters are one of the most iconic staples of the colder seasons. Honestly, they’re one of the top wardrobe essentials we all need for both Autumn and Winter. Heck, we even need a nice cozy sweater for early Spring. Sweaters and knitted fashion items are actually one of the most fun cold-weather pieces to shop for. There are so many fun knit patterns, fits, colors, and amazing styles to choose from. You can even get a full outfit in the form of a sweater dress to wear with some cozy leggings or stockings in the Winter. And honestly, all types of sweaters are so fun to work with during the chillier months.
Honestly, I tend to prioritize sweaters as I’m shopping for Wintery and Autumnal pieces, as they are so much fun, and it’s easy to find sweaters that match your personal style. You can get them in sleek and fitted cuts to feel classy and chic in the office. Or they can be looser and more relaxed for when you’re curling up under a warm blanket with a cup of tea and a good book. They’re also perfect for adding that pop of color to your Winter wardrobe. Because honestly, Winter could use some more fun colors sprinkled in with the darks and neutrals.
Long Sleeve Shirts and Dresses
While I must say, I complain a lot about Winter for someone who isn’t a very outdoorsy person, I’d like to point out that it doesn’t just feel cold outside, but inside as well. The dryer air indoors, combined with the drafts leaking in through doors and windows, makes it feel cold even in a well-heated room. Plus, I imagine a lot of it is also psychological, just from knowing it’s cold outside. But I’m not going to pretend to be an expert on that. That said, while wearing a coat is quite unnecessary when you’re trying to stay cozy in your home or go about your work day, there’s no need to feel chilly. And honestly? Just having your arms covered by long sleeves is often sufficient for the indoor chilliness.
Honestly, long sleeves even help substantially with cold drafts coming in from the frigid outdoors. At my former day job, I worked right by the main entrance, and oftentimes, just wearing a dress with longer sleeves helped shield me from the cold wind. Even if it wasn’t a sweater dress, and wasn’t even made from a dense material. Something about just having your arms covered in the Winter is so cozy. Plus, those long-sleeve shirts and dresses are perfect to wear on their own as the weather begins to warm back up, and you no longer need a coat. Honestly, while not inherently seasonal, long sleeves are a Winter, Autumnal, and Spring wardrobe essential that everyone should have.
Heck, I’ll even wear a light long-sleeve piece in the Summer to prevent sunburns. Or for grocery shopping, since the refrigerator section is never not cold to walk through.
Warm Pants and Jeans
Let me be honest with you, I personally prefer skirts and dresses on most days over pants. I’ve even found ways to sneak skorts and skort-dresses into my athleisure. But some days in the Winter are just too darn cold for a dress, even with stockings. Plus, you want to be as comfortable as possible if you’re going to be out in the cold for any length of time. Say, to go for a Winter walk to combat Seasonal Affective Disorder or to attend a Winter festival. And honestly? Pants are just fun, freeing, and incredibly fun to wear. While they keep the wind and cold air off your legs on a chilly day.
I will say that I personally prefer fitted jeans for the Wintertime. Just because they’re easy to tuck into your boots on a snowy day. Fitted jeans also look amazing with a loosely fitted sweater, and give your look some balance. Honestly, a few good pairs of structured jeans are an overall basic that everyone needs in their wardrobe for all seasons. I almost must say leather pants can also make for a fun, edgy look in the Winter months. And you don’t have to worry about getting too hot when it’s 30º or colder, so go for those pants that you love, but melt your legs in the Summer.
Non-Slip Shoes and Winter Boots
Let’s be honest, walking outside in the Winter can be quite dreadful in the wrong footwear. There’s nothing worse than getting a piece of snow in your shoes, freezing the bottom of your foot as you’re walking through the snow. And that’s not even to mention that walking outside in the Winter can also be quite dangerous if your shoes don’t have any grip. Neither heels nor ballet flats are intended for walking in icy conditions, as they often have little to no tread to give you any traction in the snow and ice. So be sure that you have at least one pair of boots that were designed to not only keep the snow away from your socks but also keep you upright in slick conditions.
And of course, there are many great styles of boots to choose from so that your feet can stay warm and dry in style. While also having the traction to prevent you from landing your favorite pair of pants entirely in the snow. And let’s also not forget about sneakers for supporting your feet on the less snowy days, when you may not want the hassle of putting on boots. They’ll have the grip to help prevent you from testing the earth’s gravitational pull in the slick spots on your Winter walks. While still being easy to slip on.
Gloves, Hats, Scarves, and Warm Winter Accessories
Cold-weather accessories are an absolute must-have amongst our Winter wardrobe essentials. After all, those cute gloves, gorgeous knitted scarves, and knitted caps aren’t just for looks. Winter accessories are highly functional in providing a little extra defense against the cold. The fact that they spruce up your outerwear is just an added bonus. Because not all Winter coats come with a built-in hood, and when they do, Winter’s winds love to remove them from our heads. Because like I said, Winter has a lot of audacity. So a warm hat to keep our ears covered in style is our secret weapon against the cold. Along with a lovely scarf to cover our neck and add some texture to our look.
Not to mention the importance of a lovely pair of gloves to keep your hands cozy. Especially if your hands are the first thing to freeze, and the last thing to warm up, like mine. And many gloves these days are touchscreen compatible. So you can still use your phone as you keep your hands warm in the Winter, if needed. Or you can wear them indoors when your hands won’t seem to warm up, if your hands are like mine and like to remind you how cold it is on the other side of your window. All while still scrolling on your phone or playing cozy games on your desktop.
Conclusion
Listen, my lovely, I know you want it to be Spring already. But we can’t make Spring come by breaking out our sundresses the day after Christmas and wishing the cold away. We’ve got to let nature run its course here. But we can rebel against the cold by shielding ourselves from it in the meantime with the right Winter wardrobe essentials. And we can look chic and fabulous doing it. So build up your Winter wardrobe with what sparks a little cozy joy for you this Winter. Take advantage of the shops having Winter styles on display, and add the pieces that speak to you to your closet.
And as always, remember to focus on the Winter pieces that speak to you. Rather than just what’s trendy this Winter. We want pieces that we’ll still love years or even decades from now. Make your Winter style your own. You don’t have to look on trend, or even classic, to have an amazing Winter wardrobe. Considering the circumstances of this season, you’ll want to make your Winter wardrobe essentials as joyful for you as possible. Although mind you, the author of this fashion guide just detests Winter, and fashion is my silver lining to the season.
What are some of your Winter wardrobe essentials? Do you have any favorite patterns, colors, or fabrics that you like to wear in the Winter? Do you actually love shopping for Winter fashion pieces, or do you also mix in Autumnal and Spring pieces for a fuller wardrobe? I’d love to hear about your Winter style.
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