Do you struggle to stay warm and look stylish during the colder months? It’s a really common issue! Oftentimes during the winter months, we tend to just throw on anything we can find to keep us warm and comfortable. And you can still do that…but there are ways to make your looks more stylish and sophisticated. In today’s post, I’m sharing 10 must-have winter essentials that will make it so much easier to get dressed in a really chic, stylish, polished, and WARM way. These are your winter wardrobe staples that build the foundation for an effortless closet. We always talk about how important it is to have your wardrobe basics and we even have two wardrobe basics checklists you get for FREE when you sign up for our newsletter. Now, let’s dive in…
If you’re looking for more winter style hacks, make sure you check out this post next!
Winter Wardrobe Staples
#1 | Cashmere Sweater
The first winter wardrobe staple you need in your closet…a cashmere sweater! Cashmere is warmer than wool, very luxurious, lightweight, soft, thin, and beautiful. Quince has amazing Mongolian cashmere crewneck sweaters in a bunch of neutral colors. In the photos above, I’m wearing a cashmere sweater in a gorgeous ivory color that’s such a lovely neutral. This sweater feels really high-quality and has held up nicely…and it’s only $50! The really great thing about cashmere is that it’s so thin that you can easily layer any outerwear over it without adding any bulk. There’s this tendency to grab the big, chunky, oversized sweater when it starts getting cold…but that’s not the most practical (or stylish) option for avoiding the bulky look.
#2 | Wrap Coat
Next up, you’ll want some sort of sophisticated coat. That could be a wrap coat, double or single-breasted coat, cocoon coat, etc. You have tons of options! I would get something on the lightweight side, that’s a little dressier, and at least knee-length. A sophisticated coat is a must-have winter wardrobe staple for anyone, but especially if you work in an office. It can instantly elevate every single outfit.
I’m sharing two new coats I grabbed from Quince that are SO gorgeous. By the way, I have 4 wrap coats that all range in price, and this is THE nicest wrap coat I own now. It’s still pretty pricey but considering the quality and that it’s 100% cashmere…it’s 100% worth it! It’s the perfect length on me (I’m 5’4”), I love the belted wrap feature for creating waist definition, and it’s an absolutely exquisite piece. It comes in 4 colors but the camel is really beautiful and versatile. If you live somewhere super cold, you’re probably thinking that this coat won’t be warm enough. Which I’ll talk about in the next winter wardrobe essential (keep scrolling). But, this wrap coat and the cashmere sweater are definitely warm enough on days when it’s 25 degrees and higher and minimal wind chill.
The second coat I want to show you is a beautiful single-breasted wool coat. It has a shawl collar, a nice long length, and it’s a more affordable option compared to the previous coat. It comes in three colors but I really love this taupe color. Getting basics in neutral colors like tan, ivory, black, and charcoal is ideal for maximum versatility. This coat adds a layer of sophistication and elevation to any outfit you put on.
#3 | Puffer Coat
Since we live in Telluride, Colorado I have a LOT of puffers in a lot of styles and colors. But if you’re only going to get one puffer, I recommend getting one that’s long enough to cover your bum, in a neutral color (ivory, tan, black, charcoal), and is a perfect midweight. You want a puffer that’s not too heavy-duty but not so lightweight that you’ll be cold. It should still be packable and easy to layer too.
Now, I told you we were going to talk about how to wear that wrap coat so that it’s warm enough for those really cold days…and here’s how. Grab that midweight puffer and layer it under your wrap coat. If you have the right kind of puffer, you’ll avoid that bulky look and it’s not too puffy at all! On the left, I’m wearing a midweight puffer by Herno that I’ve had for years and styled it under the Quince wool coat. On the right, I’m wearing a black Herno puffer underneath the Quince wrap coat. Both looks are so chic, stylish, streamlined, polished, and sophisticated…but SO warm!
#4 | Scarf
What’s next? You need at least one warm scarf! But having a few that you can rotate is really nice and makes it feel like you can change up your look a bit more. All three of the scarves I’m wearing above are versatile and easy to mix and match with your other winter wardrobe basics. When you’re looking for your winter scarf, find one in a neutral color palette and high-quality fabric (wool, cashmere, silk or a blend).
The first scarf I’m wearing is a gorgeous ivory cashmere-silk blend, super lightweight, can double as a wrap, is super affordable, and has a cool frayed hem, If ivory isn’t for you, it comes in a bunch of other colors too. Want to see how I tie this scarf? You can watch that here.
The second scarf I’m wearing has a very similar color tone to the wrap coat and creates a beautiful, streamlined, monochromatic look that definitely looks intentional and elongates my frame. It’s 100% cashmere and just under $100. It can also double as a wrap, making it perfect for special occasions or out to dinner.
The last scarf option I want to show you is this black snood. It’s super warm, easy to throw on, and so chic. It’s cashmere and comes in 3 colors.
#5 | Mittens or Gloves
Next up on your winter must-have list is mittens or gloves. Mittens are warmer than gloves, but gloves are much more practical and functional for busy women on the go. I grabbed two new pairs of gloves for the season. First is a pair of cashmere gloves that have a longer length so you can tuck them under your coat/jacket. I love the neutral camel color, and they’re super soft and warm. The second is a black pair of leather gloves with cashmere lining. These are touch screen friendly and also come in brown. The cool thing about these gloves is that they come in different sizes. I have pretty small hands so I got the Small size and they fit me like a glove (pun intended).
#6 | Hat
If you’re only going to get one hat for the winter, I recommend you get one that’s neutral (are you seeing the theme here??) and that coordinates with your scarf or gloves. The first hat I’m wearing above is a ribbed cashmere beanie that’s super soft, comfortable, and affordable. Another option is the slouchy beanie, this one is also cashmere and comes in a few colors. But whichever one you pick just depends on what look you prefer. The third hat I’m wearing is a cashmere baseball cap that I really love. There is lining on the inside that’s soft, fuzzy, and warm. This is the best baseball cap I’ve ever put on! The color, the fit…everything about it is great! Plus, it’s incredibly chic and cool. If none of these are your style, you could also do a glam faux fur hat or headband instead.
#7 | Boots with Traction
As the ice, snow, slush, and sleet come into play, you need to have the right shoes or boots. There are certain areas in town that are treacherous! And if I got out of my car in regular ankle boots, I would bust my butt!
The first boots I snagged this year are a pair by Sorel that are super cool, modern, and edgy. Sorel has been my go-to brand for snow and winter boots for years. These are waterproof and have great tread. They also have a block heel that adds some height, which I love since I’m petite.
The second pair of boots I grabbed this year I don’t have photos of, but I really love and had to share! They are a pair of wedge booties by La Canadienne that are weatherproof, stylish, have a side zip, are easy to get on/off, and add some height.
#8 | Warm Socks
Next on your winter must-haves list are warm socks! They can be wool, cashmere, or a blend. But having a couple pairs of really warm socks to wear with your boots and booties is so essential. My feet are always freezing so I grabbed two pairs from Quince I’m really excited to try out while I’m skiing this year!
#9 | Thick Leggings/Pants
If you live somewhere super cold, you definitely need a pair of fleece-lined or super-thick leggings. I have two pairs I love. One’s a tapered leg that’s fitted all the way to the ankle that have a thin fleece layer inside. The second pair I have are more of a traditional bootcut style that are 5x thicker than regular yoga pants. You can see me wearing them here. I wear both pairs when running errands, walking the dog, snowshoeing….pretty much anything I’m doing outside when I want to be comfortable, functional, stylish, and warm.
#10 | Sweater Dress
The last piece is kind of a wild card, but I still think it’s really nice to have a sweater dress in your winter wardrobe. If it’s in your budget, a cashmere sweater dress is the most ideal for warmth. But you could go with a blend or ribbed cotton sweater dress too. You can wear your sweater dress for dinner, events and parties, and so much more. It’s just such a wonderful blank canvas that can be dressed up or down and is so versatile for the winter!
So, let’s recap! The 10 winter wardrobe staples you NEED are…a cashmere sweater, wrap coat, puffer coat, scarf, gloves, hat, functional boots, thick leggings, warm socks, and…a sweater dress.
Do you have any questions about winter must-haves? Leave a comment below and let us know how we can help!
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