Long after the holiday cheer wears off, there comes a point in winter when feelings of cheer are replaced with a sense of dread. Anyone residing in a region with exceptionally frigid weather knows the feeling we’re referring to all too well. It’s not rooted in a sadness surrounding the end of the holiday season but rather a realization that it will be months before spring. With that comes the harsh reality check that is cold weather. Frankly, nothing is more dread-inducing than worrying about what to wear in the winter (besides the weather itself). Even if you consider yourself an expert who’s spent their entire life crafting cold weather–ready ensembles, every expert has their breaking point. That’s when having a winter capsule wardrobe comes in handy.
Whether we like to admit it or not, we all feel the most inspired to get crafty with styling our staples the first few weeks of winter. However, once we experience our fair share of wardrobe malfunctions? Well, that’s no longer cute. It becomes imperative to prioritize function over fashion at that moment, but that leads us to another problem: staple fatigue. Often, it can feel like we’re stuck between wearing the same “passé” puffer coat (no shade) or simply choosing to freeze. But what if we told you those aren’t the only options? There’s no shortage of winter staples that can work for stony temps without sacrificing your style—turn to the style crowd for proof.
With fashion cities such as Paris, Oslo, London, New York, and Copenhagen boasting temperatures below freezing throughout the winter, it’s created a climate that requires locals to learn how to dress for the cold. These are the best places to look for inspiration for building a winter wardrobe, which is precisely what we did. Ahead, we’re breaking down the basics that make great additions to a winter capsule wardrobe based on their popularity, longevity, and versatility. While you don’t need every one of these items, any one of them will make getting dressed in the winter a little more joyful (or at the very least easier).
Public service announcement: You don’t have to wear a puffer coat to be warm this winter. There’s a more polished option that’s become a personal favorite among fashion people—ahem, the long coat. The benefit of adding this type of jacket to your winter capsule is that it’s timeless enough to wear for years to come yet taps into recent runway trends. We’d recommend investing in a maxi jacket made from thicker textiles (e.g., wool, mohair, cashmere, or leather) to ensure it’s as warm as any other winter coat.
