Hi girlies! ♥
I hope you had a great Thanksgiving weekend! Mine was filled with family, shopping, and food- what could be better?! But after having such a great few days it really made getting back to reality rough… definitely been feeling a bit blue the past day or so, but I have my Birthday and Christmas on my mind, so I am looking forward to that.
Even though the holiday season just started it feels like Winter has been here for a while. With the sales still running strong, I thought now would be a good time to round up my favorite chic winter wardrobe essentials!
And while everyone’s winter wardrobe will look very different and vary based on your location and climate, I am going to write this post assuming we are all talking about cold weather climates. Another thing to consider when building up your winter wardrobe is your lifestyle and personal needs. My work setting is very casual (think jeans and sweaters) so my essentials are heavier on the casual wear.
So let’s get right into it!
1.) Tall Boots
I love all boots during the Fall and Wintertime. And living somewhere where it gets VERY cold, it’s nice to have a tall boot option because they are so much warmer than ankle booties.
Personally, I gravitate towards a riding boot style- like these ones from Tory Burch. I like the casual but elevated style they have. The riding boot style also has a low heel, making them very comfy and easy to walk in all day. If you have a dressier lifestyle, an over the knee boot might work well for you too.
Color-wise, I like to have a variety of neutrals- I have black., cognac, and gray pairs. If you only choose one, consider what works best with the items you currently have in your closet. I wear a lot of warm neutrals, so I find myself reaching for my cognac pair the most.
Also, of winter, remember that suede can be tricky in wet and messy weather. Leather will be much more ‘snow’ friendly. Another option is to spray them with a leather and suede protectant- which is what I do!
Style Tip: When tucking in pants into riding or over the knee boots stick to a tighter fitting pant because you don’t want your pants bunching up at the top of your boots. I tend to grab dark skinny jeans or these leggings.
Other Tall Boot Picks: Suede Option and OTK Option – pricy but have heard nothing but amazing things!
2.) Snow Boots / Rain Boots
If you live in a region that gets a lot of snow, you are probably going to want a good pair of snow boots. I admit that I haven’t always had snow boots because I have a great pair of leather riding boots that can be worn in most conditions. But this year I decided I wanted to get a good pair of snow boots and found a pair on sale during Black Friday- I got these ones! I decided to go with these because I wanted something that was comfortable, warm, and would be good for various activities. I mostly wanted these for snowy days running errands and for taking our dogs on walks. I can’t wait to get them in the mail!
If you don’t live in a colder climate and don’t get that much snow, then rain boots will certainly suffice by layering a warmer sock on cooler days- I love this affordable pair and they have held up so well.
3.) Ankle Booties
Ankle boots are great because they are so versatile. They come in all types of shapes, heel heights, colors, and fabrics. You can pair them with just about every style of jean and pant- they look great with skinnies or if you prefer bootcut you can wear them over the top of your ankle boots.
These are my all-time favorite bootie.
4.) Skinny Jeans
I realize that not everyone looks best in skinny jeans, but it’s really my favorite style jean and to me the most versatile. I prefer the super skinny styles because they work best with my tall and ankle boots, loafers, sneakers, etc.
This is my go-to pair right now! I am thinking about buying a backup pair.
5.) Classic Wool Coat
A classic wool coat will take you anywhere- from the work office to dinner, from Target to the mall, and anywhere in between. You can throw it on over jeans and a sweater (my personal favorite) and look instantly chic. You can also wear it over your dresses, skirts and formal attire without taking away from your look. Classics like black, camel, gray, or plaid are always a safe bet, but don’t rule out a pop of color with reds, purples and pinks.
This is my current favorite and this retailer has a ton of classic colors.
6.) The Puffer Coat
A puffer coat basically takes you anywhere your wool coat can’t. or, maybe it’s the other way around. Either way, both are wardrobe essentials. Puffers have always been my favorite style coat because they come in so many colors, lengths, and weights.
I picked up this bronze puffer this past weekend during the Black Friday sales and I could not be more excited about it. Here I styled it with jeans and this sweater (which is equally as amazing as the jacket- the inside is an ultra-soft fur! Wearing an xxs) but I will also style this with my joggers and leggings for a more causal outfit. The color of this coat is beautiful- it adds such a level of chicness to a coat. It is very lightweight yet VERY warm, the high color adds extra warmth too. The waist and hips are cinchable allowing you to customize your fit- which I love! It also is packable and fits into a small bag in the pocket. I bought the size x-small but could have also done the xx-small too. This coat also comes in black!
Check out my resent blog post for my Winter Coat Round Up, here!
7.) Sweaters
This sort of goes without saying, but I can’t really write a winter wardrobe essentials post without including sweaters, can I??? And while we’re at it why don’t we make it cashmere? Go big or go home, right?
Kidding but not really. A good quality sweater can work for so many occasions. Wear them to work with jeans/trousers, or a skirt or wear it on the weekend with jeans and sneakers or dress it up for date night with a pair of heels. Pay attention to the neckline and choose a style that is flattering for you. I mostly go for crew and mock neck style because I am flat chested.
Sweater Picks By Style:
Cashmere favorite
Mockneck favorite
Turtleneck favorite
V-neck favorite
Cropped favorite
Athletic Favorite (wearing above)
8.) Layering Tees
They are not fun to buy but they are necessary. I mostly opt for thinner short sleeve shirts for under my sweaters and cardigans to avoid added bulk.
These have been my go-to for years.
9.) Neutral Bag
You really need a natural handbag all year long, but it felt like this list wasn’t complete without a handbag. I always prefer a shoulder or crossbody bag. And while most of my handbags are fun colors and prints, I do think it’s important to have a bag tin a natural color that can be a go-to for you.
I have been eyeing this one- it’s beautiful! And this is great tote/work bag option.
10.) Layering Sock
I love using taller boot socks to add a pop of pattern/color to an outfit while still being practical and keeping you warm. I style these mostly by pulling them over skinny jeans/leggings and adding a bootie.
This retailer has my favorite boot socks.
I’d love to hear your thoughts! What would you add to this list? I realize that it will vary a bit for everyone, but I think this is a pretty good place to start. There are a TON of great sales going on right now, so hopefully you can take advantage of some of those as you fill in your winter wardrobe!
Outfit Details: Everything I am wearing in the featured photos
Jeans: They run TTS- wearing a size 25
Sweater: would make a perfect gift, so soft, and comes in several colors. Runs TTS- wearing an x-small
Bronze Jacket: Runs TTS- wearing an x-small but could have also done the xx-small
Boots: my all-time favorites! Run TTS- wearing a size 38 (8)
Scrunchie: perfect stocking stuffer! Comes in several color packs.
Sunglasses: My everyday pair!
Xo,
The Taylor(ed) Style Blog 