Okay folks, its that time of year when you want everything, but then when you go out shopping you can’t find a thing. So I’ve decided to put together a comprehensive list of my favorite wardrobe staples for the upcoming winter months and wanted to share with you! This list is a mixture of things I do have or very similar versions as a lot of my things are much older and are no longer available so I did my best to find the next best thing!
The Black Everyday Coat
If you live anywhere north of Florida, you’re going to run into a time when you need a winter coat. While I do suggest getting a full down parka (i.e. North Face, Canada Goose if you’re super boujee, or something similar) if you are in the midwest and really need something warm, I also can’t live without a nice winter coat. Something you can wear out to dinner and not be embarrassed by the size and will also look good with your outfit. I like a little leather detailing or the fur detailing on the Vera Wang coat I’ve linked below. I grabbed a coat that I love by Badgley Mischka at TJMaxx last winter and its absolutely my favorite purchase of the last 5 years, hands down. If there’s something that I suggest splurging on, it’s a great winter coat.
The Pants
The Leggings
Leggings don’t need much of an introduction, they are a closet staple anytime of the year, not just winter. 3 of my favorites are the Zella, Lululemon, and Spanx ones, shown below. Both the Zella and Lulumeon Wunder Under leggings are a bit on the warmer size and perfect for pairing with a turtleneck to go out into the snow with.The Spanx pair were a part of the Nordstrom Sale this year and I could not go a day without hearing about how incredible they are. I didn’t swoop them up, because I currently have too many leggings, but in the next sale, I probably will.
The Jeans
This section also goes without saying because who doesn’t love jeans!? I have to get on my soap box for a second and say that the stigma that jeans are not comfortable is completely false. I could literally live in my jeans for the rest of my life and be completely fine. If your jeans are not comfortable, you’re wearing the wrong jeans. Okay, I’m done now. But here are some of my favorite jeans. I only wear high waisted jeans these days so all of these are high. and I mean like SUPER HIGH. I do want to call out the Abercrombie jeans because I am obsessed with them. They are incredibly high, 10.5 in in-seam, so soft and comfortable, and the knees do not give out! I wear these literally 6 days a week and have been using the same pair for the past 6 months or so and they are still perfect. I will shout it from the mountain tops that Abercrombie jeans are high quality. And it doesn’t hurt that they go on sale for like $35 or $40 every few months or so. So wait for a sale.
The Cigarette Pant
Next up, the business casual cigarette pant. I’ve recently been getting more into these, especially if I’m just wanting something different than my jean look. (Which isn’t often). They’re the perfect pair of pants to dress up or dress down and I love that about them. The type I’ve been gravitating towards more are the straight cut bottoms where they aren’t suction cupped to your ankle, but just have a nice finish on them while giving your ankle some room to breathe. I have the Topshop ones below and they are super high waisted and slimming and they look great with everything.
The Skirt
I have a love hate relationship with skirts. This year is the year of love. While skirts will always be hard for me to find that fit just right, I’m diving into the deep end this year and have already picked up 2 that I’m pretty happy with, and with price points both under $20, I was willing to take the risk. Paired with a tight sweater or turtleneck and tights, and you’ve got the perfect dressed up winter look!
The Tops
The Blazer
You have to have a blazer. Throw it on with some jeans and you have the perfect business casual look. Need to be a bit more dressed up? Put on some suit pants with it and you are full on business dress code. I love pairing it over unexpected items like a sweater or a graphic tee for something a bit more elevated that just a traditional blouse underneath. The right fit is critical to making this look effortless and not office cubical, so make sure you try on a few different fits and lengths before finding your one true blazer. I tend to prefer the longer length fits which are a bit roomier and they never fail me.
The Natural Sweater
I’ve really been into the neutral tones lately (honestly, when am I not?) and more specifically the tans and browns. Last year was the year of grey for me and this year its the year of tan. I am loving all of these neutral sweaters and they always look great on. You can’t go wrong. Throw it under a blazer, add some jeans and you are set and warm at the same time!
The Turtleneck
Though very similar to the tan sweater, and allowed to be purchased in the same color, the turtleneck is an essential part of any winter wardrobe, especially in the north. its not enough to just have a scarf, you need to have a built in scarf at all times and that’s where this comes in handy. The H&M turtleneck below is honestly the softest thing I’ve ever owned. I randomly purchased it one night without trying it on and it is my favorite sweater. The collar stands up much better than the picture makes it look, so it gives you that high collar look like a turtleneck should look like. No shawl neck collars here, no sir.
The Cardigan
Another essential that one should have in all the neutral colors because you cannot go wrong with is a cardigan. Pairing these with a simple shirt and leggings is basically my uniform on the weekends and sometimes at work. The trick to watch out for is to make sure the shoulders don’t make you look too boxy. The lower the seam line on the arm, I tend to find that those fits don’t work the best on me and I should look for something with a higher seam line. Try on a bunch of styles and see what sewing style works best with your body type.
The Blouse
For when you want to kick it up a little notch or you have a kinda formal holiday party to get to, these are your go-tos. Find one with some cute extra detailing or something slightly oversized and pair it with cigarette pants or pixie pants and a heel and you are set!
The Extras
The Booties
This is your tried and true staple. The black bootie. You literally cannot go wrong. Invest in these and you will thank yourself with every step you take. No further commentary necessary.
The Scarf
I don’t need to persuade you to know that you need a scarf. They not only make you 45 times warmer, they are all the rage. Don’t you love it when styles align with actual human necessities? Like actually being warm?! Love it when that happens. I love the oversized scarves this year andthewse ones are ASOS are great. Someone else who makes some incredibly soft scarves is Forever21. They don’t list them online, but some of my favorite scarves have been purchased there, so I suggest looking in there the next time you pop in.
So there you have it! Basically everything you could need for the upcoming months! I basically wear a variation of these clothes everyday for the next 5 months in Chicago. Hopefully you’re all staying warm out there and Happy Thanksgiving!
