The winter weather is making its way across the country and I have to say, I love it. That cool crisp chill in the air is such a relief from the humidity and heat we have here in the south. And the best part is that we get to finally break out all our favorite cold-weather fashion favorites we love to layer. Who’s excited?
Y’all know I am no stranger to a capsule wardrobe. I have done a spring version and a maternity version that you certainly should check out. So I wanted to curate a capsule wardrobe that’s fit for a season where holiday parties are part of the agenda but alas so are plans for snuggling on the couch with loved ones, trips to the store, and memorable dinners at a cozy restaurant…my favorite!
So what exactly is a capsule wardrobe? Creating a capsule wardrobe is all about editing down your closet to your favorite essentials that can easily be mixed and matched to create complete outfits. The point is to make it so you can open your closet in the morning and not have to stress about what to wear. Your closet is set up for success already with minimal pieces that are curated to be worn together in new ways!
With that, the point of creating a capsule wardrobe is so that you’re shopping online less and instead “shopping” your closet more. It forces you to create more outfits out of what you already own. You’re able to get a bit more creative and I think it makes fashion a lot more fun!
How To Create A Winter Capsule Wardrobe
There are no hard fast rules on how to create a “perfect” winter capsule wardrobe. Obviously, you know yourself and your style better than anyone else. Don’t be influenced by any capsule guide that these are 100% the pieces you have to own and nothing else. Quite the opposite. My winter capsule wardrobe here I hope serves as more of a guide as you curate your closet this season. So here are a few notes to keep in mind:
Think about the weather.
It’s winter, it’s likely cold. So skip the swimsuits and short sleeves and remember to add outerwear, long-sleeve tops, and sweaters into your capsule. Obviously, someone up north will have a different capsule collection than someone who lives in Georgia like me!
Consider your current lifestyle.
Winter 2022 is basically the same as the last couple of years…for me at least. Lots of being indoors with my newborn and toddler. So my capsule wardrobe this year focused a little less on party dresses and high heels and leaned into loungewear and comfort. But for “normal” life, you’ll want to choose pieces for your capsule that can easily transition from work to the weekend. Versatility is key!
Pick a color cohesive color scheme.
I mentioned this tip in my spring and maternity capsule wardrobes – you need to pick a “theme” for your outfits. I went with neutrals like grays, tans, and shades of blue. But I wasn’t afraid to throw in a few layering pieces like a puffer coat that added a small pop of color.
Only buy affordable staple pieces.
Here at Poor Little It Girl, y’all know I’m all about affordable fashion. Most pieces you’ll find in my winter capsule wardrobe (outside of outerwear which tends to cost a bit more) here are under $100. There’s no need to spend a fortune on high-quality staples right now.
Winter Capsule Wardrobe List
Not to play favorites, but I’d have to say this winter capsule wardrobe is my favorite one yet. I feel it represents my current, personal style the most. As I mentioned, my life now is all about loungewear and being comfortable, and boy did I embrace that with this roundup.
Tops
Winter weather means lots of cozy sweaters, flannels, and long-sleeve tops. Right now my go-to spot for sweaters is H&M – they’re amazing quality and wash/wear so well without breaking the bank. And don’t forget too to invest in some cozy sweater dresses this season as well.
Bottoms
Y’all know I live for black leggings this time of year, but don’t forget about a few other bottom options. No capsule wardrobe is complete without a classic pair of blue jeans, but I also added some loungewear pants and my new favorite wide-leg pleated pants to round out the category.
Shoes
No winter wardrobe is complete without comfortable footwear. For me, that’s sneakers, snow boots, and a nice pair of “fancy” flats I can wear out of the house. Under normal circumstances, I’d also add in a pair of heels, over-the-knee boots, or ankle boots. But alas, the comfort life chose me!
Accessories
Accessories are where we get to have a bit of fun among all the winter layers. I’m really into hair accessories like headbands and hair ties lately. They can totally elevate and update just about any look. But don’t forget about a great hat, and scarf too.
Outerwear
Just because I live in the south doesn’t mean it doesn’t get cold here. In fact, Atlanta gets downright chilly…sometimes even snows! So yeah, great outerwear is essential to my winter capsule wardrobe. There are a few pieces I think are essential for the season: a puffer coat, my favorite wool coat, and then a casual sherpa pullover or hoodie.
So that’s it, my complete winter capsule wardrobe is full of essentials to stay warm and stylish this season! If you want more capsule wardrobe fun, make sure you sign up for my newsletter below. I have even more tips and tricks in my guide that you do not want to miss!