Winter here and many of us are currently looking to keep our wardrobe concise, but still want to be able to create chic looks. If you’re looking to do just that, then you’re someone that will benefit from creating a winter capsule wardrobe where you can mix and match a variety of pieces to create unique looks throughout the season. For those who are quite familiar with creating a capsule wardrobe, you’ve landed at the right place because I’m going to break down to you what a capsule wardrobe is, how you can create one, and provide you with a winter capsule wardrobe that will include the variety of different looks that you can create from it.
We all tend to get overwhelmed by the amount of new clothes that hit the shelves every reason, and some of us either want to keep to a different budget while still feeling like we are creating new looks each time we get dressed. In this winter capsule wardrobe, I’ve put together a collection of pieces that are centered around a winter-inspired color palette, and some of the pieces you may already have in your closet. With the pieces linked and styles shared, I’ll also provide tips on what you should be looking for and how to find it at some of your favorite stores that you already enjoy shopping.
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Winter Capsule Picks
CHIC WINTER CAPSULE WARDROBE
WHAT IS A Capsule Wardrobe?
A capsule wardrobe is a precise collection of pieces that allow you to create multiple interchangeable looks. These pieces are typically classic and include trends that have lasted over years so that you don’t have to worry about the piece going out of style the next year and having to create a new capsule wardrobe.
With a capsule wardrobe, you can splurge on items since you’ll only be purchasing a limited number of pieces.
HOW DO YOU CREATE A Winter Wardrobe?
A winter capsule wardrobe is a wardrobe that you’ll want to create prior to the season arriving and one that you’ll want to make sure that you can use each year. Winter capsule wardrobes tend to be easy to create if you have a fall capsule wardrobe, because the pieces can transition over with a few tweaks made and essentials added to the collection.
When it comes to your capsule wardrobe, you’ll want to center it around a neutral color palette as that is what will give you the ability to create a variety of interchangeable looks. You’ll also want to make sure that you are picking out pieces that you know you’ll wear each and every year and not pieces that are trending now and may not be trending the next year. For example, wool coats have been a classic staple that has lasted for years, so it would be safe to add that to your wardrobe compared to getting a thick faux fur coat.
WHAT SHOULD BE IN YOUR Winter Capsule Wardrobe?
Below, you’ll find a guide to what essential items you should have in your wardrobe along with examples of pieces that you can click on and purchase to begin creating your winter capsule wardrobe. You can use this list as a capsule wardrobe checklist as you search the web or go in-store to shop for your pieces.
COATS
It’s no secret that you’ll want to have a coat in your closet for the Winter because, depending on where you are, the temperatures can get pretty low.
A warm wool coat is a staple of the winter capsule wardrobe. You can find wool coats in a variety of lengths, fits, colors, and thickness. Choose the right wool coat for you depending on your height, layering preferences, and the typical climate of the area that you live in. I suggest going with a long, camel wool coat as it goes with everything and styles so well.
If you’re in a location where it gets super cold and possibly snows more often than not, you’ll want to have a puffer coat. The puffer coat is super chic and handles the brisk coldness super well. Similar to the wool coat, I suggest getting a long puffer jacket so that you’re not only just covering your top, but you also get a little extra layering around your legs.
Some days in the winter, the temperature rises but not enough for you to just walk out in a sweater. So, you’ll want to have a shirt jacket or shacket to wear over your winter tops. The shacket is a huge trend and similar to the other coat styles, you can get a shacket in various lengths, fits and thickness to fit your style and local climate.
TOPS
When putting together your winter capsule wardrobe, having a set amount of tops to create a variety of looks is essential. In your wardrobe, you need a high-quality, fitting long sleeved top. One of the best styles to go with is a crew neck top. It elevates the look and centers your neckline and keeps you covered in the cold. For a long-sleeved top, you’ll want to go with a neutral color whether it be gray, white, or a light beige.
A satin is one of the top trending fabrics. Satin tops are great for creating dressed up looks as well as casual looks all depending on how you layer it. There are a variety of styles that you can find in satin tops, but you’ll want to lean towards a button up top. It create sophistication, but most of all allows you to create multiple layered looks by putting another top under the button up or putting something over it.
Another top that is great to have to create some dynamic look is an off the shoulder top in a neutral color. Though having your shoulders out may be a little daunting in the colder weather, you’ll still want to have on for those indoor festivities where you’ll want to look a little dressier in combination with bottoms in your capsule wardrobe.
A blazer is another essential for your winter wardrobe. The blazer layers well over your long sleeved tops as well as over dresses to create an upscale sophisticated look that will stun. A textured blazer is a great style of blazer to style during the winter season especially to had a little bit of pizazz to a neutral top or dress.
SWEATERS
Sweaters are what typically take over our closets during the wintertime, and the main reason, which is highly obvious, is that sweaters keep us warm and comfortable. As you are building up your sweater collection within your capsule wardrobe, there are a few types of sweaters that you’ll want to have.
In your wardrobe, make sure that you have a neutral, non-print cardigan that you can layer over a multitude of looks. It’s up to you on whether you want a cardigan that buttons or not, but one thing that you want to consider is the length of it. Cropped cardigans are in, but it’ll restrict you on what tops that you can wear underneath.
Graphic sweaters have been back in style for the past few years, and each one brings on a different level of chic and sophistication than what you would think. You’ll want to have a graphic sweater in your wardrobe to create an effortless chic look that you can pair easily with a variety of different bottoms.
In your winter capsule wardrobe, you’ll also want to have an oversized knit sweater. Oversized tops are a big trend right now, and having an oversized sweater allows you to layer with a variety of bottoms including comfortable leggings and athleisure bottoms. You can chose which neckline that you want to go with, but for winter knit oversized sweaters, I typically advise going with a turtleneck to create a chic look.
DENIM
You probably already have jeans that you wear year round, so make sure not to pack them away when the winter hits. Your denim collection will be an essential in the capsule wardrobes of the various seasons, but for the winter, you’ll want to make sure that you have at least a pair of dark wash denim and black denim to style with your winter tops.
BOTTOMS
Other than jeans, you’ll want to have some other selection bottoms to go with your look. For those who are attending parties and/or heading into work, having a pair of tailored pants will take you a long way during the winter season and will have you creating a variety of sophisticated looks.
In addition to tailored bottoms, you’ll also want to have faux leather leggings in your wardrobe to create more dressed down looks. These bottoms will pair well with your oversized sweater and graphic sweatshirt.
DRESSES
Just because it gets cold outside, doesn’t mean that you should completely rule out dresses during the winter. It just comes down to having the right style of dresses in your wardrobe. For the winter, you’ll want to have at least one long-sleeved black maxi dress. A black dress is an essential for any season, but a comfortable long-sleeved black dress will have you looking chic each time you wear it.
Also add a long-sleeved mini dress to your winter capsule wardrobe. Whether it’s a satin mini dress or a thicker sweater dress, having one that you can layer tights underneath with your knee high boots will have you feeling cute and comfortable.
SHOES
Boots are something that you definitely need to have in your capsule wardrobe for the winter season. To start, you’ll want to have a pair of black booties that will pair with a variety of looks. Booties are great shoes to have since they look great with skinny jeans as well as flared or straight leg pants.
You’ll also want to make sure that you have a pair of knee high boots to go with your dresses that have a higher slit or for pants that have a skinny fit. Choose your heel height based on what outfits you are planning to put together with the boots. If you’re going for more casual, consider a lower heel.
Sherpa is a fabric that you’ll see a lot in winter clothing, shoes and accessories, so for the sake of warmth and navigating the snow and cold weather, you’ll want to get a pair of neutral, Sherpa-lined boots to keep your toes comfortable and warm.
For those who are planning to do a lot of walking around, especially for those who do a lot of in-store shopping during the holiday season, having a pair of trainers is another essential. Comfortable sneakers to wear around for running errands will be something that you’ll thank yourself for later.
ACCESSORIES
You’ll want to make sure that you have the optimal accessories for your winter wardrobe and that starts with having a hat. I suggest getting a beanie in a neutral color to wear during the winter season since you can pair it with a variety of looks and will go well with the different coat styles that you’ll have.
A crossbody bag is also one that you’ll want to have for carrying all of your things and also creating super chic looks. Having a crossbody bag allows you to drape your handbag over you and not have to worry about a bag that hands on your shoulders and slips off the arm of the coat or a clutch that you have to hold when all you want to do is stick your hands in your pockets.
LOOKS TO CREATE WITH YOUR WINTER CAPSULE WARDROBE
Now that you have your essentials pieces for your winter capsule wardrobe, let’s create a variety of different looks that you can style for a variety of occasions throughout the winter season. Below, I’ve created a variety of outfit ideas to help you fully visualize how this winter capsule wardrobe will work The variety of outfit combinations will have you feeling as if you are creating a new look with new pieces even though you have styled the piece previously.