With Winter in full swing, you may find yourself needing to adjust your wardrobe. Here are a few essentials you need not only for thermal comfort, but also to be incredibly stylish using only a few items. Read to learn about the winter wardrobe essentials for climate regions with warm winters, such as California, or on chilly days elsewhere, i.e., when the temperatures are just above the freezing point. Yes, you can wear winter dresses in chilly weather.
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Winter Dress
First, just because it is winter doesn’t mean you can’t wear a dress. The Winter dress is typically defined as one with long sleeves and made from a thicker material to keep you warm when the temperatures drop close to the freezing point. Instead of thicker material, wool fabrics do the trick. Wool namely reduces the loss of body heat.
Considering women’s dresses and winter dresses come in all shapes and sizes, you can easily find one that suits you and your needs. This is especially true when looking for party outfits over the festive season.
Basic Tee
The basic white tee is a staple in every type of capsule wardrobe, and that is no different for your Winter essentials. It can be worn on its own, layered under a coat, fitted pants, and everything in between.
Choose one that is made from thick cotton to keep you warm. Cotton will still let your skin breathe. Also choose one that is a bit more fitted to make it easier to layer.
Winter Coat
Clearly, a thick, warm Winter coat needs to find its way into your wardrobe. The style and color can be up to you. At the very least, the coat needs to be made from a warm and thick material and be lined.
Getting a warmer coat also means you don’t have to wear layers. On the contrary, you can easily find one that keeps you warm enough in chilly winter weather. Therefore, you only need to wear a tee or shirt underneath.
Puffer Jacket
A puffer jacket and a coat do similar jobs. However, people see a coat as more formal, whereas a puffer jacket is more casual. In the best-case scenario, you would own both. If your wardrobe leans more towards casual and street style, a puffer jacket is for you.
Once again, find a lined and warm coat or jacket. Best, if it is one in a neutral color because bold colors don’t pair well with all your clothes. A neutral color avoids the need to buy more than one .
Knitted Top
A big, comfy knitted top is a must for any Winter wardrobe. It’s perfect for a night at home in front of the fire, to quickly throw on when you head out. Furthermore, you can dress it up for more formal occasions.
Once again, opt for a neutral color such as cream or brown, but if you want to add a pop of color, you can’t go wrong with shades of green and blue. Both these colors are perfect for brightening up a chilly Winters’ day.
Winter Leggings
Similar to a tee, leggings can serve many purposes. They can be worn on their own, underneath a dress, or as an extra layer under pants or your jeans on those chilly, windy mornings.
Winter leggings, in particular, are much thicker and more durable, and will give you the extra barrier to keep the cold out. These are also a must for those who get and stay cold easily, as you do lose a lot of heat thru your legs.
Everyday Denim
Jeans are among the best and most versatile clothing items you can own, especially in regions with chilly winters. Thick denim acts as a cold barrier in chilly, windy winter weather. Furthermore, jeans can be dressed up or dressed down depending on where you are going and what you are doing.
Look for a fitted pair, not skinny, to accommodate a thin (less than 0.4 inch, 1 cm) air-layer around your legs for extra insulation. A thin air layer acts as an effective insulator.
As for color, you can go with the classic blue, acid-washed, grey, or black; all are great options for Winter and everyday wear. Indigo-dyed jeans are the softest.
Tailored Trousers
On the more formal side of things, a pair of tailored trousers are brilliant for the office and more formal events. As with the other items on this list, opt for thicker trousers or wool pants, to keep you warm and avoid needing extra layers.
As for color, everything from black and grey to beige and camel is perfect for Winter, adds some extra color to your wardrobe, and is more than versatile enough to be worn with almost anything you own.
Shoes
For shoes, especially if you live somewhere that gets snow and ice, you should invest in a good pair of boots. Not only will they keep your feet warm, but they will also protect your ankles in the event that you fall.
Doc Martens are always a great choice, but choose a boot that doesn’t have a very high heel or sole and a pair with a rubber sole with good traction and grip.
If you need to wait for public transportation or stay outside for an extended period, add an insole for extra insulation from the ground.
Accessories
For accessories, you just need to stick to the classics: gloves, a beanie, and a scarf. For gloves, avoid unlined leather gloves as they simply won’t keep your hands warm enough. Instead, opt for a lined pair of gloves or mittens.
For beanies and scarves, look for thick material or wool. For the scarf, choose one that is relatively long so you can wrap it around your neck and lower face, and use the extra to keep your core warm.
Photos of me: G. Kramm
Collages by: N. Mölders with photos from depositphotos.com
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