Winter is upon us once more. As the days get shorter and the sleeves get longer, the time has come to retire our shorts, skirts, and tank tops. But many of us are left wondering, How can I look stylish but stay comfortable and warm without looking like Ralphie from that scene from “A Christmas Story?” Well you’re in the right place. Building a capsule wardrobe of items that will never go out of style is essential for winter. Here are seven classic, timeless winter items to start your winter capsule wardrobe. Trust me, you won’t want to be left out in the cold on this one.

Double Breasted Coat

Double breasted coats are one of the most essential and versatile items you can wear in the winter. My camel coat is one of my favorite items in my wardrobe; I wear it all fall, winter, and spring. You can easily dress it down with sneakers, a classic white tee, and your favorite light wash jeans. On the other hand, you can dress it up by tossing it over any outfit before you head out for a night on the town or holiday event. It is important to put comfort over style on this one; that heavy wool coat with shoulder pads may look expensive and phenomenal, but you’ll want to take it off within 5 minutes of wearing it. Instead, opt for a lighter wool, cotton, or polyester material. Here are some of my favorite inexpensive double breasted coats for this season: 

• This coat from Missguided is a perfect example of my favorite basic camel coat. It is important to note that, since this coat is from a cheaper website, it will not be very thick or weatherproofed.  
• This colorblock coat from Dept. Anonym is the perfect way to stand out without being too flashy. The neutral shades and more shape make it suitable for men and women. 
• This J.Crew coat is the perfect shade for both winter and spring. It is the perfect statement coat to throw on over a monochromatic outfit for a bit of oomph.

Puffer Jacket 

I don’t know about you, but I have been wearing puffer jackets since I was a kid. They’re casual, cozy, and probably keep you the most warm of any coat out there. Most people stick to the usual North Face black puffer jacket, but why be like everyone else? This winter, experiment with different colors, prints, and even lengths. It’s a sure way to maintain that classic puffer coziness but add a bit more style and edge. Here are some of my favorite statement puffers: 

• This puffer coat from Boohoo is the perfect color for winter; yellow is a color we don’t see too much in winter. The high shine makes it look like leather or vinyl, adding an extra little touch to this classic winter item.  
• This bright green puffer jacket from Zara has a combination of factors that make up a great winter coat. The slim design as well as the high collar will truly insulate the heat. I have been obsessed with kelly green lately, so this coat is truly stunning to me. 
• This Mango puffer jacket has a different design than many others. Instead of a zipper, it has a belted tie, collar, and quilted pattern. There are a multitude of ways to wear it according to the season and the ecru color is suitable for every season. 

Moto Jacket

Moto jackets, also called biker jackets, are a great way to add a bit of edge into your wardrobe. They’re perfect to wear with a plain t-shirt or a satin tank top for everyday or a night out. I recently purchased a beige suede moto jacket and it is quickly becoming one of my favorite items. The silver hardware on the buckles and belt are almost an accessory themselves. If you’ve ever wanted to add a little Danny Zuko to your usual Sandy wardrobe, check out my top picks below: 

• This oversized, boxy fit leather moto jacket from ASOS is edgy and also captures a ‘90s vibe. It’s perfect to wear with a monochromatic look with some chunky boots or even wear it over a dress. 
• This pale pink, cropped, faux suede moto jacket from Pretty Little Thing is a great way to add a girly, feminine touch to a biker jacket. Pairing it with white booties is the perfect outfit for that mid winter lull period in February. 
• This black, faux fur black leather moto jacket is a great coat for a snowy, cold Pittsburgh day. The fur makes the coat that much more warm and cozy. 

Oversized Blazer 

A boxy fit, oversized blazer is a great winter piece for both men and women. In the winter, you can layer them over a turtleneck sweater for a warm business casual outfit fit for the office or just going to the grocery store. In the spring, you can wear them with jeans and a t-shirt, or even with shorts in the summer. Overall, throughout the seasons of your life, a good oversized blazer is a worthy investment. Here are my recommendations to make a smart investment: 

• This grey blazer from Makenna Stone has a longline fit- which is one my favorite types of blazers. It is important when wearing an oversized blazer to make sure it still looks like it fits you, and this blazer seemingly has a tailored element to it. 
• This blazer from Missguided color blocks beige panels and houndstooth panels to create a formal yet modern look. Houndstooth is one of my favorite prints so to see it presented in such a way is interesting. 
• This neon orange River Island blazer is the perfect addition to any winter outfit. In the winter, we all want to dress in dull colors; they represent our blah moods. But this sunny blazer is the perfect dose of vitamin C you need; orange you glad you found it? 

Turtleneck Sweaters

Turtlenecks are my favorite top to wear in the fall, winter, and spring. As soon as the temperature dips below 60 degrees, you’ll find me wearing a turtleneck sweater. They’re such a classic staple to wear underneath a blazer, coat, or sweatshirt. The turtleneck can almost act as its own accessory. I highly recommend thrifting for turtleneck sweaters; they’re relatively cheap, you can find them anywhere, and they’re probably thicker than the ones you can find online. Here’s my picks for the best turtleneck sweaters to bundle up in from around the web: 

• This cable knit turtleneck from Banana Republic is a perfect example of my favorite classic winter sweater. It’s a timeless staple that will never age, and that thick collar is just cozy perfection. 
• Something even better than a turtleneck is this mock neck pink sweater from Lulu’s. Mock necks are easier to wear, in my opinion, just because you don’t have to worry about your turtleneck fold moving. 
• Something to really experiment with this season is cutouts, like in this turtleneck from Marcella New York. The shoulder cut out is innovative and daring, adding just the perfect amount of uniqueness to this winter staple. 

Chunky-Soled Boots

If you live in a snowy area like I do, then winter boots are a MUST HAVE. Ballet flats, heels, and even sneakers just won’t hold up through the slush and ice we must trudge through every day. But, just because you need winter-proofed boots doesn’t mean you have to buy bulky, plastic winter boots like you had when you were a kid. Toss on a pair of cute boots and make that icy sidewalk your runway! Here are my picks for chunky soled boots for this season that will keep you feeling warm, but looking icy: 

• These boots by Jeffrey Campbell are, in layman’s terms, to die for. The square toe, slim yet chunky fit, silver hardware on the toe and heel: I just can’t say enough good things about this shoe. 
• These boots from Ego Shoes are the perfect way to add a little edge into your wardrobe on those days when it’s snowy. The cream color and small pouch on the ankle are some of the little details that set this boot apart from all the others. 
• One of my favorite boot trends this season is when the sole is a different color than the boot. These green-soled boots by Steve Madden are a perfect example. The pop of color on the sole is much needed in the winter and adds a pep in your step that you don’t even have to think about. 

Heeled Boots

Though not necessarily appropriate for a cool, snowy day, boots with heels are perfect for every occasion in between. Thanksgiving with your in-laws, Stuffing your face with Reese’s cups on Easter, running to get takeout after burning your dinner on Valentine’s Day, the list just goes on and on. Here are my top picks for heeled boots for this winter: 

• These snakeskin booties from Steve Madden are a good example of great winter heeled boots. Snakeskin is one of my favorite prints for winter; it combines all of the classic winter colors into such a beautiful print (not to mention that it matches everything). Combine this with the silver hardware in the front and sock boot look, and I’m in love. 
• Western boots are slowly becoming one of my favorite styles of boots. The pointed toe and curved tops are the perfect elements to add to an otherwise boring outfit. Contrasting them with other styles of clothing, like skirts and dresses, creates a stylish look. These Western boots from Nasty Gal are a prime example of this, and the height is perfect. 
• A staple in my personal winter wardrobe is over-the-knee boots. Heeled over-the-knee boots, like these from Forever 21, are perfect for the holidays. If you don’t like wearing heels and would prefer not to walk with the gracefulness of a baby giraffe, flat over-the-knee boots, like these from American Eagle, are perfect for everyday wear. Over-the-knee boots are also great because they add another layer of insulation to keep your legs warm in the winter. Wear them with any shorts or skirt you have to instantly make it a winter look. 

 Hopefully you fell in love at frost sight with some of the pieces above. This winter is the perfect time to experiment with your style and try out new pieces you might not think are your style. One tip for winter fashion, and I cannot stress this enough, is not to shy away from color. If anything, winter should be a time to wear more color. Everyone tends to gravitate toward dark, muted colors in the winter. I know I tend to wear monochromatic black outfits at least once a week from November to March. This year, Break out those neon sweaters, jewel toned pants, bright hats, and anything and everything printed. 

 How are you planning on switching up your winter wardrobe this season? Will you buy any of the pieces from the blog? DM us on Instagram and let us know for a chance to be featured on our social media.

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