The Must-Have Pieces For Your Winter Capsule Wardrobe

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If you’re struggling to come up with outfit ideas for winter, then it’s time to build your own winter capsule wardrobe complete with timeless pieces!

Winter isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, so we might as well make the most of it. If you feel like you’re still missing some key pieces from your winter wardrobe, fear not, because we are here with some tips on how to create the perfect winter capsule wardrobe!

Capsule wardrobes have gotten really popular over the years. They are wardrobes made up of 25-50 pieces of timeless clothing items that you can wear over and over again for a long time. By having a capsule wardrobe, you can mix and match different pieces of clothing to create different outfits.

The goal here is to have pieces that more or less go with everything else in your capsule, meaning you can create more looks than normal, and re-wear the clothes more often than you perhaps did before. It goes to show that you can be fashionable and sustainable at the same time by repeating clothes and not having to buy newer clothes in order to keep up with the trend.

While capsule wardrobes can absolutely include a few trend pieces, their main focus is to consist of timeless pieces that can be re-worn for many more years to come without looking out of place. They’re trendy, economical, and sustainable all at the same time, so you won’t have to keep buying new clothes in order to keep up with the latest trends. Remember, less is more.

How To Build Your Winter Capsule Wardrobe

In the winter, you need to have a good set of clothes that will keep you warm and cozy. The first step is making sure that you have layers – lots of them! Since it’s winter, expect your clothing to be a little bulkier than usual. This means getting versatile pieces like tops with long sleeves, an oversized sweater (or two), a pair of straight-leg jeans, and other seasonal pieces.

The objective here is to mix and match as many pieces in your capsule wardrobe as possible, which is why we recommend sticking to basic neutral colors. This way, you don’t need to worry about clashing colors or bold prints. (With this said, if you want to include 1-2 statement pieces to your wardrobe, go for it! Fashion is meant to be fun, so the fewer rules you have, the better!)

Essentials For Your Winter Capsule Wardrobe

Long Sleeve Tops | To get started with your winter capsule wardrobe, make sure you have a couple of long sleeve tops that you can wear as they are or underneath your sweaters. If you want, you can purchase these in black, white and striped to give you more outfit options.

Striped Knit | Speaking of stripes, striped knits and sweaters are a classic to add to any winter wardrobe. You can opt for a figure-hugging fit or for knits that are more easy-going. Whichever you choose, make sure the knit is made of quality materials like wool to keep you warm during the cold months.

Chunky Sweaters | A wardrobe staple, it is an absolute must to include a few chunky sweaters in your winter wardrobe. A tan sweater like this one is a cute and chic piece if you’re going for a casual stylish look.

Wear this with black faux leather pants and a pair of Chelsea boots this winter season.

Turtleneck Sweater | Likewise, a turtleneck sweater is a must-have item in any winter closet, especially if you live in a colder climate. We would argue that these sweaters also add a bit of elegance to your outfit thanks to the elongated neckline.

Zip-Up Sweater | While not technically a necessary item to have, a zip-up cardigan or sweater is perfect for those who love comfort over anything else. These cardigans are perfect to lounge around the house, plus you can use them as a warming layer under your coat.

Prep Shirt | A prep shirt or a blouse is a great piece to add to your wardrobe if you love dressing business casual, or simply if you need one for office work. Layer it up with a sweater vest when you get cold!

Sweater Vest | A sweater vest can be used to layer over your favorite button-up shirt or your favorite dress for some added warmth.

Cardigan | A cardigan is a classic relaxed piece to have in any fall or winter wardrobe as it goes with so many outfits. Alternatively, if you’re not big on cozy cardigans, you can substitute this piece with a blazer instead.

Sweater Dress | Of course, what’s a capsule wardrobe without adding in a little black dress? In this case, a cozy black sweater dress is the best option. With this said, if you love easy outfits, why not get a couple of cozy sweater dresses in different colors to wear with your over the knee boots?

These dresses have been in style for years, and we can’t see the trend any time soon!

To accessorize, wear this with a dainty pearl necklace, a pair of black over the knee boots, and a wool coat. This outfit idea is loaded with timeless pieces that you can wear for many years ahead!

Wool Coat |Coats and jackets for the winter months are investment pieces, which is why it’s important to choose those that are sturdy, thick and made of high-quality fabric that’ll keep you warm, such as wool. Coats and jackets can either make or break your entire outfit, so make sure you invest in one that you love!

This gorgeous trench coat in cream can be mixed and matched with everything in our list, making it one of the most important pieces to add to your winter capsule wardrobe.

Puffer Vest | Consider adding a puffer vest to your wardrobe if you need an extra layer under your coat. These puffer vests are also great if you’re looking for extra insulation when you go jogging. Plus, they look cute on their own when the weather isn’t too cold, too!

(Faux) Leather Moto Jacket |This leather jacket is perfect for an edgier look. It’s a great transitional piece for when the weather starts turning warmer and matches multiple different outfits with different vibes.

Puffer Coat | Last but not least in the coat department is the puffer coat. These coats are simply the best when you want to keep warm. We are so glad that they are at the forefront of fashion nowadays, too!

Denim Jeans | Of course, a good pair of jeans and pants will serve you well. We recommend mom jeans for your winter capsule wardrobe, but you can also add in a pair of skinny jeans if that’s your personal style. Mom jeans typically have a thicker fabric compared to skinny jeans, which are more preferred for the cold weather.

Black Jeans | To add some variety to your wardrobe, consider adding jeans in a different color, such as black, dark-wash, or light-wash jeans. These can also be in a different cut to your denim jeans for added versatility!

Spanx Faux Leather Leggings | Spanx leggings belong in our wardrobes year-round, so you shouldn’t be surprised to see them on the list.

These leggings are so easy to style: just throw on any sweater, boots and accessories of your liking, and you’re good to go! For added warmth, wear them with tights underneath.

Knee-High Boots | There are different pairs of shoes you can wear during winter months, but we personally love boots. There’s nothing chicer than a classic pair of boots, whether it’s knee-high or ankle, or even thigh-high.

Plus, you can continue wearing these beautiful boots when the weather gets warmer with fun, feminine dresses.

Cream/Tan Boots |We highly recommend having at least one pair of boots in your wardrobe that isn’t black. Lighter colors like cream, beige, tan or white work well if the rest of your wardrobe is full of neutrals and nudes, like we’ve outlined in this post.

If you love heeled boots, feel free to replace these Chelsea boots with more feminine boots instead!

Black Chelsea Boots | Flat black boots are a must in any winter capsule wardrobe. These boots are perfect for days when it might be snowing, or when you simply need a bit of extra grip: think long walks, running errands, etc.

Scarf | For extra warmth, make sure to add in a few scarves in different colors! We recommend opting for wool or cashmere scarves for more warmth. Yes, they’re more expensive, but they are 100% worth the extra expense.

Black Bag | A black bag is a must not just for your winter wardrobe, but your overall year-round look. While you can choose any bag that you like, we love this beautiful top handle bag from Tory Burch that comes with a strap to keep your hands free.

Neutral Crossbody Bag | In addition to having a black bag, we believe every girl should own at least one beige or cream bag. These are perfect if you love wearing light colors, plus you’ll be able to bring the bag over to your summer capsule wardrobe, too!

You absolutely don’t need to purchase a designer bag, but if you find that you are saving money with your capsule wardrobe pieces (by not shopping all the time for new clothing), why not treat yourself to a high-quality bag that’ll last for years?

Commonly Asked Questions

1. How many clothes should be in a capsule wardrobe?

There’s no exact number, it really depends on your preference and budget! Typically, most capsule wardrobes are made up of more or less 25-50 minimalist pieces, including accessories, outerwear, and footwear.

2. Can I add winter clothes from last year to this year’s capsule wardrobe?

Of course, as long as they can be styled with other clothes you’ve included in your capsule wardrobe! The goal here is to be sustainable and economical, so it’s much better to reuse clothes from last winter.

We hope you found this guide helpful! Do you already have a few outfit ideas in mind? Let us know in the comments section! If you’re still looking for more fashion ideas, check the posts down below.