The 11 Winter Fashion Items You Need
With winter well on its way, it’s time to start bundling up to stay warm. Fortunately, bundling up doesn’t mean that you have to sacrifice fashion. To stay warm and look good, check out these 11 winter fashion items that you need for the cold season ahead.
1. A (Cute) Winter Coat
A good winter coat is an essential, and since you’ll probably be wearing it quite a bit, it’ll be worthwhile to find a coat that keeps you warm and makes you feel confident. You’ll be wearing it over everything, so make sure you find something versatile; neutral colors will be much easier to match with the rest of your outfits.
2. A Quilted Vest
For warmer days that don’t require a heavy coat, a vest is a great option. It’ll help you stay warm without becoming overheated, and it’ll look great over basic long-sleeved shirts or sweaters. Try a neutral color that will go with anything, or mix and match your vest and shirt to liven things up.
3. Over-the-Knee Boots
Once the weather starts to cool, it’s time to put your sandals away and pull out your winter footwear. A pair of over-the-knee boots can add some interest to an otherwise dull outfit, and will also help you dress your jeans up a bit. Plus, they have the added benefit of giving you an extra layer to keep part of your legs warm.
4. Snow or Rain Boots
If you live in a region with less-than-perfect winter weather, make sure you have a cute pair of snow or rain boots ready to go for that snow or rain hits. If you’re going to be walking through snow, make sure that you have boots that are well-insulated; if Uggs aren’t your thing, then you might want to try out a pair of duck boots from brands such as Sperry or L.L. Bean. If your region tends to get a lot of rain, then it’s worth investing in a good pair of rain boots that will go with most of your clothes, so you don’t have to try to match your outfit on rainy days.
5. A Beanie Hat
Beanie hats are popular year-round, but even better in the winter when you need them to keep warm. Whether you want a plain, solid-colored beanie, or a colorful one with a pom-pom on top, you’ll be nice and warm, and can make a statement. Plus, if you’re having a bad hair day, you can easily hide it by throwing on a beanie.
6. Ear Muffs
When you’re not in the mood to wear a hat—or if you’re going out and don’t want to risk the hat hair—make sure that you have a pair of ear muffs on hand. They’re functional and they’ll give a cute twist to your winter outfit.
7. Sweaters
Sweaters are a winter staple, and you can create an easy and stylish outfit just by throwing one on with a pair of skinny jeans and some boots. Invest in a variety of types, so you don’t feel like you’re wearing the same outfit all the time; try an oversized knitted sweater one day, and a fitted V-neck the next for instance. The more comfortable sweaters you have, the easier it will be to get out of bed on a cold winter morning.
8. Sweater Dress
For occasions when you need to be a bit dressier, make sure that you have a more formal sweater dress. As you probably won’t want to go out wearing a cocktail dress when it’s cold and snowy, a sweater dress will be a savior. Pair it with some tights and booties, and you’ll be good to go. If you’re going to be attending a lot of parties over the holiday season, make sure you have a sweater dress ready in your closet.
9. Bright Colors
Since winter weather can get dark and dreary, and might become tiring after a while, make sure that you have some bright colors in your closet to lighten up those gray mornings. Try to find some sweaters with fun colors or patterns; throw one on with some jeans and you’ll have an outfit that’s comfortable, cheerful, and cozy.
10. Gloves
Gloves are another winter staple that, though they need to be functional, don’t require you to sacrifice style. If you’re into technology, you can even find gloves that will even allow you to use your phone while you have them on. If you live in a region where it tends to get really cold, stay extra warm with wool gloves—you can find some great gloves for the cold weather from Smartwool.
11. Scarves
In addition to being functional, scarves are also an accessory that you can have a lot of fun with. Look for fun colors and patterns, and try out some different widths for a bit of variety when you’re bundling up. Blanket wrap scarves are also popular, and are a great investment as you can style them in a number of different ways to switch things up.