Hey there, its time to start working on your Winter Capsule Wardrobe Checklist! The winter season is almost upon us!! Although our first thought is usually the holidays, a slow panic creeps in when we think about everything we need to buy to update our wardrobes.
Whether you’re working on transitioning your capsule wardrobe for winter or need a few ideas to make your outfits a little more winter-friendly, below you’ll find our winter capsule wardrobe checklist. These items will help you focus on all the winter wardrobe essentials you’ll need for the peak of sweater weather.
What is a Capsule Wardrobe?
A capsule wardrobe includes all of your essential items that form the basic foundation of your outfits. These items, like your basic knits and jeans, are meant to serve you in any season throughout the year. When choosing these foundational capsule wardrobe pieces, the main goal is to choose timeless items that will stand the test of time and cover all your bases. Starting a capsule wardrobe is one of the most effective ways to ensure you have what you need to build timeless, classic outfits throughout the year. Below you'll find which items to add to your Winter Capsule Wardrobe Checklist!
How do you adapt your Capsule Wardrobe for each season?
Updating your wardrobe for a new season may seem overwhelming. Instead of creating a new capsule wardrobe each season, focus on adding a few season-specific pieces that build on your current wardrobe. Doing this will make creating a classic winter capsule wardrobe much more manageable! Think of this winter capsule wardrobe checklist as your cheat sheet!
So think of this winter capsule wardrobe checklist as a list of optional additions that will help transition your current capsule wardrobe into the perfect winter capsule wardrobe.
1. Your Workhorse Item - Layering Knits
Although your knits are probably not the most exciting part of your wardrobe, they are the workhorse in your winter capsule wardrobe and an essential that will save you in the winter. Choosing suitable knits will help you turn an otherwise unrealistic outfit that will leave you freezing your booty off into a warm outfit ideal for the season. These are truly one of my favorite pieces to buy early because you will live in them by the end of the winter. Add these knits to your Winter Capsule Wardrobe Checklist!
Outfit ideas: Knits are great as a stand-alone top when the weather starts to drop. As soon as it gets colder, they are the perfect item to layer under chunky cable knit sweaters and dresses when you need to add a little warmth to your outfit. Most importantly, they are the best base layer when switching from the colder outdoor temperature to the toastier indoors.
2. The Classic Turtleneck
Okay, picture this… classic Parisian girl strolling into a coffee shop wearing a classic black turtleneck with a simple red lip. If you’re looking for the perfect winter classic, you need this item in your wardrobe! You can opt for a classic black turtleneck or one in winter ivory. Either way, turtlenecks are the best item to add a dash of sophistication and warmth to your winter capsule wardrobe. Add these turtlenecks to your Winter Capsule Wardrobe Checklist!
Outfit Ideas: Add a turtleneck to a midi skirt and mid-calf boots to add a modern edge. Use it as a layering piece under a classic wool coat to make the perfect classic (and warm) winter outfit.
3. Black Leather Pants
Although you might spend an eternity finding leather pants that are both pretty and comfortable, once you do, it will forever be one of your best wardrobe finds. Black leather pants are the winter wardrobe essential that has returned year after year since the 90s. Although the style of the pants has changed a smidge, black leather pants have endured as a go-to piece for winter outfits. Add one of these black leather pants to your Winter Capsule Wardrobe Checklist!
Outfit Ideas: For the perfect date night outfit, pair ankle-length black leather pants with a long-sleeved bodysuit or turtleneck topped with a red lip for a sensual touch. You can also go for the classic black skinny leather pants with an oversized cable knit sweater and over-the-knee boots for a cozy yet classic outfit.
4. The Hero Piece - Wool or Leather Blazer, Your Pick!
Blazers work as a great layering piece at the start of winter when the frigid temperatures haven’t kicked in yet or if you live in a warmer climate. They’re also the best way to take a basic black outfit to the next level. Think of this as your hero piece; these blazers can be added to the most basic outfits, and you’ll instantly take them to a new level. Add these blazers to your Winter Capsule Wardrobe Checklist!
Outfit Ideas: Plaid wool blazers are a great way to add classic style and warmth to any basic outfit. You can do the same with a black leather blazer to add a modern edge to your outfit.
5. The Essential Coat and Jacket Mix
There are two coats I would definitely add when preparing your capsule wardrobe for winter - a classic long wool coat and a shorter sherpa-lined jacket. Making sure that these two coats are versatile and can meet the needs of your casual everyday outfits and your nicer weekend outfits is a must. These pieces tend to be more expensive, so you want to ensure you get the most use out of your investment. Next to your layering knits, your coats will likely get the most use, so I suggest saving up to get these investment pieces sooner rather than later. Add these coats to your Winter Capsule Wardrobe Checklist!
6. The Perfect Winter Skirts
There are two skirts that can get you through all of the events in the winter season- a silk midi skirt and a wool short skirt (with stockings, of course). These two skirts will cover you for all types of events this winter, from a more modest orporate holiday party to a holiday bar crawl with your friends. Add these skirts to your Winter Capsule Wardrobe Checklist!
Outfit Ideas: Opt for an ivory turtleneck with a black midi silk skirt and mid-calf boots for your next corporate holiday party. Adding the perfect red lip will tie it all together. If you have a girls’ night coming up, you can opt for a knit bodysuit, short wool skirt, and tights for a flirty yet classic winter look. Opt for chunkier lug-sole boots if you want to add a little edge to this outfit.
7. The Sweater Dress
Sweater dresses are truly a classic go-to date night outfit for winter. It’s so easy to make an instant outfit with the right sweater dress, and you can make it as simple or elaborate as you’d like by playing with accessories and your shoes. Add one of these sweater dresses to your Winter Capsule Wardrobe Checklist!
Outfit Ideas: One of my favorite looks recently has been mixing a taupe midi sweater dress with brown or black mid-calf boots. It’s such a classic, timeless look that can serve you for most occasions and can easily be dressed up or down with the right jewelry. You can always wear this dress with sneakers for a more casual look.
8. Boots, Boots, and More Boots
Okay, so in a perfect world we would have a pair of boots for every occasion. Sadly, our budgets don’t work that way. If you have to narrow it down to the two boots that will serve you through the winter, go with black mid-calf boots as your more dressed-up option and black lug sole boots as your more casual, utilitarian option. Add these boots to your Winter Capsule Wardrobe Checklist!
So there you have it! Your Winter Capsule Wardrobe Checklist! Remember, updating your wardrobe for a new season should be fun. Hopefully, this list will make the process less overwhelming. Focus on adding a few key winter-specific pieces to your existing wardrobe. This strategy will help you make the most of what you already have.
Happy Shopping!
xoxo
-K