How to look chic in winter without freezing: My warm and stylish winter wardrobe
When it is cold outside it so easy to just throw on some sweatpants and an oversized sweater! In this blog post i am going to share with you my journey and evolution of my style, and how i am dressing this winter to stay warm and still look put together.
As i approach my 40’s, i have been feeling this need to upgrade the way i dress. I will admit that in the past my winter wardrobe mostly consisted of leggings and a hoody or a pair of jeans if i was feeling fancy. I think that as i get older i am realizing that i still dress like i did in my 20’s, but what i really want to be doing is embracing my age currently.
I have been creating style boards on Pinterest with images of outfits i want to try, you can check them out here.
I have also been purging items in my closet that don’t align with how i want to dress and letting old versions of me go.
I am really just going to try to find a way this winter, to still feel good and actually stay warm. To me, this is an act of self care that you can try too.
One thing that i also really want to try when it comes to my closet is, quality over quantity. I would much rather have three cashmere knit sweaters over 10 sweaters made of polyester.
In the picture to the left i am wearing my new knit sweater with the cutest ducks on it! Such a great sweater to wear when i am out volunteering at the farm. This sweater i found at a local winners but here is one that is similar.
The secret is in the layers
When we wear a base layer in the winter we can actually keep heat in and stay warmer. This is such a good trick to do when you are going to be spending a long time outside. But i know what you are thinking, aren’t base layers bulky? No, they don’t have to be when you do it correctly.
A simple outfit might start with a fitted thermal top, followed by a soft wool or cashmere sweater, jeans or trousers, and then a warm coat.
The beauty of this approach is that the individual layers don't have to be particularly bulky. A good base layer can make a surprisingly big difference, allowing you to wear some of your favorite clothes without freezing.
And when I come home, I can peel off the coat and scarf and still have a lovely outfit underneath.
Choose your color palette
I like doing this in each season because it helps to make one shirt or pair of pants go with many other items. As i get older i realize that i want to get good use out of all of the pieces i own. Selecting one or two different color palettes can help with doing this.
This year, I'm drawn to a palette of:
Cream • Camel • Chocolate Brown • Burgundy • Olive • Charcoal • Black
These colors work beautifully together, which means I can mix and match most of my wardrobe without having to think too hard about whether everything goes together, simple.
Cream and camel keep winter outfits soft and light, while chocolate brown and burgundy add warmth. Olive brings in a little bit of nature, and charcoal and black give me those classic grounding pieces.
A beautiful wool coat
If there is one winter piece worth investing in, I think it is a beautiful coat.
A good coat can make even the simplest outfit feel polished. Jeans, a sweater and boots suddenly look completely different when you add a beautifully cut wool coat.
I'm particularly drawn to classic shades like camel, chocolate brown, charcoal and black.
I also love the look of tweed for winter. There is something wonderfully timeless about a traditional tweed jacket or coat, especially paired with denim and leather boots.
The ideal winter coat is one that is designed to keep you warm but also keep you looking put together. I have been looking at the one pictured below.
Tip: When buying a coat for winter, always get a size up from what you normally wear. This will give a bit of extra room for chunky knits and layers.
Winter boots
Winter boots are a staple during the snowy, cold months. This winter i am done wearing bulky snow boots and i am looking at warm, tall boots that look great and will be able to handle ice and snow.
A classic tall leather boot, a sturdy equestrian-inspired boot or a beautiful pair of weatherproof ankle boots can all work with the rest of a winter wardrobe.
Scarves and accessories
A scarf might be one of the easiest ways to make a winter outfit feel completely different.
I love a large wool scarf that can be wrapped around the neck on particularly cold days. Cream, camel and chocolate are wonderful everyday choices, but I'm especially drawn to burgundy and traditional tartan this year.
Other good staples to have are:
A good pair of leather gloves
A knitted hat
Warm boot socks
My Winter Layering Formula
When I'm standing in front of my wardrobe on a freezing morning, this is the formula I'm going to be thinking of:
1. Base layer
A fitted thermal or lightweight long-sleeved top.
2. Warm middle layer
A wool, cashmere or chunky knit sweater.
3. Bottom layer
Jeans, trousers or warm leggings depending on the day.
4. Outer layer
A beautiful wool coat, puffer or winter jacket.
5. Boots
Something warm, practical and weather appropriate.
6. Accessories
Scarf, gloves, hat and handbag.
In my Amazon cart
As well as the camel coat above, here is what is in my Amazon cart for my winter wardrobe:
Disclaimer: When you shop on Amazon using my links, i do make a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you!
Always remember that just because it is winter we don’t have to compromise the way we look. It is an opportunity to try a new style and see which ones feel good to you.
Winter Wardrobe Shopping List
This is something you can use as a guide if you are on the hunt for some new pieces this winter:
A beautiful camel wool coat
A chocolate-brown sweater
A classic cream knit
A pair of well-fitting straight-leg jeans
A burgundy wool scarf
Beautiful leather gloves
A classic pair of winter boots
A warm neutral beanie
A timeless tweed jacket
A really good pair of thermal layers
