Winter Capsule Wardrobe Essentials

Building on from my summer wardrobe essentials post last week, I wanted to talk winter capsule wardrobe essentials. Namely, because it’s winter, and this is what I’m actually wearing.

As with last time, I shared a full run through of my essentials over on my YouTube channel along with a bunch of different outfit ideas. If you want to skip straight ahead to the outfits, they start 17 mins in.

WINTER CAPSULE WARDROBE ESSENTIALS

Oversized sweater | Kicking things off with the ultimate winter staple; knitwear. My personal preference has been skewed pretty heavily towards oversized silhouettes of late. I like the idea of being enveloped in a big cosy hug. And I don’t know if it’s just what I have in my own wardrobe, but I find my oversized knits tends to be “chunkier” and warmer overall. I like to have one or two which are a bit longer through the body so I can wear it back to leggings, while keeping my bum and hips covered.

Wool coatigan | I also love a wool coatigan. Or a house coat. Something that’s long, and feels a little like a blanket when you’re seated, all wrapped up in warmth. I have a few in my closet now, but I’d suggest going with a neutral colour – black, grey, navy or camel – to really maximise your wear.

Merino roll neck knit | A great underpinning or base layer is a lightweight, merino roll neck knit. Merino is great because it’s non-irritating against the skin, and it has properties that make it suitable for wearing (almost) year round. I like to wear mine with a blazer over the top, or underneath my heavier knits on especially cold days. If you love wearing dresses but find it hard to make them cold-weather appropriate, again, one of these fine merino knits will save the day.

A silk blouse | For something slightly dressier, it can be nice to have a silk blouse in your winter capsule. For one, it adds a different texture to your outfits. I know I’m not the only one who reverts to wearing a lot of black during the winter, so having a silk element in my outfit is a simple way of creating more of a multi-dimensional outfit.

Black silk slip dress | If you live somewhere cold, layering is key. And one way I love doing this is through a slinky slip dress. It’s why they always feature in my winter capsules. This is one of those rare year round items that also works well worn dressed up and dressed down. Another great option to have is a long-sleeved maxi dress, either in a knitted fabric, or a thick ribbed cotton (you know, for texture).

A few good pairs of jeans (I like an off-white pair, a mid-blue, and a faded black) | Denim tends to sit up there as a style staple for most people, so this is another one of those winter capsule essentials I don’t think you want to miss. I like to have a few different options in my winter wardrobe. First, a nice light coloured pair – a current go-to are these ones from Madewell. Second, is a mid-blue wash, or even a darker blue denim. Finally, a black or faded black pair (I especially love this pair from Everlane). This gives me options for styling, particularly if I’ve opted for a few different silhouettes (skinny, straight and wide leg).

Black high waisted leggings | Leaning into activewear as everyday wear, and just overall comfort in general, I’ve started to find a place for leggings in my cold weather wardrobe. One that I tend to wear with something longer on top so that I can cover up my hips and bum.

A slim or straight leg trouser | Another one of those items that I think works year round, and for multiple occasions. I shared a reel here with just a handful of options, but since finding the right pair for me, the styling opportunities have really felt limitless. Another piece I’d suggest opting for in a neutral colour to maximise versatility. If you want some added texture, then I love also having some leather trousers to hand.

An oversized wool blazer | A good all rounder. Something to finish off your outfits – even the casual ones – and feel smart and put together with minimal effort. My favourite is this one from Everlane. It’s slightly oversized, but doesn’t feel overwhelming on your frame (I stuck to my usual size – US4 – for reference).

A fun statement jacket | You could really take or leave this next winter capsule wardrobe suggestion; a fun statement jacket. If you’ve watched the video above, you’ve probably noticed that my winter wardrobe picks tend to lean quite dark. There’s not really colour in there, and sometimes, that basic colour palette can start to feel a little stale (especially once you hit that two month mark into a season). Something in a fun texture, print, or even colour can really be the piece that lifts up your whole outfit. Or maybe just makes you smile every time you put it on.

A “go-with-everything” coat | Despite what my Instagram might suggest, you really only need one good coat in your wardrobe. Something that works back with your colour palette, and is suited to the climate you live in. I’m in Sydney, so an unlined wool coat is perfect for me as it adds warmth without any bulk. It’s also a good windbreaker, too. If you live in a colder climate and need something that’s heavy duty, I’d recommend a knee-length puffer. A lot of brands have compact down jackets, which have beautiful quilting on the exterior if you’re after something that feels a little more elevated.

A large leather tote bag | Something classic that works for both work and play. I personally love this one from Cuyana (mine’s held up so well over the years), as it’s a great hold all. Perfect for stashing in my laptop, notebook, a small lunchbox, and also an extra knit, gloves, beanie or oversized scarf.

A small crossbody bag | For days when I’m carrying around a lot less, I also like to have the option of a smaller crossbody. Mostly because it’s hands-free, and from a styling perspective I really love how smaller bags look paired against a substantial coat.

A pair of leather loafers | There’s three go-to shoe styles I like to keep in my winter capsule. First, a great loafer. Black is the obvious choice, in a nice clean silhouette. It’s timeless, and if you take care of them well, they’ll last you years (and I promise you won’t tire of them). A blank canvas if you want to go for a fun sock too.

Black ballerina flats | An alternative to the loafer would be a ballerina flat. Where the loafer is a bit more masculine in its silhouette, the ballerina feels dainty and feminine. Personally I prefer a style that has a slightly pointed toe. This draws the eye down further and has the visual effect of lengthening the legs.

A pair of every day boots | Last pair of shoes to have in your winter wardrobe is a good boot. My go-to pair for this winter are a black flat chunky combat boot. For me this is the shoe I wear when I need a bit of extra coverage around my ankles, or want to embrace a larger silhouette on my feet to balance out slimmer proportions up top.

Final few accessories to have on rotation? A great belt, an oversized wool scarf (bonus points if it can double as a blanket), a wool beanie, and some cosy woollen gloves.

Is there anything I missed that you’d include in your winter capsule wardrobe?