You know the saying... winter is coming. Whether that winter is rough for you like a Northeast winter or milder like a So Cal cool, you'll need to be prepared for anything. Creating a capsule wardrobe is an ethical and practical way to create a functional and useful wardrobe that matches the season and matches your style. Fill your closet with essentials - jackets, sweaters, layerables, and so much more. In this guide, we'll showcase the top 8 style essentials every winter capsule wardrobe should have.
To start, let's start by taking a closer look at why a winter capsule closet is an essential part of a well-rounded wardrobe. It starts with comfort and ends with style, but dressing for winter is more dynamic than any other season. Winter is cold, unpredictable, and can be harsh. It’s important to create a winter capsule wardrobe that lets you dress comfortably while being prepared for anything the season throws at you. Think essential styles every winter capsule wardrobe should have in order to build your best closet yet that will make this winter and every winter after more comfortable and looking great.
To start, staying warm is a must, and what better way than with a classic crewneck or pullover sweater. Layer it under a coat for more warmth, tie one around your waist after yoga class or wear over leggings at the grocery store. The possibilities are endless with pullover sweaters and they’re an absolute winter wardrobe essential that should be added to any winter capsule closet stat.
The beauty of our Cottage Crewneck is that it's a perfectly heavy pullover. Thick knit, gently oversized, and still easy to layer. It's refined and effortless and will take you easily from work to home. Style with refined pants, maxi skirts, dark jeans, and so much more.
Another staple of the perfect winter wardrobe is chunky knit cardigans. They add a cozy feel and look great with dresses or pants, jeans or leggings. They can be dressed up or down depending on the accessories you choose to pair them with. During the winter we love pairing our chunky knit cardigans over dressy jeans, white skinnies, ripped denim, high-waisted midi skirts, and flowy linen pants for work.
The Shelter Cotton Cardigan features a gently dropped shoulder, an oversized fit, three perfectly spaced buttons, and distinctive details that make this cardigan both cozy and flattering. It's a layering must-have. Pull it over a top or turtleneck and put on a jacket over top for really cold days. Drape it over your shoulders at work for a refined and comfortable look, the options are truly limitless.
Next up, jackets. Finding the perfect winter jacket is crucial. We're not talking about goose-down jackets that will take you to the alpine regions. We're talking classic, ethically-made stylish jackets that are flattering and functional. One of the most important rules when it comes to layering is that you can never have too many layers. This means lightweight jackets are perfect for winter because they allow you to layer over sweaters and other pieces without feeling bulky or immobile. Cardigans are layering MVPs, but a light jacket adds a refined and utilitarian look to your whole outfit.
Finding the right jacket for you can be a fun and exciting challenge. Our Chore Jacket comes in classic neutrals and beautiful hues that will make any outfit come to life even during the darkest and coldest days. Choosing a simple, layerable jacket to add to your winter capsule wardrobe will be the durable, functional piece your closet might be missing.
Let's talk turtlenecks. Fitted, soft, comforting, and warm, turtlenecks are a style all their own that look great by themselves and pair effortlessly with tons of other styles too. They could be the most versatile cold-weather piece you'll ever own. They take you easily from chilly fall days all the way through early spring stylishly.
Our best-selling Monty Turtleneck comes in solids and stripes and are comprised of buttery soft spandex and cotton that helps them hug you in all the right places and layer perfectly under a variety of styles. It's got a refined dropped hemline, a double-layered neck for warmth, and a tagless neck for comfort all day long. They're made to last and so incredibly easy to style season after season.
Just because it's cold doesn't mean you have to pack away all of your favorites. Summer is made for dresses but you can take the comfort and style of your favorite dress into the colder seasons as well. Choose a long midi or maxi-length dress that you can layer and love this winter. Long dresses offer a great way to style through the holidays when you want to look great and be comfortable despite the temperature outside.
Our Chalet Tiered Dress features three flattering tiers that reach a near maxi length to keep you comfortable and warm as well as looking beautiful. It swings with ease, has pockets for cold hands, and layers so beautifully from top to bottom. Add a turtleneck underneath for core warmth or layer a cardigan or sweater over the top. Pair it with your favorite jacket, add tights or leggings underneath, and style it with thick socks and ankle-high boots or heeled clogs.
Let's get to the accessories. The first being the perfect winter beanie. We all need something to cover our heads and ears during the winter at one time or another. Sure, you may not experience snow first hand but wind, rain, and general greyness would make anyone want to snuggle into a warm beanie. The key to finding a great winter beanie is to think about thickness, color, and style. Some people like a more sleek beanie rather than bulky, some want it fitted, others prefer slouchy. Some like the rolls and poms and some prefer something more simple. Choose something that you'll want to wear over and over again and will go with many outfits.
Our Shelter Cotton Beanie is made from the same soft fabric that the Shelter Cardigan is made from and it's a head hug if we've ever felt one. The beanie is mid-weight so not too heavy and thick but still substantial enough for some serious warmth. It's mid-length meaning you can wear it unrolled for a longer and slouchier beanie style or roll it at the base for a more fitted look. No tassels or poms on this simple beauty, but it does have elegant ridges to give just the right amount of texture.
Covering up those little piggies is another essential part of changing seasons. Even if you experience a winter in the south, there is still times when you cover those toes and put away the sandals. When looking for well-made socks that are both functional and stylish, find those that are mid-weight and versatile. They'll feel great walking around home stuffed in slippers and will look great paired with boots, under dresses or, over tucked-in jeans.
Styling this winter doesn't have to be stressful. With clothes that move with you and keep up with your busy life, finding and investing in well-made essentials is necessary to have the capsule wardrobe you've been dreaming of. Look for high-quality pieces that bring out your confidence and style. From there, choose pieces that you'll love season after season and get creative with your style.
The Tradlands guide on creating a winter capsule wardrobe helps you streamline your wardrobe by selecting versatile, sustainable, and high-quality pieces that you can wear season after season. From cozy sweaters to classic denim, our winter wardrobe essentials are designed to mix and match effortlessly, making getting dressed a breeze. With Tradlands, you don't have to sacrifice style for sustainability. Shop our collection of timeless, ethically-made pieces and start building your winter capsule wardrobe today.
