Building Your Winter Capsule Wardrobe

When the chill of winter sets in, you not only want clothes that bring you comfort and warmth, but you also want effortless style. By creating a winter capsule wardrobe, your closet will be filled with clothes that you feel confident in and that you love. A minimalist winter wardrobe allows you to spend less time trying to decide what to wear and more time feeling fashionable.

Creating a capsule wardrobe for winter is a cinch now that you know how to build a base capsule. Simply apply the same principles you used to build your base capsule and add season-specific items. Use our capsule wardrobe checklist to be sure you include everything your capsule needs. In no time at all, you’ll have your winter wardrobe ready, and outfits planned. Let’s start by going over essential items to include in your winter capsule.

Winter Capsule Wardrobe Essentials

To build a winter capsule wardrobe, you’ll start with your base capsule and layer in items that are essential for the winter season. If you notice that some essentials work just as well for your winter capsule as they did for your spring capsule wardrobe, be sure to include them. These items are exactly what capsule wardrobes are all about!

Winter weather varies substantially from place to place, and it’s important to keep the climate where you live in mind when creating your winter capsule. If temperatures regularly fall near or below zero, your jacket choices will be much different than in locations with milder winter weather.

Here are some suggestions for what to include in your winter capsule:

Tops

• Neutral long sleeve shirt
• Mock neck
• Turtleneck
• Back/navy sweater
• Gray sweater
• Chunky knit sweater

Bottoms

• Dark denim
• Medium wash denim
• Wide-leg pant

Skirts and dresses

• Sweater dress 

Jackets

• Wool blazer
• Camel wool coat
• Puffer coat (if necessary) 

Shoe and accessories

• Sneakers
• Chelsea boots
• Waterproof boots
• Scarf
• Hat
• Neutral purse or clutch

Remember these suggestions are not meant to make you feel restricted. Capsule wardrobes are all about finding what you love and feel comfortable in, so you want to wear the pieces over and over again. Adjust your essentials to items that work best for you.

5 Timeless Trends for Winter

Just because your capsule wardrobe is centered around essential pieces of clothing that remain in fashion year after year, doesn’t mean you need to avoid trends. Including trends in your winter capsule wardrobe is perfectly acceptable so long as they are trends with lasting style. Here are 5 timeless trends for your winter capsule wardrobe in 2021 that will work years beyond this one. 

All Weather Jacket

Stay warm and dry in the coldest months of the year with an all-weather jacket that looks trendy every winter. If it gets near freezing where you live, or you just feel freezing, a puffer coat is a great addition to your capsule. If a puffer coat seems like more than you need to get through the winter, choose another jacket that will keep you warm and dry all season long. Try to select one that looks great with your winter weekend capsule wardrobe as well as your winter work capsule wardrobe.

Monochrome

Monochrome is a classic look that works well in any season but trends well in the winter. Pair similar toned items together for a chic winter look that demonstrates how stylish you really are. This trend is easy to achieve with items already in your winter capsule wardrobe because the colors that look best for a monochromatic outfit are neutrals. Play with all-black ensembles, all gray, or another winter neutral you like.

Black Tights

Nothing says winter wardrobe like black tights paired with a skirt or winter shorts. Depending on how early the chilly weather starts where you live, you may have included black tights in your fall capsule wardrobe and they will get even more use in your winter capsule.

Straight-Leg Jeans

Easy to pair with literally everything, a timeless trend that endures is straight-leg jeans. This cut of denim works especially well during winter months because there is room to wear thermal tights underneath if need be.

Chunky Boots

From military boot to platform, choose the type of chunky boot that best suits your style. These boots are not only a sustaining trend, but they are also utilitarian and one of the best footwear choices to keep your feet warm in every climate.

Winter Capsule Wardrobe Outfit Ideas

With all of your essentials selected and additional pieces added from sustaining trends, you’re now ready to have some styling fun! Mix and match tops and bottoms with shoes, outerwear, and accessories to create winter outfits with ease. Here are a few outfit ideas that can be easily made with items from a winter capsule wardrobe.

Everyday Casual

For an everyday casual look that keeps you as warm as it does fashionable, pair medium wash denim with a mock neck sweater and sneakers. Complete the look with a camel wool coat, a scarf, and a beanie. Accessorize with a black crossbody.

At the Office

Your winter work capsule wardrobe ensures you don’t exhaust yourself before you even get to work. A simple and stylish office outfit includes wide-leg pants, a turtleneck, and a wool blazer. Accessorize with delicate jewelry and a neutral handbag.

Going Out

You can still look cute when you bundle up for a night out during winter. Wear a tight-knit sweater dress with black tights, Chelsea boots, and a puffer coat. Be sure to add chunky jewelry and a clutch.

Create A Warm and Stylish Winter Wardrobe with Dressbarn

Let a minimalist winter wardrobe boost your confidence and save you time and money this winter. Find everything you need to create your winter capsule wardrobe at Dressbarn. From blouses and pants to dresses and accessories, get fashionable items for every season. Now that you’ve mastered your winter wardrobe, keep reading to get started on your summer capsule wardrobe!