15 Staples Parisians, Scandis, and New Yorkers Wear All Winter Long

Long after the holiday cheer wears off, there comes a point in winter when feelings of cheer are replaced with a sense of dread. Anyone residing in a region with exceptionally frigid weather knows the feeling we're referring to all too well. It's not rooted in a sadness surrounding the end of the holiday season but rather a realization that it will be months before spring. With that comes the harsh reality check that is cold weather. Frankly, nothing is more dread-inducing than worrying about what to wear in the winter (besides the weather itself). Even if you consider yourself an expert who's spent their entire life crafting cold weather–ready ensembles, every expert has their breaking point. That's when having a winter capsule wardrobe comes in handy.

Whether we like to admit it or not, we all feel the most inspired to get crafty with styling our staples the first few weeks of winter. However, once we experience our fair share of wardrobe malfunctions? Well, that's no longer cute. It becomes imperative to prioritize function over fashion at that moment, but that leads us to another problem: staple fatigue. Often, it can feel like we're stuck between wearing the same "passé" puffer coat (no shade) or simply choosing to freeze. But what if we told you those aren't the only options? There's no shortage of winter staples that can work for stony temps without sacrificing your style—turn to the style crowd for proof.

With fashion cities such as Paris, Oslo, London, New York, and Copenhagen boasting temperatures below freezing throughout the winter, it's created a climate that requires locals to learn how to dress for the cold. These are the best places to look for inspiration for building a winter wardrobe, which is precisely what we did. Ahead, we're breaking down the basics that make great additions to a winter capsule wardrobe based on their popularity, longevity, and versatility. While you don't need every one of these items, any one of them will make getting dressed in the winter a little more joyful (or at the very least easier).

Long Coat

Public service announcement: You don't have to wear a puffer coat to be warm this winter. There's a more polished option that's become a personal favorite among fashion people—ahem, the long coat. The benefit of adding this type of jacket to your winter capsule is that it's timeless enough to wear for years to come yet taps into recent runway trends. We'd recommend investing in a maxi jacket made from thicker textiles (e.g., wool, mohair, cashmere, or leather) to ensure it's as warm as any other winter coat.

Cashmere Sweater

Another winter staple you can't go wrong with adding to your capsule wardrobe? A cashmere sweater. While knitwear is a foundational part of every winter wardrobe, investing in quality sweaters will save you money in the long run, as they're more likely to be something you'll wear season after season. Plus, if we're being honest, cashmere knits are one of those cold-weather staples that feel as cozy as drinking a cup of hot chocolate—so, of course, there's so much appeal to adding them to our closets.

Baggy Jeans

Fact: Every well-curated closet includes at least one pair of jeans. But true experts know you can't just pick any random type of denim to don during a winter storm, especially if you want to keep warm. Typically, experts suggest that you opt for looser clothing that allows you to add layers easily and doesn't cut off your circulation—aka, skip the skinny jeans, honey. Opting for a pair of baggy jeans allows you to add thermal leggings (or tights) underneath based on the temperature and stay comfortable throughout the winter.

Ankle Boots

It's not wintertime if we're not talking about boots! More specifically, every capsule wardrobe needs at least one pair of ankle booties that can be paired with everything from denim to dresses. And while there are plenty of different types of booties that can do just that, we'd recommend opting for a pair that errs on the more timeless side—think pointed kitten heels or chunky Chelsea boots. Ultimately, you want to invest in a pair you can imagine wearing at least three different ways throughout the winter to ensure they're actually capsule-worthy.

Heavy Blazer

Let us set the record straight: Blazers have always been that basic, pointblank! But we must admit that not every blazer is functional for frigid temperatures. The last thing you want when it's "brick" outside is to wear a lightweight blazer, so investing in one made from thicker textiles is imperative. Pay attention to the material label on this basic before buying—i.e., opt for versions made from wool, tweed, leather, mohair, or cashmere—as it will ensure you make the most sound investment for the chillier months of the year.

Turtleneck Sweater

Although it's essential to pay attention to what materials your knitwear is made from to ensure maximum warmth, silhouettes play just as pivotal of a role. Sure, we all love a knit with a sweetheart neckline, but when it's windy outside, we're better off wearing something that shows less skin. Enter turtleneck sweaters into the chat. Frankly, nothing melds functionality and fashion better than this type of sweater, as it will keep you covered while giving off an air of sophistication.

Heavy Trousers

Not to sound like a broken record, but a big part of building a well-curated winter capsule wardrobe requires paying attention to textile weight. That's especially true when talking about trousers, which often are exposed to the elements (unless you're wearing an extra-long coat). Typically, the best way to ensure your pants will keep you warm once you step outside is to avoid materials that don't insulate well—e.g., cotton, linen, polyester, acrylic, and rayon. Instead, you'll want to look for pants with a blend of wool, cashmere, leather, or merino wool to ensure they're actually warm.

Leather Gloves

In addition to paying attention to your staples' thread count, accessories are another pivotal part of building a winter capsule wardrobe. Hear us out: Something as simple as leather gloves can be a game changer. It might not seem like it, but this "simple" accessory can make any outfit more functional for the most frigid weather and add that elegant flair that's been missing from your capsule wardrobe.

Comfy Sneakers

Picture this: You must go to the grocery store to pick up a few things, but it's freezing outside. Whether you loathe the idea of exerting effort to put on tall boots or want to be able to make a quick jaunt outside, having a pair of comfortable sneakers is a must. We recommend looking for a pair of sneakers that not only adds a bit of personality to your winter wardrobe but also has a sole with traction so you don't slip on the ice.

Extra-Long Scarf

It might seem obvious, but it's worth stating: Long scarves are a must for the winter. Although they seem inconsequential, that's simply not the truth. From a functional standpoint, this "simple" accessory can make any staple winter-proof. But considering that recent runway collections have centered this winter staple—in the form of coats with built-in scarfs, capes, and long scarves swaddled around the body—it's proof that there's no better item to buy for the winter.

Knit Sets

For those super-chilly mornings when you can't be bothered to come up with a creative outfit idea, you'll be thankful you have a matching knit set in your capsule wardrobe. It's one of the few items that will make getting dressed in the morning less stressful while simultaneously making you look more sophisticated (sans extra effort).

Thermal Underpinnings

Everyone who's survived winter snowstorms knows that one hack ensures you'll avoid shivering: embracing thermal underpinnings. It might sound out-there to wear a thermal T-shirt under your chunky cable-knit or a pair of thermal leggings (or tights) under your baggy pants, but trust us: It's a necessary part of dressing for below-zero temperatures. It can be the difference between being comfortable and cold to the bone (quite literally).

Fur Coats

If you're the type of person who can't imagine wearing one coat throughout the winter, you're not alone. Rather than limiting yourself to one outerwear option, consider investing in another timeless option: a fur coat. What's great about having two coats in your capsule wardrobe is that you can count on one to be your everyday coat while the other can be for occasions when you need to feel a bit fancier.

Sweaterdresses

Another basic that's bound to become your favorite item to wear on a brutally cold winter day? Sweaterdresses. One of the benefits of buying this "boring" staple is that it can be thrown on quickly with a long coat, boots, and maybe thermal layers—but it always looks like you put more thought into your outfit. It's one of the most straightforward ways to look stylish throughout the winter, which is why it remains a pivotal part of every capsule wardrobe.

Knee-High Boots

Hopefully, by now, you've got ample inspiration on how to build a capsule wardrobe that will make dressing during the wintertime, dare we say, a delightful experience. But should you need one last dose of inspiration, let us remind you that it's all about investing in classic items that you can count on to carry you through the cold season—be it a pair of knee-high boots or any other winter item you would consider staple-worthy. If you choose items you know you can wear in the cold, you may come to find that the wintertime can be quite cheerful.