Ever wonder what to put on in the winter?
Know that it’s going to be extra cold, but never know what to wear?
If you’ve ever stepped outside and wondered what sweater or jacket to wear, this article is for you.
Although winter is a great time to get cozy and wear your favorite sweaters, it can also be tricky to find the right pieces to keep you warm and stylish.
In fact, if you don’t have a good understanding of how to layer your clothes and accessorize with scarves, hats, and gloves;
Your outfit could end up looking like something from an episode of “How Not To Dress” or “What Not To Wear.”
If you want to avoid that kind of look this year and learn the five things you need to avoid in your winter capsule wardrobe;
Then this article is for you.
A Background Of What A Capsule Wardrobe Is
It’s winter, and it’s cold outside.
Yay!
But that doesn’t mean you should have to suffer through another season of wearing the same old stuff.
A capsule wardrobe is a complete collection of clothes that you wear frequently, with each item in the collection serving a specific purpose.
It’s not a room full of clothes but rather an organized selection of pieces that work together to elevate your look and make getting dressed easier.
A capsule wardrobe helps you save time and money on shopping because it forces you to consider what clothes are worth buying and how much time you’ll actually spend wearing them.
It also helps you stop wasting money on clothes that aren’t worth buying because they’re just going to sit in your closet forever—and that’s no fun for anyone!
By curating a capsule wardrobe, you’ll be able to put together outfits faster than ever before.
That means less time spent stressing about what to wear and more time for everything else in life.
Plus, if something does happen to go wrong with one piece of clothing in your closet (like it gets stained or ripped), then it won’t ruin your entire outfit!
Having A Capsule Wardrobe Brings A Different Kind Of Happiness
Having a capsule wardrobe brings a different kind of happiness.
I’m not saying you’re going to be skipping around your room singing and dancing, but it does make everything so much easier.
You know what you have, and you know what you need.
You can see exactly what is missing from your closet;
And the thrill of finding something new is replaced with the satisfaction of having an entire closet full of things that suit you perfectly;
Without taking up too much space or spending all your money on clothes that will only ever get worn once or twice.
But it’s also a little bit more than just organization;
It’s about feeling good and confident about yourself and how you look every day.
Instead of thinking “oh god what am I going to wear today?”
You can just grab something from your closet, put it on, and be confident that it’ll look good—
Because if you don’t like it now then chances are you never will!
And if that happens?
Well then just donate it!
It’s not worth holding onto if it doesn’t make you feel great when you wear it!
What Makes A Winter Capsule Wardrobe Different
A winter capsule wardrobe is a seasonal collection of clothing that you use for the colder months.
Winter is here and you might be wondering what makes a winter capsule wardrobe different from your fall capsule wardrobe.
Well, it’s simple:
Less is more!
A winter capsule wardrobe is a great way to stay warm, cozy, and fashionable all winter long.
In fact, I’m going to let you in on a little secret:
By making sure you only have the essentials in your closet, you’ll be able to pull together outfits that look like they came straight out of a magazine every single day.
A winter capsule wardrobe is all about focusing on the essentials, so you don’t have to worry about what to wear when you’re rushing out the door.
You should also be prepared to wear your clothes in a lot of different ways.
You should not only know the essentials but you should also know the things to avoid.
What are the things you should avoid in your extraordinary winter capsule wardrobe?
Well, I’m here to tell you!
I’ve put together this handy guide full of tips and tricks to help you build an amazing winter capsule wardrobe that will make everyone jealous.
Are you ready?
Let’s get started!
5 Things You Should Avoid In Your Extraordinary Winter Capsule Wardrobe
Heavy Fabrics
Heavy fabrics are not your friend in winter.
They’re just not.
Winter is a time to hibernate and stay warm, which means that you might be tempted to reach for heavy fabrics like wool and cashmere.
But if you’re trying to make a capsule wardrobe, you should avoid heavy fabrics.
It is because if you wear them all the time, you’ll get tired of them and then never wear them again.
Wool is also very expensive and hard to wash, so unless you want to spend money on dry-cleaning or washing your clothes yourself, it’s not really worth it.
Too Much Black
Black is a powerful color among all the color palettes, and it’s also versatile.
There’s nothing wrong with black—it’s an easy color to work with and it goes with almost everything else in your closet.
But if you’re trying to create an extraordinary winter capsule wardrobe, you’re going to want to avoid wearing black all the time.
The reason for this is that black can make you feel like a superhero, especially when you’re wearing it with other dark colors like navy or burgundy.
(Check out our article talking about building a navy capsule wardrobe.)
But you don’t want your wardrobe to make you feel like a superhero—you want it to make you feel like YOU!
Here are some ways you can avoid overdoing it on the black:
1. Don’t wear all black at once unless you’re attending a funeral.
2. If you do choose to wear all black, try mixing it up with lots of textures like faux fur or suede boots.
3. If you’re wearing a solid black outfit, break up the monotony by adding in a small pop of color or texture with shoes, jewelry, or an accessory.
4. Don’t wear only black pants with a solid black top. This can make you look frumpy and unkempt!
Try pairing black pants with a patterned top instead—it’s easier to pull off and much more stylish than wearing all black from head to toe.
5. Don’t wear all black everything every day!
Even if you love monochromatic looks, try incorporating different shades into your wardrobe.
So that your outfits don’t become boring after several wears in a row—you’ll want to feel inspired every time you put on one of these items!
Long Coats
Long coats are great in theory.
They can keep you warm, they’re pretty, and they give you an extra layer of protection from the elements.
Furthermore, long coats might be the most stylish way to keep warm this winter, but they’re also one of the most impractical.
Unless you’re planning on wearing them as part of a coordinating outfit (which is fine), long coats can make you look like you’re wearing a blanket.
If you do decide to get one, make sure it’s not too big or bulky so that it doesn’t take up too much room in your capsule wardrobe.
Also, long coats also make you look like a giant marshmallow!
Moreover, if you wear a long coat, it will cover up all your other outfits—which is why I recommend you avoid them at all costs!
They’re also hard to move around in.
This is why most people who wear them end up just throwing them on top of whatever else they’re wearing or holding them under an arm while they walk around town.
The best way to get around this is by investing in a shorter coat that fits well with your existing wardrobe and will help keep you warm without getting in the way.
Thick Knitwear
Do you know what’s not a good idea?
Wearing thick knitwear in the winter.
Why?
Because it’ll make you feel like a human hot water bottle and potentially give you hypothermia.
Think about it:
Thick sweaters are made of wool or acrylic, both of which are insulators, meaning they trap heat in your body.
This is great if you’re walking around in 100°F weather and want to keep warm.
But not so great when you’re trying to stay warm in temperatures that hover around freezing.
If you live somewhere cold, this is definitely something to avoid in your extraordinary winter capsule wardrobe.
Knits are a winter wardrobe staple, but they can be tricky to wear.
Avoid the oversized look by pairing your knitwear with a fitted top or dress, and keep your jewelry simple.
You don’t want to draw attention away from your knitwear.
If you’re going to go for thick knitwear this season, make sure it’s not too thick.
A thick cardigan or a thick scarf will only make you feel like a walking marshmallow.
There are plenty of other options that will keep you just as warm but won’t make you feel like a marshmallow.
- A Silk Scarf
- Cashmere
- Blankets
Oversized Sweaters
Oversized sweaters are a winter wardrobe staple, but they can get a little out of hand.
It’s tempting to buy an oversized sweater because it seems like the perfect way to add warmth and comfort to your wardrobe.
But it can be a dangerous move.
If you’re buying a sweater that’s too big, it will look sloppy and might even make you look like you’re wearing your boyfriend’s sweater.
It’s okay to have a few oversized sweaters in your closet, but if you have more than three or four, it’s time to get rid of one or two.
Oversized sweaters are great because they hide your tummy when worn with leggings or jeans.
So try to keep them on the smaller side and only buy ones that fit well over your body type.
If you want to go for the oversized look anyway, try pairing your oversized sweater with high-waisted jeans or a skirt instead of leggings (or maybe both!).
This will give you extra coverage around the waistline while still keeping the oversized vibe going strong!
A Free Guide To Help You Make Your Capsule Wardrobe
You know you want to start your capsule wardrobe, but where to start?
Winter is a tough time for fashion.
It’s cold, it’s dark, and you don’t want to spend a lot of time thinking about how you’re going to look good in your clothes when you’re stuck indoors for most of the day.
Before you get started, keep in mind that your capsule wardrobe is going to be unique to you.
It’s not a one-size-fits-all solution.
I’m here to help!
I’ve created a free guide to help you build a capsule wardrobe that works for you.
My guide walks you through the process of choosing pieces that work together, and I’ll even let you know what to do with all those clothes in your closet that don’t make the cut.
This free guide will help you take control of your closet so you can finally stop wasting time trying to put together outfits from scratch every morning!