2018-2019 Winter Must Haves

Considering the fact that I am Wisconsin born and raised, I have a good idea of how to withstand the cold weather with out sacrificing style. Sometimes it is easier said than done. Winter clothes are heavy and the extra layers required push the pocket books a little more than warmer weather wardrobes. But it is possible to dress in style without breaking the bank! Here are my recommendations to get the most bang for your buck for the 2018-2019 winter season!

1. Puffer Vest

I figured that I would start here because I have talked before about how much I love puffer vests.  They are so versatile – you can easily carry them from fall all the way to into spring. In the winter months they are great to wear over a sweater or under a coat for extra warmth.  My favorite place to buy puffer vests is from Old Navy. I have never paid more than $20 for a puffer vest from Old Navy. Usually, in the beginning of fall, I watch for them to go on sale (which they do frequently) and snag them when they are priced at $15 or less.  Old Navy has really found a way to make a quality product at a great price with their vests. I try to limit myself to buying one new Old Navy vest per year, as I know that they will last me for years to come. Although I really like Old Navy’s vests, you can pretty much find a decent vest at just about any retailer these days.

2. Boots with the fur

Furry boots are nothing new, but what I’m loving this year are the lace up boots with fur tongues and ankles. This is definitely a trend piece that is really exploding this year but will likely carry into next year as well.  Now is the time to invest in these bad boys so that you can get the most bang for your buck. Trend pieces come and go and in a few years this exact look could be obsolete, so get them now in order to avoid buyer’s remorse when you buy them on clearance two years from now and only get a few wears out of them.

3. But also, boots WITHOUT the fur

If you live in a cold climate like I do or if you plan to travel to a winter wonderland, mid-calf boots are a MUST.  I love me a good duck boot, but around here those do not hold up in the snow. I find that boots that only come up to your ankle allow snow to come in through the top when you are dealing with accumulations of more than a couple of inches.  Sorrel boots with the fur at the top are still all the rage (thanks in part to a great marketing effort on their behalf), but I am all about mid-calf winter boots without the fur. I personally think that they are more flattering for the everyday silhouette (aka those of us who wear larger than a size 2). I also think they are a little more timeless than their fur-trimmed counter parts, which is important to me because a good winter boot is not the type of item to cheap out on. In this case, I would rather invest in a quality item that I know will last me.

4. Fleece lined mittens

I might be going out on a limb here, but I feel like there are two types of people in the world – mitten people and glove people.  I am and probably always will be a mitten person. My fingers stay way warmer for longer in mittens than they do gloves, so for that reason I am including mittens on this list and not gloves.  Depending on what you are doing, gloves might be the way to go, but either way, if you are going to be in cold weather, make sure you have a well-crafted pair. For day to day wear, I like fleece lined knit mittens. These are not what I would wear to go skiing or snowmobiling, but when I’m heading out into -10-degree weather, fleece lined knit mittens are what I prefer. They are functional, yet still cute and always cozy!

5. Oversized boucle fringe blanket scarf

These have been around for a little while now, but they are still very relevant this year.  Being from Wisconsin, I have a TON of scarves, but my oversized boucle scarf is by and large my favorite right now.  It keeps me extremely warm and cozy even in the coldest of temps. I currently only have one, but I will likely buy at least one or two more before the season is over!

6. Teddy Coats

I think teddy coats are darling! Now, I will be the first to admit that this is not the type of coat that I would wear out in subzero temperatures. However, with global warming, our winters have been much milder in recent years and this is the perfect type of jacket to wear on those in-between days.  You know what I’m talking about – the upper 30 to lower 50-degree days that don’t feel like winter, but don’t quite feel like spring either. I think that all cuts and colors of teddy jackets are cute, but I especially love the oversized ones.  As much as I am in love with them right now, I know that these are a total trend piece and a few years from now they will probably lose their luster for me. Unless I find a killer deal on them sometime, I will likely only buy one to last me the next few years.

7. Sherpa, Sherpa, Sherpa!

Ok, if you haven’t gotten a sherpa pullover yet, I’m sorry to inform you that you are behind the game.  These started taking off a few years ago, but this year they have EXPLODED! Everywhere I turn I see a sherpa pullover.  All the retailers are carrying them, and everybody is wearing them. And for good reason. They are so comfy and cozy while also adorable! What is great about them is that you really can wear them all year long.  From fall bonfires, to winter hygge-ing, to springtime gardening. They would even be perfect for those cooler summer nights if you are in a climate like mine. What also makes them great is that they are the perfect thing for busy days spent running errands when you want to look pulled together, but you don’t have time to get fully dolled up.

8. Pom Beanie

Ok, full disclosure here: I am not much of a hat person.  I usually don’t wear hats or headbands in the winter because they mess up my hair.  Being that I grew up in Wisconsin, the cold doesn’t bother me as much as it probably should. I’ve just grown accustomed to it. I buy winter hats and headbands occasionally and they wind up just sitting in my closet. With all that said, there’s no way I can possibly create a winter must have list and not include headwear of some type.  This year pom beanies continue to be all the rage and if I were to buy a winter hat this year, it would be a pom beanie.

9. Blush Pink Winter Coats

Obviously, a good winter coat is a must have for cooler temps.  Being that I get so much use out of my winter coats, I try to buy one new one every year.  I change up the styles and colors from year to year. By doing that, over the years I have accumulated an inventory of different styles and colors so that I have a coat for almost any occasion. This year I am all about blush pink.  I can’t get enough of the color. I’m loving the color so much that this year’s winter coat will be blush pink. The color is perfect for a winter coat because it is different enough that I don’t see too many other people wearing it as outerwear, but it’s not so loud that I will stand out like a sore thumb anywhere I go.

10. A Good pair of warm socks

Last, but certainly not least on my list of winter must haves is a good pair of warm socks.  Socks are probably the most underrated clothing garment, but SO crucial when you’re dressing for frigid temps.  When your feet are warm, the rest of you is warm. There is nothing worse than having cold feet all day because you had to spend 5 minutes outside brushing off your car.  I look for fleece lined or merino wool for their thermal qualities.

There you have it! My 2018-2019 Winter must haves . I hope this helps if you are from a warmer climate and looking to visit a cooler area this winter. I hope this inspires if you are used to dressing for cold weather and just need a few ideas to keep your winter wardrobe from getting stale. ♥