5 Winter Basics to Own If You Refuse to Follow Trends
If, like me, you've been reading Who What Wear religiously for the past decade, then you know that nothing is boring about great basics. Just a bit shy of "uniform dressing," without committing completely to a capsule wardrobe, a closet full of just a few winter basics is all that's needed to get through the season in style.
That's not to say you need to wear them all at once—in fact, we suggest mixing at matching these key winter basics with whatever you already have on hand. That's the point, right? Great basics go with everything and can be worn regularly without compromising your personal style.
This season, we recommend shopping for (and perhaps investing in) these five simple wardrobe staples: a camel-colored coat, a classic black blazer, a chunky white knit sweater, straight-leg jeans, and Chelsea boots. That's it! And if you already have a few of these items at your disposal, great—do some quick "girl math" and use that savings to invest in a top-quality piece that you'll be happy about wearing for years to come. Ready? Let's shop.
1. White Chunky Cable-Knit Sweater
Cozy turtleneck sweaters comprise approximately 50% of my winter wardrobe.
When shopping for a classic cable-knit, choose a slightly more oversize fit so you can layer as needed.
This classic cable-knit gets bonus points for blouson-inspired sleeves.
I'm obsessed with this eye-catching sweater from the recently launched Anna October x J.Crew collab.
Hurry: This sweater from Marshalls won't be on sale forever.
2. Camel Wool Coat
You don't have to spend a ton of money to get a great-looking camel coat.
Ralph Lauren's top coats are a classic winter staple in the Northeast.
3. Black Blazer
Think a blazer feels too corporate? We love this more casual design styled with rolled-up sleeves.
4. Straight-Leg Jeans
You truly cannot go wrong with an excellent pair of jeans from the Gap. We are especially fond of the '90s style in a dark wash.
There are so many different sizes and shapes of Madewell jeans that you're sure to find the perfect fit in any category.
Try tucking thinner sweaters into the front of high-waist jeans for a simple styling trick.
5. Chelsea Boots
Drew Elovitz is originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, but has spent the last decade living and working in New York City. She earned a master's degree in media and popular culture from New York University, then began her career on the internet as the Twitter voice of Barbie. She worked previously at Who What Wear as the director of content strategy and also spent several years leading the social media teams at Teen Vogue and Entertainment Weekly. You'll find her byline on the site around topics such as celebrity fashion, must-have basics, beauty favorites (particularly nail polish), and wellness tips and tricks. Her personal style tends to favor the classics: She loves crisp white button-downs, sneakers, and skinny jeans—and no look is complete without a great pair of oversize sunglasses and a trusty leather jacket. After she finishes reading the entire internet every day, she can be found dining out at her favorite restaurants, trying new beauty treatments, or indulging her historical-fiction habit.
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