5 Key Pieces I'm Shopping to Build My Winter Capsule Wardrobe

In an effort to be more mindful when it comes to my consumption habits, I've decided to add only a few key pieces to my closet each season. Instead of jumping on every trend that piques my interest, I now add only items that both speak to my personal style and complement my existing wardrobe. I've done this the past few seasons, and it actually pushed me to be more thoughtful about what I'm buying, which in turn led me to choose pieces I feel have longevity.

Since winter is fast approaching, I've already taken inventory of my closet and zeroed in on which trends I plan to participate in. Now let me preface this by saying that I live in Los Angeles, so my winters are mild compared to other parts of the country, and it affords me the luxury of flexibility in my winter wardrobe. I narrowed it down to five items that are currently trending but also have an air of timelessness, from unique outerwear to the color trend of the season. Below I'm highlighting the five pieces that I'm shopping to build my winter capsule wardrobe.

1. ESPRESSO BROWN

As I'm sure you've noticed, shades of espresso brown have already dominated fall 2024. The rich hue shows no signs of slowing down for winter, and I'm fully on board, as I see it as less of a trend and more of a closet staple. I know I'll want to return to shades of brown year after year, so I plan on adding another piece or two to my winter wardrobe—in both the clothing and accessory categories.

2. LEATHER TRENCH

Like I mentioned before, I live in L.A., so I don't need to go full down coat to survive the winter. Since I have more flexibility in outerwear choices, a chic leather trench is at the top of my list. Leather outerwear of all varieties has been trending for a few seasons now, but I think a trench is the most elevated silhouette. Plus it has longevity, so it feels like a wise investment.

3. CARDIGAN

Cardigans are by no means a new trend, but they've been having a bit of a renaissance lately. Designers have introduced fresh hourglass silhouettes while the fashion crowd has offered some compelling new styling ideas that make the classic piece feel fresh. I plan to add one or two to my winter wardrobe as a key layering item.

4. DARK-WASH, STRAIGHT-LEG JEANS

There's been a lot of chatter about denim silhouettes the past few seasons, and although I still love a looser style for certain outfits, the fashion world seems to be returning to more tailored styles. This season, I'm opting specifically for dark-wash, straight-leg denim, as I feel it's the most elevated (and flattering). I plan to pair these with boots of all shapes this winter.

5. FUNNEL-NECK OUTERWEAR

We can credit Phoebe Philo for this one after she launched her eponymous label featuring a funnel-neck leather jacket that made the fashion world collectively gasp. Since then, we've seen iterations of funnel-neck outerwear trickle down from the runways into all of our favorite high-street brands, and I can't wait to add one to my winter wardrobe. The chic funnel-neck detail marries design and function, protecting you from the elements all season.