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, oversized sweaters comprise approximately 50% of my winter wardrobe.
This beautiful sweater is made with RWS wool and organic cotton.
When shopping for a classic cable-knit, size up so you can layer as needed.
This cable-knit gets bonus points for blouson-inspired sleeves and a zip thrpugh collar.
I'm obsessed with the eye-catching button details.
2. Camel Wool Coat
You don't have to spend a ton of money to get a great-looking camel coat.
But you totally can if you want to…
Ralph Lauren's top coats are a classic winter staple.
Mango makes excellent coats; we love the shoulder pads in this one.
3. Black Blazer
Find a relaxed blazer in a fabric that can be worn year-round.
Boxy blazers are ideal for wearing over thicker sweaters.
A great leather blazer counts too.
Think a blazer feels too corporate? Make this feel more casual by rolling up the sleeves.
4. Straight-Leg Jeans
You truly cannot go wrong with an excellent pair of jeans from House of Dagmar. We are especially fond of the straight leg in this true blue wash.
These come in six different colours.
Try tucking thinner sweaters into the front of high-waist jeans for a simple styling trick.
Mother denim is well worth the investment.
5. Chelsea Boots
A cult classic.
You can't argue with this price.
That's a seriously chunky tread.
The suede feels extra luxe.
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