My Cold Weather Capsule Wardrobe

*Pictured above- J.Crew Ella Open Front Long Sweater. Photo by Gorsky Freres @adisregardedboy

Now that the holidays are over we have a couple of months of winter weather to look forward to without the festive cheer. But there is some upside- we still have cozy sweaters, warm lattes, and some snow days ahead. Plus Valentine’s (or Galentines) day is right around the corner. I’m staying bundled up and trying to look chic until spring. My three back to back pregnancies left me in a bit of a clothing rut, so I made it my mission to start investing in myself last fall by building a casual, cold-weather capsule. My capsule is mainly casual because I’m a stay at home mom, but a casual capsule is an asset to any woman who wants to look chic without having to put too much effort in while “off duty”. The key to building a capsule is investing in pieces that can be mixed and matched, but investing doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag. Choose the highest quality pieces that fit your budget, whatever it is, to get the most wear out of your items. 

My cold weather capsule is actually full of pieces from Abercrombie & Fitch. Yes, you read that right. Hear me out. If you haven’t seen what they’ve been up to lately you should take a look. The once infamous mall store from my middle and high school years has gone through an impressive rebrand, particularly online. They’re now known for classic yet on-trend pieces and much more inclusive sizing and advertising. I’m a huge fan of their denim- the curve love jeans are perfect for curvy women like myself, and they carry a wide variety of styles and washes. I’m also a big fan of their Soft AF line. Their super soft tops are perfect for lounging at home but far from frumpy; they work for everything from running errands to date night.  And their statement outerwear covers all the bases, you’re certain to find a style that you like. 

Now that I’m done talking you through my favorite casual brand, I’ll walk you through the key pieces in my capsule:

Leggings- These are pretty much a must for moms, but many women who work out or are constantly on the go love them too. I like the Zella high waist leggings from Nordstrom because they suck everything in. They also make a maternity version. 

Drapey T-shirts- When I am wearing leggings, I pair them with these long-sleeve drapey t-shirts from Abercrombie. They’re soft, flattering, and most importantly- come down long enough to cover my derriere. 

 

High waist denim- I love high waist denim because I’m petite and it makes my legs look longer and also hugs my waist perfectly. I really like these skinny jeans from Abercrombie and these Mom Jeans and straight leg ankle jeans that look amazing with ankle boots.

Cropped sweaters- I was never a huge fan of knitwear until recently, because I always thought the bulk from thick fabric was unflattering on my frame. This all changed when I learned to pair high waist denim with cropped sweaters. I actually wrote a separate guest blog post on this topic on The Real Chic Life. This combo highlights my waist and makes my frame look leaner and longer even while wearing cozy thick fabric. Here are a few cropped sweaters that I love from Abercrombie. 

Bodysuits- Bodysuits also look amazing with high waist denim, especially thicker vintage style denim. This wrap front bodysuit is soft and flattering. 

 

Teddy coat- I love teddy coats because they’re so on trend but also look pretty luxe. I have a cropped teddy coat from Urban Outfitters that I love, but I’m also a fan of longer teddy coats like these styles from Abercrombie and Nasty Gal. 

Coatigan- This coat/sweater/blazer hybrid from J Crew is one of my favorite pieces in my fall/winter wardrobe. It’s casual but also a bit polished. I can throw it on over leggings or jeans. 

Military parka- I love that this coat from Abercrombie is warm but not bulky. It has a slim, figure hugging shape.

 

Those are the key items in my cold weather capsule. In a separate post I may cover shoes and accessories. What are your favorite cold-weather items and brands? 

Xo,

Courtney