The Life She Wanders

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Cold Weather & Winter Essentials

Walking in a winter wonderland! Now that the snow and cold weather is here to stay for a bit, I thought it was perfect timing to share some of my cold weather essentials. From jackets and beanies, to scarves and more, there’s a little something for everyone included.

Growing up in Upstate NY, I am no stranger to the cold and LOTS of snow! It was not out of the ordinary to have to stand out in negative temperatures at the bus stop, and we typically only had 3 snow days a year. Driving in snow became second nature though I’m still super cautious!

Sometimes bundling up for the cold means layers upon layers and feeling like the most unfashionable blob there ever was. Thankfully I have found some cold weather essentials that not only look good, but keep you warm! Keep scrolling to see my cold weather must-haves!

JACKETS + COATS

Probably the most important cold weather item to have in the winter is a great jacket and/or coat. It can certainly be overwhelming with so many different styles and types out there! This winter I upgraded my jacket and coat collection and have found I gravitate towards 6 basic must-haves…

1 & 2: Black Dress Coat | Camel Dress Coat - Whether you work in a corporate office, work from home or are a stay-at-home mom, I think having a classic black and/or camel coat in your wardrobe is key. They are so versatile and something that will last you for years. Whether you are heading to a meeting, the grocery store, date night, dropping the kids off at school, or anything in between, they are a classic style that can be dressed up or comfy and casual. I wear both of mine ALLLLL the time! They are great quality for the price and run TTS; I wear an XS and still have room for chunky sweaters.

3: Black Puffer Coat [can’t find exact online but similar here, here, here and here] - this year I finally invested in a puffer coat and y’all, my life is forever changed…it is SO WARM!!! I found this Michael Kors puffer jacket at a ridiculously discounted price at TJ Maxx and couldn’t pass it up. I linked some super similar ones above to this style. I love the coordinating black fur and hood, and the belt adds some shape to an otherwise unstructured piece. It’s a classic style yet trendy and something I know I will get TONS of use out of!!

4: Sherpa Jacket [old but similar here, here and here] - give a girl a sherpa jacket and she can conquer the world! Seriously, if you don’t own a sherpa jacket you are truly missing out! They are super cozy and feel like you’re wearing a blanket or being hugged by a teddy bear. They are easy to dress up or dress down, which as you know having a versatile wardrobe is key for me! I scored this sherpa jacket at Target last year but linked a few very similar ones.

5: Jewel-Toned or Patterned Jacket [old but options here, here, here and here] - with the winter months being dark and gloomy and so many coats being black, having a pop of color like this jewel-toned burgundy jacket or a pop of animal print can help make things feel a lot less blah. It’s a fun change-up too from the traditional and it’s a great way to add some spice into your wardrobe. I love jewel tones this time of year! Though something like a leopard print jacket is a very trendy piece, it’s something that will still last you in years to come!

6: Faux Leather Moto Jacket - A leather jacket might not be on your list for the winter months but I love it as an option for nights out in the city. This leather jacket is super affordable at just $35! I wear an XS and still have room for sweaters underneath which is why it works for me in the winter. Plus, it’s just a great wardrobe staple in general to have!


BOOTS

My all-time, must-have, go-to boots during winter at the L.L. Bean Duck Boots. They are amazing!! I have the 8” Gore-Tex/Thinsulate version and they are the epitome of cozy…and comfortable! I’ve worn these nearly all day long on multiple occasions and they do not hurt my feet or make them sweaty or swollen, while still keeping them warm and shielded from the cold. A win-win in my book!


HATS & SCARVES

I don’t know about you, but having cold weather accessories like hats and scarves is a must in my book! Thankfully nowadays there are so many options that are both functional and fashion-forward. I got this super cozy fleece lined cuffed knit pom pom beanie this year and y’all, it is absolutely amazing!! It’s available in black and cream so it goes with basically everything, and the best part is that it’s only $15!

Shop Hats: Fleece Lined Cuffed Knit Pom Pom // Chunky Knit Wool Blend // Chunky Knit // Knit Wool-Blend // Oversized Cunky Knit // Cashmere // Knit Hat with Pom Poms // Stitch Mix

Scarves are something I can’t get enough of! Besides being a great outdoor accessory to keep you warm, I love them as an accessory to an outfit in the colder months. If you work in a traditional office environment they are a great way to have an extra layer to stay warm…because we all know offices are freezing for some reason! I like having super soft scarves that are a bit thicker/chunkier to keep my extra warm. The patterns and colors are endless in scarves these days so there’s a little something for everyone!

Shop Scarves: Red & White Plaid Blanket Scarf // Plaid Boucle Blanket Scarf // Leopard Print Brushed Blanket Scarf // Black & White Check Blanket Scarf // Brown Plaid Blanket Scarf // Plaid Blanket Scarf // Grey Plaid Blanket Scarf // Brushed Blanket Scarf


There you have it, a round-up of all the cold weather & winter essentials you need! What are your winter must-haves? Share below in the comments!