Winter essentials: Wardrobe must-haves

Hari Sreeramagiri and Helena Zhou

In 2019, we raved about biker shorts, bucket hats and animal prints. Now, with winter festivities and holiday spirit bringing 2020 to a close, it’s time to reflect on this year’s fashion trends reviving vintage statement pieces and prompting entirely novel styles. In the spirit of winter fashion, here are some wardrobe must-haves for the coming months.

Sweater Vests

Patterned sweater vests may have seemed outdated last year, but they’re now starring in Instagram and Pinterest posts, with Harry Styles making them look effortlessly stylish. Sweater vests can be worn in a variety of ways: over untucked white dress shirts, oversized sweaters or short-sleeved shirts. They’re versatile in matching with nearly any bottoms, as they can be tucked into straight jeans or worn untucked with pleated skirts.

Oversized Sweaters

Baggy clothes are making a comeback, and they’re an excellent approach to staying cozy and warm during winter. Whether it’s color block or a graphic of Dragon Ball Z, don’t be afraid to choose sweaters with your favorite designs or interests. Currently, outfits layering oversized sweaters with collared shirts have been everywhere and will likely remain timeless, making them great staples for your closet.

Turtlenecks

Turtlenecks look chic with a multitude of other clothing pieces, including blazers, overcoats, leather jackets and sweaters. Some general rules for wearing turtlenecks: layer a piece over them and tuck them into your pants. If that’s not enough of a reason to incorporate turtlenecks in your outfits, turtlenecks have historically been part of some of the most iconic outfits of all time, such as Dwayne Johnson’s ‘90s black turtleneck, chain and fanny pack combination as well as Steve Jobs’s refined black mock turtleneck and jeans look.

Boots

This fashion trend is the perfect compliment for chilly weather, but that’s not what we love most about it. Whether it be a pair of Dr. Martens for a night out with friends or over-the-knee boots for a Beyonce-esque look, you can always rely on boots to make any outfit look runway-ready and add a sprinkle of drama to your life. After all, boots are popular for making their wearer feel confident and invincible. How can they not when they’re Wonder Woman’s signature style?

Scarves

Scarves are absolute winter essentials to help keep your neck warm during the freezing mornings and nights. They evoke a down-to-earth feel and can be dressed up or down in countless ways. However, make sure to choose monochromatic or reasonably patterned scarves or else you might look like a personified version of Tumblr in 2014.

Puffer Jackets

Puffer jackets are perfect for creating a top-focused silhouette. They create a beautiful balance between warmth and lightness that leather and wool jackets cannot compete with. Some other puffer jacket options include those of sherpa or corduroy material. For a bolder statement, try pop colors or vintage patterns; otherwise, go for black or muted color jacket. Either way, they work with any outfit.

Beanies

This fluffy, soft companion will take your fashion game to the next level, adding the perfect amount of cuteness to your look. There are many ways to wear a beanie, featuring countless variations of hairstyles including a side braid with a slouchy beanie or hair down with your beanie pulled back for an effortlessly cool look. But no matter the shape or size, one thing is for sure: a beanie will never let you down.