with the arrival of old man winter, it’s time to stay warm and stylish, which can be a hard prospect if the north winds are blowing and the streets are lined with slush. january and february are the coldest and harshest months if you live in the midwest, upper midwest, and northeast. but even the coldest day can be conquered if you have the right gear. so i’ve rounded up five winter essentials to help guide you through the darkest winter day.
a stylish puffer or parka coat is a must to stay warm. i love the option of a detachable hood. when the temps heat up, you might be able to get away with wearing a wool coat. that’s what you will find me sporting on any given day in Georgia (unless it’s a raincoat). this Daphne topcoat from J.Crew is made from Italian boiled wool that’s tightly woven for less bulk and warmth. it has a bit of stretch, which lends itself to layering over sweaters or blazers.
but let me assure you, even if you live below the mason-dixon line, the weather can turn cold on any given day. all last week temps hit the freezing mark. brrr! that’s when i reach for a down-filled jacket. these days puffer jackets come in various styles, shapes, and lengths and can even be packed in a suitcase with ease.
sweaters are hands down, one of my favorite items to wear. even during the dog days of summer, i’ll slip into a sleeveless cotton turtleneck on any given day. but come winter, sweaters are a no-brainer for their warmth. cable knit sweaters or v-neck in a bright color will keep you warm and cozy all winter long. but my love for cashmere runs deep. this time of year, i love to stock up on crewnecks, turtlenecks, and the occasional v-neck.
winter scarves help keep the chill at bay and really add pizazz and personality to your outfit. if the weather is mild, i typically drape a scarf over my jacket. when the wind is blowing, i’ll wrap it around my neck and tuck it inside my coat. cashmere scarves are my favorites. but a chunky knit scarf or a traditional wool scarf is also stylish and warm.
last but not least is gloves. better yet, touchscreen gloves that allow you to answer your phone without yanking the entire glove off, exposing your hands to the cold. but any old glove will do and is a necessity all winter long. gloves are a favorite accessory of mine, and you’ll always find me perusing the glove section of any store. but i couldn’t resist these navy glittens (gloves and mittens) embroidered with ‘hold me’! they are so dang cute.
boots are a must-have item to traipse through the snow and slush with ease. when i lived in Minnesota, my favorite brand of boots was Sorel or Sperry. these days i don’t have to worry about snow, but a pair of boots like these Chelsea boots are practically indestructible and have a modern edge perfect for inclement weather. this year i noticed hiking boots lined with shearling have soared in popularity. it’s a throwback to the seventies and my teenage years.
is the Founder and CEO of Style at a Certain Age. She writes Sundays-Fridays on all topics ranging from fashion, health, wellness, home design and more.
She’s 65, 5’8, and size 8.
Oh my gosh, girl – stunning. That scarf and coat over a black background is beyond chic. I think it would look good even over a dark navy, too. I’m in love with that scarf, it’s a perfect match to your coat. 🥂
I knew I forgot something. Kay has a video up about this same coat and I meant to go watch it. I’ll catch both while I’m there. It is a beautiful color. I live on the Coast so I couldn’t justify buying another coat but I do love the way you styled this. A scarf can really bring it all together in such a nice way.
Thanks for showing the beautiful coat. I am always looking for warm clothing because I tend to run very cold and I live up here in NE Ohio and 2 weeks ago we had 18 in of snow!
You look great in the bright pink and black. I now feel more comfortable with wearing my fuchsia raincoat.
Love the new hairstyle. Also, the coat and color are good for you. Cant really need a coat like this in FL, but doesn’t hurt to look and wish, lol Stay Safe