Winter Closet Staples

Shopping can be fun, but adding new items to my wardrobe is something I am far more discerning about these days, and I'll often wait for an item that I am interested in to go on sale before purchasing. I do not mind following trends, such as switching from skinny jeans to ones with a wider leg, as long as I can keep a classic feel. I have enough "what was I thinking" moments in my fashion history and do not want to add any more if I can help it! Here are a few items I currently have in my closet and have had for years, along with some newer items that I contemplated before purchasing and have been wearing regularly since. Just click on a photo to shop!

I bought this raincoat in 2019 during a sudden downpour while my husband and I were visiting Epcot in Disney World. We can always count on the Norway pavilion in the World Showcase for a quality, non Disney-themed sweater, jacket, or backpack if the weather takes a turn. I love this coat in white but it comes in a couple other colors online. Be sure to enter promo code Gretchen DiNardo for a 10% discount on your first purchase. ​I am wearing a size small.

This is the warmest coat I have ever owned. Living in an area where temperatures can hover around zero degrees in the winter, I would say this coat is a must if it is within your budget. I originally bought mine in 2015 before a February trip to Montreal, and it was about half the cost it sells for now in 2022. Even though mine is seven years old, it still looks brand new, and I think it was worth every penny! My coat is size extra small, but I could probably wear a small just as well.

Hands down the best faux leather leggings ever. I wear these at least once a week throughout winter. I find them to be warm, flattering, and perfect under a pair of over-the-knee boots. Even though they are tight, they are comfortable while contouring the body. In this picture taken in 2020, I am wearing a size small, but I recently bought a new pair in extra small - thanks to my Peloton addiction. The hem is raw so shortening them simply requires a sharp pair of scissors!

Years ago, I bought a teddy coat, but it was so heavy that I hated wearing it. By chance, I found this one while browsing stores in Disney Springs. It was so soft, warm, and lightweight that I fell in love immediately. I probably could have bought a small, but they only had a medium in stock, and I did not mind it being a little oversized. It has now become one of my favorite coats! I have never shopped at this store before so I am not sure if this is a standard item they carry every season, but the sale price is too good to pass up. Do not sleep on this one!

This turtleneck is so soft, comfortable, and usually can be purchased on sale for under $50. I am very particular about turtlenecks because I dislike the feeling of things on the front of my neck, but this one does not bother me. It washes well and is just as pitch black as when I bought it. I wear this turtleneck when playing paddle, for a night out, or I pair it with jeans for an easy daytime outfit. It is a classic forever piece. For reference, I wear a size small.

Along with the faux leather leggings I mentioned above, I wear these over-the-knee boots all winter, and typically I wear them together as styled in the pictures above. The double-layer that these boots provide on my legs helps keep me warm on frigid days. I love to wear heels and find these to be quite comfortable. I have walked all over Paris and New York City in them without any issue! I also have these in dark grey. 

These winter boots are great for trudging through the snow since they are insulated and waterproof. They also have a good tread on the bottom to prevent slipping on ice. My feet stay nice and warm in them even without socks because of the shearling interior. I love that they can be styled both laced up tall or flipped down short to show the shearing!