2021 Winter Must-Haves

Hey y’all!

Well, we’re in winter (is it just me, or is this last quarter of the year just zooming by?), and with the colder months, many of us adjust our wardrobes accordingly, layering our favourite pieces and bringing out the coats, leather, and sweaters. In this post, I’m sharing some of the must-have items for winter 2021, which you can incorporate and highlight in your outfits during this cold season.

A Sweater Dress

I haven’t owned a sweater dress since the mid 2010’s. The last sweater dress/tunic thing I owned was so itchy, that even with a shirt layered underneath, my arms would itch. However, this fall, I decided to venture back into sweater dress territory after seeing such lovely dresses emerging in the late summer months in gorgeous shades of brown and camel. A sweater dress, I think, is the top fall/winter must-have piece. It offers comfort and warmth, while making you look effortlessly chic. I’m all about the “I look like I tried more than I actually did” type of look, and a sweater dress offers just that. To dress it up, you can easily pair a sweater dress with heels or a chic pair of heeled boots, or wear it more casually with sneakers, oxfords, or some on-trend chunky, lug-sole boots. Cut-outs and asymmetrical necklines also offer an updated, unique twist on a traditional silhouette. So, if I could recommend one piece, the sweater dress is it.

Leather Pieces

Leather pieces are a fall/winter fashion staple, with leather pants and trench coats offering cool and modern alternatives to a classic leather jacket. What I like about leather pants is that they can keep you warm, and also easily add texture to an outfit. I’m all for a chic and stylish fall or winter outfit, but it also needs to be warm, which is what I like about leather pants - they are often lined with a warm material and are pretty much wind and water-resistant. Leather leggings, like the ones I have styled below, were how I dipped my toe into the leather pants trend to see if I actually liked it. Now I look forward to getting some leather trousers. So, whether you choose to rock leather leggings or trousers, or a shacket, be sure to get some leather into your outfit rotation.

Something Colourful!

Get some colour in your outfits! Whether it’s a coat, a shirt, a purse, or some accessory, try adding some fun pops of colour in your outfits this season! You can go all out with a colour-blocking outfits, or you can opt for a statement piece. The goal is to move away from the box of neutrals we often see dominate in the colder months, and have some fun with our outfits. This season, shades of pink and green (especially kelly green, aka: that Botegga Veneta green) are trending colours, offering spring-like brightness in these cold days.

Now if you’re like me and you wear mainly neutrals, you can try out adding more colour through an accessory, like a purse or hat. The colours I’ve been especially loving this season are green, pink, and lilac purple, and I find these colours work really well with the neutral items I already own. So when it comes to working with colour and you don’t know where to start, I recommend starting with colours that coordinate well with the colours and tones that are within your wardrobe already.

A Coat…

…that looks AMAZING on you!

Seriously, I can not over-emphasize the power of a great coat. I used to hear other fashion influencers and stylists say that a great coat is a fall/winter staple, and I used to just say “mmm, okay…”. However, once I got a coat that looked great and made me feel all kinds of classy, bougie, and put-together; it was a winter style game-changer. In the winter, a coat really is that one part of your outfit that is showcased the majority of the time, especially when you’re moving about outside. The type of coat you choose is totally up to you, whether you opt for a faux fur one, a classic wool coat; or a statement - making puffer coat, just have that one coat that you feel great wearing and beautifully compliments your amazing outfits. For me, a classic, chic camel coat has been a staple of mine for the past few winters now, and I’m looking forward to wearing a faux fur coat this winter (it gives all all the bougie, cozy, comfy-ness that I’m here for).

A Blazer

Now, I don’t think this list would be complete if I did not mention a blazer. Blazers, particularly tailored and structured styles, have become closet staples all year-round, adding a chic element to an outfit. I think a blazer offers the perfect outerwear alternative for the fall and winter days that aren’t so cold, and you can layer sweaters and turtleneck tops for extra warmth. Colourful blazers in shades of blue and green have been One thing that has been trending for blazers this 2021 fall/winter season is blazers in brighter colours, like red and blue, and also tweed and houndstooth, and plaid prints.

A Statement Headband, Hat, or Hair Accessory

When it comes to jewellery, I love to wear necklaces. However, in winter, I find the idea of wearing a piece of metal against my skin, when the cold air is blowing to not be the greatest thing. This is when a hat or statement headband comes in handy! Headbands and hats, I think, are a great and easy way to accessorize your face as an alternative to a necklace, especially in cooler months. What I love in particular are headbands that have pearls, jewels/bedazzling, and all that bling! These type of headbands, like the pearl headband I’m wearing below (similar), remind me of tiaras and I love how they add a bit of glam to even the most simple outfit. Now, if you’re not a bling type of person, you can still try a statement headband in a luxxe fabric like leather, velvet, or satin.

Hats also offer a fun way to accessorize your outfits, while also keeping you warm in the cold months. In keeping with the “bright colour” trends for 2021, try a hat in a fun, vibrant colour.

A Great Pair of Boots

Like a great coat, a pair of amazing boots will never fail you in your cold-weather styling. Boots come in so many heel heights now, which makes it possible to do a swap out of your go-to warmer weather shoes. A dressier, heeled pair of boots offer a great footwear option in winter months where you may want to have the height and extra something something that high heels add- but you still want your toes to be warm. Then, as an alternative to your go-to flats and sandals, a pair low-heel or flat-soled boot offer a comfrtable, casual option. My footwear of choice is a classic pointed-toe black ankle boot: timeless, chic, and so versatile.