2021 Winter Essentials

Can you believe it?! Winter is almost here! What a crazy year this has been. And it surely flew by! Did the month of November even exist? I feel as if I blinked my eyes, and the entire month was gone. Well winter is going to come rushing upon us and we need to be prepared with our winter attire. I will be experiencing an East Coast winter for the first time, though I am nervous I have a few staples I am hoping will get me through the season.

Layer Up!

Two staple layering pieces for this season are the trench and blazer. A wool trench is perfect for a chilly winter season, while a blazer is better suited for a milder climate. The thing about the trench is that this coat is timeless. A trench coat is something you will come back to season after season for an effortlessly chic look. I guess I lied you can totally wear a trench coat in a mild climate, just look for a cotton option to fully embrace your winter outfits. For a casual look, wear a trench open with a sweater and casual joggers. I am picturing a monochromatic moment with a camel trench, cream sweater, bronze joggers, and a cream athleisure style sneaker. Wooh! That outfit is perfect for a casual on the go look. While for a dressier option I’m still picturing a brown trench with navy trousers and a pussy bow blouse, which screams effortless!

Another favorite for this winter season is a blazer! Blazers are a staple for any season, but for this season in particular leather blazers are having quite a moment along with cropped blazers. Oversized, fitted, cropped the leather blazer comes in all the above and is easy to pair with boyfriend jeans or a simple pair of black slacks. An oversized option is easier for a weekend look – slip the blazer on with a fun pair of booties and a bodysuit (pairing this with a more fitted top is my personal preference because I do not want to be drowning in two oversized pieces, but it can be done!). While, if you are in a more business casual field a fitted leather blazer would be a better option. And, if you are a little nervous if the blazer is professional enough simply keep things classic with an all-neutral look (i.e., black leather blazer, cream sweater, black pants, and black booties). And we cannot forget about the cropped blazer! There are cropped blazers out there that are so cropped they frankly look ridiculous to me right now (who knows how I will feel in a few years when they are commonplace). But I am talking about the cropped blazer which hits right at the hips. My favorite is a tweed cropped blazer, which is shouting Chanel! Pair a tweed blazer with a slightly oversized crisp white button down (I am sure you are sensing how I like to juxtapose fitted and oversized pieces for a seamless look). Okay, so a cropped tweed blazer, oversized white button down, straight/flare leather pants and a pointed toe bootie. Oh, so glamourous! You could of course pair a tweed blazer with leather sneakers for a more casual look, but why not go all out with the dressier option for this outfit!

Pantalons

Maybe you have already caught onto what the go-to pants are for the season, maybe not. Well shocker the two must have styles of pants for this season are a wide leg trouser for work and a straight or full-length pair of boyfriend jeans. I am so over sending black work pants to my clients this year, so I have been sending a lot of navy and burgundy or even a classic camel colored trouser. These colors are so easy for pairing with fall neutrals, and they appear as if one is putting a little more effort into their outfit by skipping black trousers. Though I cannot hate on black trousers as they are an essential to have in your closet. I am simply thinking that people are wanting to have a little more fun with their wardrobe this season! Pair these pants with a fall-colored trench and sweater or blouse, and you are all set for a crisp winter outfit.

For a more casual pant option this season go grab a pair of straight leg or full-length boyfriend jeans. Not only are these in style, but they are oh so comfy! I have been wearing straight leg jeans for nearly five years now and cannot get enough of them. I am however moving onward to full-length boyfriend jeans for my new go-to. In my opinion cropped boyfriend jeans are of a much different look than a longer option. Cropped jeans are more for spring or summer, but the full-length pair is an essential for those cold winter days. For a more trend forward look pair the jeans with a cozy sweater and chunky sneaker. And, if you are wanting to ease into this trend pair them with a lower sneaker or my personal favorite a chunky boot!

The Shirts

Now we cannot forget about the tops. Two staple tops I am loving for this winter are as previously mentioned a pussy bow blouse and a more casual turtleneck option (preferably a bodysuit). If you have a more classic style or dressier workplace, then you need to snag a pussy bow blouse. This name comes from the resemblance the tie has to a bow that would be tied around kittens. I am now picturing a kitten with a cute, little bow around its neck. Originally making its way into the fashion scene in the 1960s the pussy bow blouse has made a full circle and is now an essential for 2021. You can go with a patterned or solid option and easily pair this blouse with the trench or blazers mentioned above for a French inspired look.

And, for the more casual option of the shirts is the turtleneck. I absolutely love turtlenecks and I love fitted ones even more! A fitted turtleneck is simply so easy for layering over or wearing alone (if you are lucky enough to not need to wear a jacket in winter!). This top looks fabulous with a loose fitted pair of jeans or the trousers. Are you seeing how this all ties together?! Dress this top up or down with the pieces you choose to layer with or not.

Wooh weeeh… I have not even touched on shoes or accessories. Yikes! We cannot forget about the pieces that pull together our outfits. Check back next week and I will have a full piece on those items.

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