You don’t have to drop a bundle of cash to look good in the winter. You can look like a million bucks with minimal investment. Be warm and stylish while dressing for winter weather on a budget.
Invest in Winter-Wear Staples
Winter clothes get a lot more wear and tear than your spring or summer staples because they’re exposed to harsher conditions. A beautiful pair of boots can be paired with less expensive items for a look that’s enduring and fabulous. Pick your investment items in saturated, cool weather colors like black, warm brown or deep burgundy. For footwear, look for nicely lined pieces that will save you from frostbite. Similarly, find gloves that will keep your hands toasty while still complimenting your outfit. These items will last you for several winters, so worth it.
Investment pieces include:
• Boots
• Gloves
• Winter Coats
• Thrift Shop Winter Finds
Thrift Shop Winter Finds
Buy a few fabulous investment pieces and cut a few corners with the rest of your wardrobe. Thrift stores are full of fantastic finds that aren’t going to look like the same thing that everyone else is wearing this season. Find yourself some maxi dresses with interesting patterns, funky leggings, or thick tweed pants that will pair with items that you already have in your closet. If they don’t exactly match your taste when you get home, no worries, just re-donate them so someone else can enjoy. Thrift shops are an excellent way to give you a fresh, inexpensive winter wardrobe.
Thrift shop finds include:
• Fun sweaters and sweatshirts
• Vintage dresses
• Coats and jackets
• Be Relentless With Your Closet
De-Clutter Your Closet
Chances are you have a bunch of items cluttering up your closet. You’ve probably told yourself that you’ll wear them someday, but they’ve been gathering dust. Part of having a great winter wardrobe is being able to find what you’re looking for, so be ruthless with your closet and get rid of anything that you haven’t worn in several seasons. You’ll get a better idea of what you’re working with and you can donate all of your unwanted clothes to someone who could use them. Cleaning out your closet is a good way to start with a clean slate and pay it forward to someone who will truly appreciate your clothes.
Sort by Season
Make sure you only have winter clothes in rotation. So many people keep summer, spring and fall clothes mixed in with their winter items. Pack up your pretty summer dresses and shoes and store them for safe-keeping until the weather thaws. This way, you won’t have to be rifling through tank tops to find your favorite sweatshirt.
Layer Stylishly
Winter dressing is all about packing on the layers. You need as much insulation as possible for when you head out into the elements. Don’t look at layering as a chore; look at it as an opportunity to express your creative side. Use strategically placed pops of color to add pizzazz to your look. Punch things up with vibrant leggings under a black sheath dress. You don’t even need to only work with one bright color. Play with complementary shades and you’ll discover a fresh new look that is anything but drab and dreary.
Play With Function and Style
Color isn’t the only way you express yourself in the dead of winter. Use your imagination to create signature pieces that are both functional and fashionable. Why not dress up that slouchy sweater with an antique brooch, or put your sewing skills to the test by dressing up that faux leather coat with some cool patches? Look at your wardrobe as a jumping off point where the sky is the limit. You don’t need to wear your clothes as is. You can tailor them to fit your unique personality. Don’t have a sewing gene in your body? Many dry-cleaners have expert tailors on their staff.
Swap With Friends
This is a fun and totally free way to score yourself a brand new winter wardrobe. Find a few friends who are willing to go through their closets and purge unwanted clothes, then throw a party. As the old saying goes, “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure” and some of your friends’ unwanted items might find a good home in your own closet. Similarly, you’ll be able to get rid of some of your old items as well. This is a great way for everyone to walk away with some fabulous new pieces and an incentive to get rid of their unwanted items, a total win-win.
Your winter wardrobe doesn’t have to be dreary. With a little creativity and a small investment, you can have a wonderful and warm winter wardrobe.
