As much as I don’t love the season, winter style is one of my favourites. I love layering up my clothes, wearing cosy outfits and finding ways to stay warm but remain stylish. Knitwear and denim and my best friends so I’m always happy that they are making regular appearances in my wardrobe at this time of year. We still have at least half of the winter left, although I suspect it may be more, but I have nailed down my essential wardrobe pieces for this winter and the things that have made creating the outfits I love much easier.

My top priorities for the winter are being warm and comfortable so unlike in my younger years I do actually wear coats and boots now. I still want to be able to express my style though and love every outfit I wear so I’ve found looking for a few key staples has allowed me to build a winter wardrobe that I not only love but also allows me to get much more wear out of the items I already have. This season I really haven’t bought a lot of things so some of these are essentials that have stood the test of time and others are more trend-led but nonetheless practical purchases.

The first thing you need this winter is a big warm coat. This shearling one from Topshop has been in my wardrobe for a couple of years and I can honestly say it is one of the best things I have ever bought. The slightly cropped style means it doesn’t drown me but it still keeps me warm and is the perfect thing to snuggle up in. The slightly baggier arms means that I can fit knitwear underneath it easily but the faux-shearling lining means that it will still keep you warm with thinner knits and t-shirts. This one is a few years old but there are similar ones here, here and here.

I adore cashmere knitwear. Nothing keeps me warm like it and I think it just looks so chic and timeless. If you take care of it well then there is no reason why it can’t last you for years and although it used to be associated with being a total pain to wash M&S cashmere can now be put in the washing machine - game changing! (Just be careful to read the instructions and follow them exactly!). I sized up on this grey knit to give it a slightly baggier look and I love it. It goes with black jeans, smarter trousers but also blue denim for when the weather eventually warms up slightly. Cashmere can be expensive but the M&S offering is more affordable, if this is still out of your price range though have a look on eBay or Depop, there are often 100% cashmere jumpers knocking around there for a fraction of the price.

They aren’t for everyone but personally I love a pair of leather-look trousers. I think they instantly add a more dressed up & “fashion” look to even the most basic outfit and because they are still black they’re super versatile. Finding the perfect pair of faux-leather trousers can be a real task though - I often find the legs are very short and I just look a little daft, not to mention they’re often rather expensive. This year I picked up these coated jeans from Primark and although they haven’t stood the test of time quite how I had hoped they were affordable, fitted me in the leg and re-affirmed that this is definitely an item in my wardrobe that I would consider investing in more in the future. You can’t link to Primark online but there are similar options here, here and here.

Finding wamer but sensible footwear for the winter has never been my strong suit. I’m a fan of beautiful boots with a heel but often these aren’t sutible for walks, bad weather and don’t always keep my feet that warm. Well luckily for me the hiking boot trend has exploded this year and I found these from H&M. They’re comfortable, on trend but most importantly their warm. The faux-fur tounge you see? Well that lines the ENTIRE BOOT! I know, so cosy and warm! The heavy duty rubber sole doubles up as not only the perfect way to embrace the trend but also means that they’re perfect for muddy walks and the low heel means they will still be suitable when the weather gets that bit icier. I didn’t need to break these in at all and the high ankle on them means that your ankles are always kept warm. Tip - I sized up to a 7.5 from by normal 6.5/7 so maybe play around with the sizes a little. There are still loads on the highstreet and their practicaily makes me think that they will still be around in a few winters time so it’s worth picking up a pair now.

Winter trends are tricky as often the items that you need to buy in the winter are that bit more expensive. You don’t want to rush in a spend loads on quick trends or items that you won’t actually get the wear out of becuase they aren’t fit for purpose. These are all items that I have worn and worn over the past few months, they all interchange with so many outfits in my wardrobe and most importantly I am warm and comfortable. If you’re looking at your wardrobe and want to refresh things this January but aren’t quite sure where to start then these 4 essentials are a good start.