How to make your wardrobe winter ready

Looking and feeling good in sub-zero temperatures.

It’s a yearly event, that morning when it dawns on us that the weather has changed, and we’ve entered the inevitable winter season. The frost on the ground, the chill in the air, and the visible breath that sets off the same familiar response – it is time to start layering up. The topcoats come out, we check our sweater collection to ensure we have enough to last the season, and we hit the stores in search of toques, gloves, and those chunky plastic shoe covers.

Fall fashion is anticipated with excitement, but we don’t feel the same way about winter fashion. It’s as though fall is the beginning of the weekend and winter is Monday. Just because the temperature drops a few degrees doesn’t mean our looks should go from hero to zero - winter does not have the right to make our style boring. Here are a few ways to combat your winter wardrobe issues.

Invest in a jacket that both looks stylish and keeps you warm.

To stay warm, it doesn’t need to look like you’re hitting the mountains in your down-filled, good-to-minus-40 jacket – there are plenty of alternatives that are designed to keep you toasty while remaining stylish. Many brands have designed jackets with Canadian winters in mind – so finally, you don’t need to compromise style for warmth.

Here are a few great examples.

Don’t forget to accessorize

Your winter accessories should complement your outfit as a whole. Grab a toque and a scarf that add to your look, not take away from it. Bold colours or funky patterns in a soft merino wool or cashmere will make you excited about these cold-weather staples.

Prepare to boot-up

A nice pair of winter boots will surely take your cold weather style game up a notch. Make sure you invest in a pair that are made to last. A few of my favourites are the Redwing and Wolverine ‘1000 Mile Boot’ for casual wear and the Too Boot New York ‘Chelsea Boot’ or John Varvatos ‘Chukka Boot’ for a dressy alternative. Keep in mind that before you wear them you should spray them down with a leather protector.

Layers are key

If you’re not sure how or what to layer, think of it this way, button-ups can always be layered under sweaters, and cardigans can always be layered over anything that isn’t a sweater. Make sure the colours don’t clash and you’re good to go.

Put it all together!

Now that you've got your winter situation sorted out, put it all together and get ready to turn heads!

And there you have it, a few different ways to help make your wardrobe winter ready! It's around the corner, so don't procrastinate for too long!

- Stylishly yours, Ensemble Style.