A Native Floridian’s Winter Capsule Wardrobe

Winter is here, and now is the time. As a native Floridian, I don’t have a ton of experience with cold temperatures and snow — when I’m home, you’ll find me in sundresses year-round. But as a travel writer, I’m often on assignment in places with chilly climates, so over the past few years, I’ve developed what I like to call my “perfect” winter capsule wardrobe.

From Sweden to Banff to Jackson Hole, these 13 pieces have kept me warm, cozy, and stylish. After traveling to many cold places, I’ve learned to leave sundresses at home and instead pack styles like comfortable base layers, weather-resistant coats, and even a puffer skirt. I’ve also learned to mix and match—my best pro tip for creating your own winter wardrobe capsule is to add a pop of color here and there, choose about three colors, and whip up dozens of outfits. Shop my favorite pieces of cold weather gear from Amazon, Uniqlo, and more, starting at $15.

Author’s Top Picks:

Uniqlo Hat Tech Long Sleeve T-Shirt

When it comes to winter accessories, the Uniqlo Hat-Tech Long Sleeve Shirts are my absolute holy grail. I have one in black and one in pink that work perfectly as a base layer in my winter capsule wardrobe. They’re so thin and soft, but somehow keep me super warm – I don’t understand the magic behind them, but I’ve had them for years, washed them regularly, and haven’t had to replace them yet, making them a great (and cheap) investment.

Sebi hooded double-breasted trench coat

When I took my first big winter trip to Sweden a few years ago, I was nervous about which coat would fit and borrowed one from a friend. It kept me so warm and protected from the rain and wind that I immediately He came home and bought the same. This double-breasted trench coat is both water and wind resistant and sports a handy detachable hood, perfect for those moments where you need to protect your face and hair. The pockets are deep enough to keep your gloves in when you need to pull them on, and the fit is absolute perfection.

Old Navy Sosoft Light Crew Sweater

I’m a big fan of cozy crew neck sweaters for winter travel, and Old Navy’s Sosoft line is one of my favorites. They almost always sell out and come out in a ton of new colors every year. This toasty sweater is perfect for layering over my Uniqlo Hat Tech shirts for maximum warmth or wearing over a cami in between mild winter days. I have several — in solid colors and some in fun patterns — and they all pair well with the rest of my capsule wardrobe.

A Jack Smith puffer tucks the skirt

When I started curating my winter wardrobe, I was really on the hunt to find a warm skirt that would not only help me brave the cold weather, but also make me feel like myself. This puffer skirt does exactly that. It’s cozy and oh-so-warm, while still making me feel cuddly and cute. Paired with a pair of woolen printed tights and a winter pair, it lets me take on winter in style. I’ve worn this skirt all over the Canadian Rockies and on snowy trips in Jackson Hole and can vouch that the insulation really works. It zips up, so it’s easy to put on, and it has a drawstring so you can cinch the waist as needed. Plus, I get compliments every time I wear it.

Merylor wool lined tights

Speaking of wool tights, these see-through tights are an absolute must. I love that they have a variety of colors for different skin tones, so you can still look sleek with regular tights incorporated into an outfit—so much so that I often have to explain that I’m not cold because it’s not really revealed by them. It’s easy to stretch, resistant to snags, and the fleece layer is so warm that I rarely need another layer. Paired with skirts and a long jacket, I’m ready to go.

Kenneth Cole Annabelle Chelsea Boot

A comfortable, weatherproof pair is a must when it comes to stocking up on the perfect winter essentials. Personally, I’m a huge fan of Chelsea boots and love the ones from Kenneth Cole. They’re chic and easy, but more importantly, I feel like I could walk in them forever. It didn’t take long to break them in (maybe wear one or two), and now they’re often the shoes I travel with when I head to a winter destination.

Free People Pippa Packable Puffer Jacket

The Pippa Packable Puffer is a bit of a splurge, but it’s truly one of my favorite winter wardrobe purchases. It’s the softest, most elegantly styled and has a little more movement, making it ideal for laying needs. It has great pockets, and then there’s even a hidden pocket on the inside where you can fold it inside to turn it into a travel pillow size. There’s a small cord that makes it easy to attach to the outside of my personal item when traveling, so it doesn’t take up any valuable luggage space—unless trying to travel alone during the winter months. Plus, Free People releases new colors every year, so there are tons of fun options to choose from.

Gap Vintages Soft Baggy Sweat

I always wear baggy sweats when I travel during the winter months. Not only are they comfortable and easy to dress down, but they also give me just the right amount of warmth I’m looking for when I land on a cold floor and have to get from the airport to the hotel. Gap’s Vintagefit baggy sweats never let me down—without, I have them in plenty of colors.

Casey Lamet 2 Piece Skirt Set

A sweater and skirt set is a great way to keep things cozy and elevated when traveling in winter climates. I have my eye on this Amazon set which is a steal at just $36. It’s gotten rave reviews, with one shopper saying it’s “perfect and comfortable.” Paired with my wool-lined tights, a scarf, and my long coat, I’m ready for après-ski, dinner and drinks, or a stroll around a quaint town.

Arfnkim Thermal Fleece Lined Gloves

When traveling in cold climates, gloves are essential. I love these thermal gloves that I found on Amazon. They fit well and create a finger tuck that still allows me to access the touchscreen on my phone. They’re super soft, and lined with fleece on the inside, so there’s no way your hands are going to get cold inside. I love that they come in different colors, if you want something more interesting than the usual black.

Arctics essential insulated bib overalls

With over 40,000 five-star ratings on Amazon, the Arctics women’s essential insulated bib overall was an easy addition to my cart when I was shopping for my first pair of winter snow pants. Super comfortable and easy to move, they are so sleek and layer friendly. They come in a ton of colors and are even available in a wide range of compact sizes and inseams. I wore these on a three-mile snow hike to see Frozen Falls in Banff, and they were just perfect.

Hoover single-breasted woolly peacock

Once I had my most weather-resistant coat, I decided that a long wool peacoat would be a nice addition to my winter capsule wardrobe. I chose to make my wool coat my “personality coat” and got it in a fun pink color. It still matches everything else in my capsule, but adds a pop that makes dressing for winter fun. This style features gorgeous gold buttons and a flattering silhouette that doesn’t look too bulky even over a ton of layers. Another Floridian shopper also raved about “being able to travel to places with snow and still use it without getting cold,” noting that it fits perfectly over a sweater.

Stray Agave Plaid Blanket Scarf

An easy way to add some personality to your winter outfit is when you mix and match pieces. The Wander Agave Scarf at Amazon is a great one to start with because it comes in a ton of patterns and can double as a blanket when you’re on a cold plane or long road trip.

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