A Native Floridian’s Winter Capsule Wardrobe

Winter is here, and it’s time to bundle up. As a native Floridian, I don’t have a ton of experience with cold temperatures and snow—when I’m at home, you can find me in sundresses all year long. But as a travel writer, I’m often on assignment in places with chilly climates, so in the last few years, I’ve curated 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 so many cold places, I’ve learned to leave the sundresses at home and instead pack styles like cozy 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 pick roughly three colors and stick with them to create dozens of outfits, adding a pop of color here and there. Shop my favorite cold-weather gear pieces from Amazon, Uniqlo, and more, starting at $15.

Writer’s Top Picks:

Uniqlo HeatTech Long-sleeve T-shirt

The Uniqlo HeatTech long-sleeve shirts are my absolute holy grails when it comes to winter essentials. I have one in black and one in pink that work perfectly in my winter capsule wardrobe as a base layer. They are 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, wash them regularly, and haven’t had to replace them yet, making them one of the best (and affordable) investments I’ve made.

Sebby Hooded Double-breasted Trench Coat

When I took my first big winter trip to Sweden a few years ago, I was panicking about what coat would be appropriate and borrowed one from a friend. It kept me so warm and safe from rain and wind that I immediately came home and bought the same one. This double-breasted trench coat is both water- and wind-resistant and sports a convenient detachable hood that’s perfect for those moments where you need to shield your face and hair. The pockets are deep enough for keeping your gloves in them when you need to pull them off, and the fit is absolute perfection—just oversized enough to fit any necessary layers under it.

Old Navy SoSoft Lite Crewneck Sweater 

I’m a big fan of a comfy crew-neck sweater for winter travel, and the SoSoft line from Old Navy is one of my favorites. They are almost always on sale and come in a ton of new colors every year. This toasty sweater is perfect for layering over my Uniqlo HeatTech shirts for maximum warmth or wearing over a cami on those in-between mildly warmer winter days. I have several—some in solid colors and some in fun patterns—and they all pair well with the rest of my capsule wardrobe.

Jack Smith Puffer Quilted Skirt

When I started to curate my winter wardrobe, I was on the hunt to find a really warm skirt that could help me combat 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 letting me feel girly and cute. Paired with fleece-lined tights and a pair of winter boots, it lets me take on winter in style. I’ve worn this skirt on snowy trips all over the Canadian Rockies and in Jackson Hole and can vouch that its 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, it gets compliments every time I wear it. 

MeryLure Fleece-lined Tights

Speaking of fleece tights, these translucent-looking tights are an absolute must. I love that they have a range of different skin-toned colors, so you still get that sleek look regular tights add to an outfit—so much so, that I’ve often had to explain I’m not cold because that’s not actually my skin showing through them. These are easy to pull on, resistant to snags, and the fleece lining is so warm that I rarely need another layer. Paired with skirts and a long jacket, I’m ready to go. 

Kenneth Cole Anabelle Chelsea Boot

Having a comfortable, weather-proof pair of boots is a must when it comes to curating the perfect winter essentials. Personally, I’m a big fan of the Chelsea boots and love the ones from Kenneth Cole. They are chic and easy to put on, but more importantly, I feel like I could walk forever in these. They didn’t take long to break in (maybe one or two wears), and now they are often the only shoes I’ll travel with when headed 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 quilted in the softest, most lovely way and runs a bit oversized, making it ideal for layering needs. It’s got great pockets, and then there’s even a hidden pocket on the inside where you can fold it into itself to turn it into the size of a travel pillow. There’s a little string that makes it easy to attach to the outside of my personal item when traveling, so it doesn’t even take up any precious luggage space—imperative when still trying to be a carry-on only traveler, even in the winter months. Plus, Free People releases new colors every year, so there’s plenty of fun options to choose from. 

Gap VintageSoft Baggy Sweatpant

I always wear baggy sweatpants when I’m traveling during the winter months. Not only are they comfortable and easy to dress up or down, but they also provide me with the exact amount of warmth I’m looking for once I’ve landed in the cold destination and have to get from the airport to the hotel. Gap’s VintageSoft Baggy Sweatpants never let me down—admittedly, I have them in quite a few colors.

Casly Lamiit 2-piece Skirt Set

A sweater-and-skirt set is a great way to keep things cozy but elevated when traveling to a winter climate. I have my eye on this Amazon set that’s a steal for just $36. It’s got great reviews, with one shopper saying it’s “perfect and comfy.” Paired with my fleece-lined tights, a scarf, and one of my longer coats, and I’m ready for apres ski, dinner and drinks, or a walk around a quaint, snowy town. 

Arfnkim Thermal Fleece-lined Gloves

When traveling to colder climates, gloves are a must. I love these thermal gloves that I got at Amazon. They fit well and have tech built into the fingertips that still allows me to access the touchscreen on my phone without having to take them off. They are super stretchy, and the insides are lined with fleece, so there’s no way your hands will be cold inside them. I like that they come in different colors, in case you want something more exciting than the usual black.

Arctix Essential Insulated Bib Overalls

With over 40,000 five-star ratings at Amazon, the Arctix Women’s Essential Insulated Bib Overalls were an easy addition to my cart when I was shopping for my first pair of winter snow pants. Super comfortable and easy to move in, they are so sleek and layer-friendly. They come in a ton of colors and are even available in a wide range of inclusive sizes and inseams. I wore these on a three-mile snow hike to see frozen waterfalls in Banff, and they were absolutely perfect.

Hooever Single-breasted Wool Peacoat

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

Wander Agio Plaid Blanket Scarf

An oversized scarf is an easy way to add some personality to your winter clothing as you mix and match pieces. The Wander Agio scarf at Amazon is a great one to start with since it comes in a ton of patterns and can double as a blanket when you’re on a chilly plane or long road trip.

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