I’m Buying These 6 Fashion Non-Negotiables for Winter

I stepped outside this weekend in my usual fall uniform of a light quilted jacket, jeans, and a knit turtleneck sweater. I immediately wished I’d put on something heavier and knew it was time to start rounding up my winter essentials. I carefully combed through my closet and made a checklist of all the things I needed: heavier-weight denim, warm and cozy shoes, sweaters, hats, and gloves. So I turned to my favorite retailers — J.Crew, Madewell, and Nordstrom — to find six clothing non-negotiables I need to fill in the gaps of my winter wardrobe. Best of all: prices start at $23.

My 6 Winter Must-Haves:

Madewell Wide-Rib Turtleneck Sweater

Madewell

To quote Spongebob, “The best time to wear a striped sweater is all the time,” and he’s right, which is why I’m adding Madewell’s striped Wide-Rib Turtleneck Sweater to my cart. It comes in two white-striped options — green and blue — and three solids in sizes 2XS and 2XL. It features a foldover turtleneck, thick ribbed cuffs, slits at the side seam, and an exaggerated drop shoulder. The knit sweater has a relaxed fit and a cropped length that hits high at the hip.

Levi's Dad Jeans

Nordstrom

With my recent weight change, I’ve completely overhauled my entire denim collection. While I’ve been rehoming my jeans, I’ve also been picking up some new styles, like these Levi's Dad Jeans from Nordstrom. They’ve become one of my favorite jeans to date — so much that I’m going back for them in this black shade because they fit and feel so good.

The baggy-fit jeans come in sizes 25 through 33 and feature a low-waisted fit that falls straight down to the ankle. Plus, they have a traditional zipper and button closure for easy on and off. I plan on pairing them with a chunky sweater (like the aforementioned Madewell Wide-Rib Turtleneck Sweater) and comfy sneakers or ankle boots.

Topshop Faux Fur Bucket Hat

Nordstrom

I’m in my bucket hat era; I was wearing them all summer to combat bad hair days, but recently concluded that the beachy version I was sporting wasn’t a fit for the cold months. And just when I thought I was back to wearing baseball caps, I came across this Faux Fur Bucket Hat from Topshop — and I haven’t stopped thinking about it since.

The wide-brimmed hat comes in a warm chocolate shade and is lined in a plush, short-hair faux fur that is both warm and chic. I plan on styling it with a matching oversized faux leather bomber jacket, LBD, and knee-high boots for a night out with my girls.

Shop the rest of my seasonal fashion picks, below.