Beat the Blues With These Essential Winter Pieces

These are the five pieces you need to stay warm and stylish this season.

Winter Essentials

Lauren Ralph Lauren coat; Asket sweater; Coach skirt; Mateo New York earrings; Maria la Rosa socks; Tod's shoes; Salvatore Ferragamo purse.

(Image credit: Kat Irlin)

There’s something indulgent about winter’s easy cold-weather pieces, like straight-forward shoes and cozy knits. While oversized puffers and heavy tread boots are essential for snow, your day-to-day staples don't have to swallow you whole. Here, we suggest a few tailored items that even show a teeny bit of skin. A crisp peacoat, a midi-length plaid skirt, a wooly pullover, a dependable loafer, and a convertible hands-free bag will help you stylishly bide some time until spring. 


The Peacoat

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Warm and dependable, the sturdy peacoat isn't just the premiere jacket choice for sailors taking to the high seas. Today, the silhouette is a classic, fashion-forward addition to a modern woman's wardrobe. Both warm and water resistant, the peacoat has attracted famous practical fashion lovers including Jackie Onassis and Jane Birkin, according to fashion historian Kimberly Chrisman-Campbell.

Shop a plethora of peacoats here.


the essentials

(Image credit: Kat Irlin)

The Wool Sweater

Sure, you could wear mohair, cashmere, or cable knit, but the simplicity of a quality wool sweater is unrivaled. Sustainable by nature, a modern wool knit is a feel-good, look-good piece that will protect you from the elements with ease.

Right this way to shop more wool sweaters.


winter essentials

(Image credit: Kat Irlin)

The Plaid Skirt

The popularity of plaid has spread far and wide; once worn exclusively by schoolgirls, the print later became a signature of the '90s punk scene. Today, the pattern is equal parts classic and cool—especially when it comes in a knee-grazing midi style.

Peruse even more plaid skirts.


winter essentials

(Image credit: Kat Irlin)

The Loafer

Women everywhere have traded in their cumbersome heels for polished loafer styles. Thanks to their comfy DNA and cool modern upgrades—like chain-link trims and buckle embellishments—you can remain en vogue through the winter chill.

Let's shop more loafers.


winter essentials

(Image credit: Kat Irlin)

The Polished Work Bag

Wherever your day takes you, a sophisticated work bag that can carry a laptop, all the cords, your notebooks, plus lip balm, hand sanitizer, and an iPhone is key. Bonus points if your bag can convert to a hands-free model, ideal for plummeting degrees.

Whistle while you shop more work bags here.


Photographer: Kat Irlin | Stylist: Julia Gall | Hair: Riad Azar at The Wallgroup | Makeup: Jodie Boland at The Wallgroup | Photo Assistant: Ros Hayes

Sara Holzman
Style Director

Sara Holzman is the Style Director for Marie Claire, where she's worked alongside the publication for eight years in various roles, ensuring the brand's fashion content continues to inform, inspire, and shape the conversation about fashion's ever-evolving landscape. With a degree from the Missouri School of Journalism, Sara is responsible for overseeing a diverse fashion content mix, from emerging and legacy designer profiles to reported features on the influence of social media on style and seasonal and micro trends across the world's fashion epicenters in New York, Milan, and Paris. Before joining Marie Claire, Sara held fashion roles at Conde Nast's Lucky Magazine and Self Magazine and was a style and travel contributor to Equinox's Furthermore website. Over her decade of experience in the fashion industry, Sara has helped guide each brand's style point of view, working alongside veteran photographers and stylists to bring editorial and celebrity photo shoots to fruition from start to finish. Sara currently lives in New York City. When she's not penning about fashion or travel, she’s at the farmer’s market, on a run, working to perfect her roasted chicken recipe, or spending time with her husband, dog, and cat. Follow her along at @sarajonewyork