My Winter-Winter Uniform

And a couple things I'm really, really tempted by

I mentally break winter into micro-seasons: fall-winter (November-end of year); winter-winter (Jan 1 through March 1); and spring-winter (March 1-whenever it actually gets warm). Yes, a good portion of those seasons aren’t properly winter, but in New York it’s cold enough for a heavier coat, so it is winter to me.

This is the time of year when I tend towards big sweaters, slim trousers, and boots. It’s a simple uniform but it works well and it’s something I feel comfortable in. It does, however, get a little repetitive after a while, primarily because I’m working with three pairs of pants. In anticipation of my impending boredom (spoiler: it’s already here because I spent most of fall-winter wearing these trousers too), I’m thoughtfully considering pieces I’d like to add—and whether or not they’ll work for me—in order to reduce the dreaded impulse-without-sentiment buy.

My three go-to trousers, as you’ve all seen ad nauseum, are slim cords (from J. Crew and Frame), grey flannel trousers from Ann Mashburn (they’re having their big sale right now!!), and these pants from Frank & Eileen. I feel like these three cover a great deal of scenarios: casual (the cords), work (the grey flannel), and going-out (the black stretch pants).

As for big sweaters, I have a million sweaters (it seems), but unfortunately most of these are out of commission this year because they have tighter sleeves with limited stretch and I’m dealing with a bout of tennis elbow¹. So shopping for sweaters, my favorite category, is not only desirable but necessary. Right now I’ve been living in my La Ligne Val and Marin sweaters, both of which have soft, wider arms and are extremely warm, but two sweaters is not enough 1) for my everyday life and 2) for my sweater-obsessed self. They’re both deeply on the casual side, however, though they can work for going out or work in a pinch.

For boots, I have two: a brown suede Chelsea pair, and two much cooler black pairs (one from Margaux that I wear downtown, the other abroad or uptown—an old pair from Sézane). I’m still in search of a middle ground option and one that’s not suede, as versatile as that style is. And of course I usually find a way to squeeze Belgian Shoes in there.

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Here’s what I’m eyeing to supplement my winter wardrobe…

This is potentially my ur-sweater (at least in cotton).

I used to have an incredible TSE cashmere tee that got stained beyond repair. This would not only be a great replacement, but has the strong potential to be better than the original (plus 50% off!)

I’m not cool enough for this but maybe I could be.

No notes for this turtleneck.

As I get older, I’ve been leaning more towards brown as my neutral, and I don’t have a brown turtleneck… yet.

This reminds me of this great sweater Fanny Adams wore in a recent outfit post (look 3—I have this specific look on the brain!)

I finally bought a pair of Donni kickflares and I’m super happy about them!! I ordered in dark grey but would like to add another color to my wardrobe.

I’m a traditionalist when it comes to boots, but these Jamie Haller boots are my newest obsession.

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Obviously I’m not going to buy everything on this list—nor would I want to! To quote myself in a recent comment, “Slow and steady is how you learn your own style, in my opinion. I'd rather deliberate for years and be delighted in the end than buy something immediately and not care as much.” (Which is why I debated kick flare pants since LITERALLY pre-covid before buying a pair!)

Which pieces do you love, and which would you pass up?

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Whoops, this is just the same sweater four different ways…

Plus one other La Ligne sweater for good measure. I think this proves my point, though, that a new sweater this season is essential!

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1. I say this like I’ve been playing tennis lately. I have not (nor squash). Just poor posture at my desk whilst typing! But tennis elbow sounds a lot better, like I’ve been active instead of sedentary, with copious cups of tea.