My Winter Capsule Wardrobe 2023
Even though it’s almost Springtime, the Winter days are still in their full glory… at least here in Madrid. These are my capsule wardrobe essentials for the colder days.
I don’t know if it’s the same where you live, but Wintertime seems never-ending here in Madrid. Even though some days are sunny, these are pretty cold. I also feel cold quite quickly, so I inevitably use warmer pieces or layering up during this season.
This Winter, I invested in more pieces than I expected as I returned to the office and got a new job.
Without further ado, these are my Winter Capsule Wardrobe Essentials:
Jumpers
Photo source: Sézane
I am a big fan of jumpers. I love their softness and cozy feeling. Unfortunately, I’ve spent my money on fast fashion and low-quality pieces for most of my adult life. This means that I inevitably ended up buying new ones every single year.
Well, not anymore! It’s been a few years since I started opting for quality instead of quantity or affordability, investing in higher-quality, quality-made, and timeless pieces—jumpers with wool in their composition instead of being made out of polyester.
So, this Winter, I spent a lot of money on Sézane’s wool jumpers. I love its quality, design, and how these happen to fit my body.
I am very petite, so I usually have difficulty finding a jumper that fits (and looks my size) at most stores. That’s one of my favorite things about Sézane; they have XXS (my size) in most of their designs.
I have been cautious with my wool pieces, but here are a few hints to make these last longer:
Wash these in cold water with neutral soap.
Don’t expose these to hot water (this includes your skincare routine).
Don’t be rough when you’re rolling up your sleeves.
In case you’re wondering, I’ve spent the last few months using my Sézane and Ralph Lauren jumpers on rotation, not only because of their fit and quality but because they made me feel warm (and cozy) without being too thick or heavy.
How have I been wearing these? With a pair of Levi’s jeans and a white or gray t-shirt underneath.
Other brands that might interest you: COS, Comptoir des Cotonniers, Benetton
Cardigans
Photo Source: Sézane
It’s cardigan season! And oh, I do love a nice cardigan. Here’s why: besides the cozy and lovely look, these are also incredibly versatile. You can wear these as a jumper, with a shirt or t-shirt underneath, or over a dress (to add warmth).
I bought a couple of cardigans from & Other Stories a few years ago. But, no matter how lovely these look, I just can’t get fond of them. No matter how I style these (or how thinner I get), these never end up looking as flattering as I would like to.
So, this winter, I decided to shoot at the ones from Sézane (similar price). And I couldn’t be happier. I started by getting this one, and I loved it so much that I got the same pink model.
How have I been wearing these? With a pair of Levi’s jeans and a white t-shirt underneath.
Other brands that might interest you: Benetton
Slim Fit T-shirts
I wear t-shirts ALL YEAR LONG! No matter how cold it is outside, I usually wear one as a base layer between my skin and my jumper.
Why? I sweat more than I’d like, and I have sensitive skin. So, I know that if I wore a piece of wool directly over my skin… I would rash pretty easily. Plus, wool pieces are quite sensitive. So, I try my best to minimize the number of times I wash these. And wearing a t-shirt underneath really does the trick.
I don’t know about you, but I’ve already ruined a couple of perfect (and warm) wool jumpers by accidentally washing these with warm water.
How have I been wearing these? If it’s a cardigan or light-colored jumper, I opt for a plain white t-shirt. And a grey or light pink one with darker tones. I also wear t-shirts with tiny graphics under jumpers - if these have enough opacity not to show what’s underneath.
Where do I usually buy mine? Levi’s, Modalfa, and Sézane
Thicker Jeans
Even though I am not a thick or heavy jeans fan, I make an exception during colder days, mainly because these give me some extra warmth without needing additional layers.
I usually wear Levi’s 721. I have a darker blue pair for this time of the year. Besides the texture and thickness, it makes a better contrast with whatever color I wear on my upper body.
I also own a pair of Levi’s 720, quite similar to the one I’ve previously mentioned, but unfortunately, it doesn’t fit as well - at least in my body structure.
In the past, I used to wear pants made out of a more Winter suitable material, but since embarking on my sustainable journey, I have tried to keep things simple and to the minimum - hence jeans all year long!
How have I been wearing these? I’ve worn these with wool jumpers (sometimes colorful) and sneakers or boots.
Where do I usually buy mine? Levi’s and Benetton
Tights
OK, I’ve never been a fan of tights. First, because I’ve never found these comfortable. And second, because I am super clumsy. So a pair of socks end up destroyed within a few hours - no matter how much these have cost.
Inevitably, I wear a pair of these underneath my jeans on colder days. Just to add an extra warm layer without going for something thicker (and heavier) like thermal leggings (I leave these to extreme days - especially if I have to go to the office or spend some time outside).
How have I been wearing these? Underneath my jeans and with some long (and warm) socks on top.
Where do I usually buy mine? Local bazaar stores
Scarf
Photo Source: Sézane
A scarf might be my favorite Winter piece - it’s been like this for as long as I can remember. I prefer mine long, soft, and tight-knit (so the cold doesn’t pass through).
As I like it so much and had the London trip coming up, I invested in some quality scarves this season. The criteria? Quality-built, soft, warm, timeless, and in tune with my style. So I can wear them for years without needing (nor the desire) to replace them.
So, I bought two of these from Sézane—one in light pink and the other in grey. And I just couldn’t be happier about it. Since the pink one was the first I purchased, it has been on rotation non-stop. Plus, it adds a hint of color to my dark blue winter coats.
How have I been wearing these? With jumpers or cardigans, always on top of one of my winter coats.
Where do I usually buy mine? Sézane
Beanie
Photo Source: Sézane
There are two kinds of people: those who look effortlessly good in a beanie and those who don’t (no matter how hard they try). Unfortunately, I belong to the latter.
No matter how many models and materials I try, I still haven’t found one that makes me look good.
However, these are Winter essentials. And something that you must carry with you at all times if you live (or you’re traveling) somewhere cold.
I forgot to pack one on my trip to London because I thought it wouldn’t be that cold. Well, it wasn’t super cold, but the wind was more freezing than I expected. So, guess what… I ended up hitting the stores on my first day there.
While in Notting Hill, I visited the local Sézane store and purchased a soft grey beanie (yet super warm). What do I love the most about it? It’s so easy to handle that I always carry it inside my Winter coat. Just in case I need to put it on at any moment.
How have I been wearing it? I usually pair it with a dark coat, dark-wash jeans, brown boots, or sneakers.
Where do I usually buy mine? Sézane and Decathlon
Waterproof Winter Boots
Photo Source: Panama Jack
Better safe than sorry! I’ve never paid much attention to everyday boots. Anything comfortable would do the trick.
However, given my recent trip to London, one of the ubiquitous items on every recommendation list was (drum roll) waterproof boots.
Something that was comfortable enough to let you walk for hours on end and that kept your feet dry (and warm), just in case it started to rain
After some research, I ended up buying a pair from Panama Jack. It’s a Spanish brand specializing in leather waterproof boots.
Of course, it was a considerable investment (for me). But I have worn mine almost every time I went out since I purchased these.
I love that my pair has a warm layer inside, which is perfect for not super cold days. However, it’s not enough on days whose temperature is close to 0ºC.
How have I been wearing these? With dresses or on top of skinny dark wash jeans.
Where do I usually buy mine? Amazon and El Corte Inglés
Warm Boots
Phoro Source: UGG
As I’ve just mentioned, my Panama Jack boots fell short on cold days. So, this Winter, I had to invest in warmer boots.
After having my eye on UGG boots for so many years, this Winter, I finally invested in a pair. The temperatures were so low (even at the office) that this seemed the best solution.
But before spending my hard-earned money, I watched several reviews online on different UGG models.
I’ve purchased my pair at a local store, but you can easily find these online, at a mall, or at a department store.
What can I say about my experience so far? These are super comfortable and perfect for keeping you warm (and cozy) on a cold day, especially if you have an office job. And I love that these are incredibly lightweight. However, I am still trying to figure out how to do some maintenance to keep these in mint condition.
How have I been wearing these? On top of skinny dark wash jeans.
Where do I usually buy mine? Amazon and El Corte Inglés
Wellies
Photo Source: Hunter
Even though I don’t live in a rainy country when it rains in Madrid… it usually rains A LOT! So, I need something in my closet for the occasion - especially if I have to go to the office.
When it comes to wellies, I’ve always been a huge fan of Hunter Boots - as they last forever.
My recommendation? Opt for the shorter models instead of, the higher ones, as you can wear these for many more years, no matter if your body structure changes.
Why do I say this? My first pair of Hunter boots was a slightly under-the-knee model. My legs were skinny back then, but they changed a lot once I got into training and running. So my beloved pair of wellies no longer fitted, even though they were in perfect condition.
I donated these before moving to Madrid and purchased a shorter model during my first Winter here.
If you’re not up to paying for Hunter wellies, there are many other brands out there.
How have I been wearing these? On top of skinny dark wash jeans.
Where do I usually buy mine? Amazon and El Corte Inglés
Sneakers
Photo Source: Nike
If you’re not new to The Sustainablist, you probably already know by now that I am a huge sneaker fan (despite only owning three pairs and an old pair of running shoes).
I wear sneakers all year long. The pair I’ve been wearing the most this Winter has been a standard pair of black Nike running shoes I purchased two years ago.
However, given a friend’s recommendation, I’ve had my eye on Allbirds wool running shoes for a few months now. So, I’m pretty sure I’ll buy a pair towards the end of the year.
How have I been wearing these? On top of skinny dark wash jeans.
Where do I usually buy mine? Nike, Amazon, and El Corte Inglés
Winter Coat
Photo Source: The North Face
“There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes.”
I heard this phrase for the first time during one of my trips to Copenhagen. Back then, I wasn’t able to invest in good-quality clothes. For two reasons: first, I had a very meager salary. Second, I had a “more is better” mindset.
This means I would mindlessly buy random fast-fashion clothes every week when I could save the money weekly until I had enough to purchase something good.
Thankfully, my mindset drastically changed a few years ago. And back in 2019, I purchased a discounted The North Face Winter coat that has been doing wonders for me.
Mine is a bit long. So, as I am petite, it goes slightly above my knee, which is perfect for freezing days.
This 2019 investment has been a total lifesaver this Winter, as I have to go to the office 2 to 3 times per week. And early morning temperatures are usually relatively low.
Would I still purchase it nowadays? Probably, yes. Don’t get me wrong. I am super happy with the experience so far. At the moment, I would probably end up purchasing a more eco-friendly alternative, as are the Winter coats from ECOALF.
How have I been wearing these? On top of skinny dark wash jeans.
Where do I usually buy mine? The Style Outlets and El Corte Inglés
Waterproof Handbag
Photo Source: Longchamp
No matter how hard I try, I can go through life without a handbag. Yes, I’ve already left the house with nothing but a couple of essentials in my pockets… it feels weird.
For my 35th birthday, I purchased a small Longchamp Le Pliage bag. And it’s the one I wear when it’s raining outside (or there’s a chance of rain).
I love that it’s a lightweight and incredibly versatile waterproof handbag. Perfect for carrying my essentials to the office, when I am running errands, or when I go to the gym.
However, on cold (non-rainy) days, I’ve been wearing my small A.P.C. Grace bag a lot this Winter. Mainly because it’s a crossbody, compact but with enough space for my belongings, and it has different compartments to organize my things.
How have I been wearing it? With jeans and a dark blue Winter coat.
