the art of the bundle!
the only way to get through january in NYC is with the right accessories, here is what has been saving me this winter.
This cold weather is NO JOKE. I am so sick of it, but I also feel like I have started to master it. I used to dress so impractically for the cold for the sake of my outfits, but truly there is nothing more miserable than not being dressed correctly for an NYC winter day. So now, I go hard. I layer up. And guess what, I still look cute!!!
COATS!
Both the fun and the KEY of the cold is definitely the COATS!!! I love walking around NYC and seeing what everyone is sporting, there are literally endless fabulous big jackets. I’m obsessed. I have so many coats, but when it is REALLY cold, I actually only find myself reaching for a select few.
A good puffer jacket is simply an essential. I bought my silver one on The Real Real right before the low temps hit because I really didn’t have a good one before that. This one really does the trick of being cool and cute, but actually keeping me warm! Here are a few good ones I’ve found that are similar/I also would pull the trigger on! Puffers are a great item to get secondhand…
The next category is the big, long, WARM, trench. I have two that I gravitate towards. My mom just left this big fuzzy blanket of a trench with me when she left NYC last week and it has become my new go to. Of course she found it at Zara for $80…I also LOVE my hot pink trench. It’s heavy and warm with room to layer under, but also is a great fun eye catching statement piece. These kind of coats really ARE the outfit, but you can still fit a completely different outfit under them, if you get what I’m saying?! Here are some similar vibes of options. - these two are unfortunately sold out everywhere (BTW the Outnet always has the best Stand Studios Coats for half offfffff!!)
And then obviously last but not least, a good faux fur. I actually don’t have a good everyday faux fur that I wear as much as the ones above, but I rotate these ones more for night out or when I want to dress up a bit during the day. The below is my current fave, which I found at the Grand Bazaar flea market in NYC!!! I think these types of coats are best found vintage - flea markets, Madison Ave Furs (I’ve seen on the internet lately and want to check out), ebay, poshmark, etc! There are also a ton of affordable faux furs from Gap, Mango, etc, but I just feel like EVERYONE and their mother has the same one, and you can find for the same price or even better secondhand.
HATS! SCARVES! GLOVES!
Look no further, you only need ONE scarf, trust me on this one. This singular scarf has literally gotten me through the winter. J Crew always hits - comes in so many colors and genuinely WORTH the price. I love that it is oversized so you can wear it as a wrap, great for travel too. I have actually worn this every single day for the past month. I have a lot of fun, colorful scarves too, but I find that this black one is just easy, warm, and goes with everything. (you can see me bundled up in it below :))
Let’s talk hats!! You guys absolutely LOVED the Missoni beanies I posted on Monday, these are such a great fun piece to spice up your winter looks. I also have been loving my plain, cashmere beanies that I got as samples from when I was working at Bloomie’s lol. These are the best - love a simple, cashmere hat that keeps you warm and goes with everything. Also, don’t sleep on the hats/scarves/gloves/earmuffs you find on the street of NYC for $15. Sometimes, those just HIT.
I have been getting so many questions on the gloves below - I have to say, these are definitely the best gloves I’ve ever had!!! My cousin got them for me in Long Island from Tsonto Furs - they are extremely fun and functional, I think shoot them a DM if you want a pair. I also LOVE these furry, fingerless ones from Apparis - on sale too! If you want to go for something more chic and sleek, go for these leopard leather ones from J. Crew!
SHOES AND SOCKS!
Can’t forget about the bottom half of the look, specifically our feet, which btw get FREEZING in this weather. The winter is making me sad because I feel like I can’t wear half of my favorite shoes…To be completely honest, I have been wearing my leopard print Uggs almost every day. As much as they feel like slippers, I totally love rocking them outside the house. If I want to brave a loafer or a sneaker, it is CRUCIAL to have a good warm sock. I am obsessed with these cashmere sets from Bombas, they genuinely keep my feet so warm. These ones from J. Crew are also great!
BUILDING THE FIT
I feel like I am really uninspired by winter dressing because it is really difficult to put together a great “LOOK.” Often times, we end up wearing two completely different outfits, whats under the coats and layers, and then the coats and layers…but unfortunately, when it is this cold, this is kind of just how it has to be. Some things that have really helped me in layering:
LONG SLEEVE TEES!!!!! Adding a light longsleeve layer under everything you are wearing is the key to warmth. I also have kind of been loving the little sleeve details that these add to a cozy look. I have a few patterned long sleeves (like this vintage Cavalli leopard print one) that add a fun pop poking out of a sweater. I hate to admit it, but I get a lot of my long sleeves at Brandy Melville…also love this one by DL1961, very elevated and can dress up. This sheer turtleneck from Commando is also great for layering or as a night out winter top.
ELEVATED SWEATPANTS!!!! I definitely have the luxury of being more casual during the day as I don’t go into an office, BUT I know a lot of the girlies in more creative industries also have that flexibility. I have been gravitating towards a elevated sweat pant during these winter days where I just want to be cozy. I got these from L Train for $10 a couple years ago, but you can’t go wrong with an Adidas track pant - consistently cool! Love these colorways linked here. I also liveeee for my gold sparkly Cult Gaia x Gap sweats!
LAYER LAYER LAYER!! BUT HAVE FUN W IT!!! Always throw one more extra layer than you think you need. And throw on some color!! It can get depressing out there, always important to wear an outfit that gives you a little bit of joy!
Hope this was helpful for all of you cold New Yorkers! Stay warm and happy bundling!
XOXO,
Soco