Suddenly, it feels like winter. Gone are the days when I could quickly nip out of the house without a jacket or a considerable amount of knitwear, and it’s time my puffer coat was taken out of storage to be put back into work. It’s not technically “winter” until December 21, but many of us in the team are eagerly counting down the days until it’s appropriate to wear our Arket beanies once more. My boot collection has been finally unboxed again, ready for action. The tights are on, the layers are piling up, and I’m 100% here for it all. And while I’m not one to endlessly buy new items every time a season rolls around, I do enjoy looking at new-in winter items—a lot. It takes a great deal of research to find the best coat or chicest cold-weather dress. There are so many different jumpers out there that it’s actually overwhelming to know where to begin, and that’s where my time spent scrolling will benefit you.
There are a few affordable stores that are embracing all things cosy and doing it very well. Zara, H&M and Mango are teeming with pieces that are warm, expensive looking and chic—aka the types of investment items you can quickly get use out of this winter but also for many winters to come. Below are some long-lasting shopping picks that are classic enough to weave into any year, whatever the trends. Keep scrolling to see the key items I’d recommend from the hundreds and thousands that are currently available…
This story was published at an earlier time and has since been updated. Next up, see our guide to the key trends for autumn/winter 2021