I’m a Fashion Editor—I’ve Assembled the 6 Winter Staples Every Wardrobe Needs

As much as Who What Wear loves to keep up with the latest trends, there are times when following what’s “new” can feel like a never-ending marathon. While we’re always on the lookout for names to know, burgeoning designers and new outfit inspiration, there’s also the equally important need for a carefully curated arsenal of timeless wardrobe staples, particularly in winter. How can you survive those bitter-cold days without a few key pieces that you can rely on year after year?

When the temperatures drop, it can be all too easy to lean on the same outfit over and over, but there is a way to make simple classics feel fresh and even recyclable until spring. It all comes down to investing in versatile basics that are premium quality and have a slight fashion edge, and there’s one shopping destination that manages to tick every box.

NET-A-PORTER’s latest winter drop is full of pieces you’ll want to wear over and over again and that will serve as the building blocks for countless cold-weather outfits. Whether you’re a neutral minimalist whose wardrobe specialises in shades of grey, cream and camel or an experimental maximalist who loves vibrant pops of colour, a thoughtful edit of pieces that can be mixed and matched is a wise investment for winter.

After scrolling though thousands of items in NET-A-PORTER’s new-in and winter edits, we’ve found the right pieces for the job from some of our favourite designers including The Row, Acne, Vince and Totême. We’ve thought long and hard about which pieces will work the hardest for you this season and pulled out six key buys that will benefit any wardrobe. Some might be the key items you’ll already own such as roll-necks and midi skirts, but you can also bring your wardrobe bang up to date with some of 2022’s biggest trends. (That means you, knee-high boot.) After all, just because it’s cold outside doesn’t you mean you have to spend the next three months in boring outfits. So keep scrolling to see and shop our pick of the six winter staples guaranteed to elevate all of our wardrobes this season. You won’t regret it.

There’s one good thing about a chilly winter, and that’s investing in a new winter coat. A good coat will not only keep you warm but also add polish to any outfit, so when looking for the one, keep an eye out for quality fabrications and flattering silhouettes that will go with everything. In our opinion, you can never go wrong with longline styles in cashmere, faux fur and wool.

There’s nothing more luxurious than an ultra-soft cashmere coat.

Snuggle up in toasty shearling to keep the cold at bay.

There’s something about the double-breasted cut and cream colourway that makes this coat feel impossibly chic.

A belted coat never goes out of style, and here’s the proof.

When going up against a cold front, there’s no better hero piece than the vastly underrated turtleneck sweater. Although they tend to sit quietly at the back of your wardrobe, always reliable but not quite as exciting as, say, a sequined dress, a chunky turtleneck is the versatile piece with the ability to add the It factor to any ensemble. A black, fine knit will layer under just about any shirt, dress or blazer, but we also love a slouchy, oversized knit to wear on its own with a pair of straight-leg jeans.

The easiest knit to pair with everything in your wardrobe.

A splash of colour and print to brighten up black leggings or classic blue jeans.

Our obsession with scarf detailing continues. First it was the scarf coat, and now it’s the scarf knit.

We can’t discuss elegant seasonal dressing without mentioning Totême. It’s the fashion-editor go-to for cosy staples.

The easy midi skirt is one of the few styles that can be layered up or stripped back depending on the season. While we wore cotton and slip skirts all summer, as the temperatures drop, we’re reaching for the leather and wool styles that will keep us cosy and the velvet and satin styles that are perfect for party season.

Just add a fine knit jumper and a tall boot, and you’ve got an office-ready outfit that’s as warm as it is stylish.

There’s a matching knit to pair with this skirt, so you can master head-to-toe monochrome with one easy co-ord.

Winter means party season, and a skirt like this will see you through the Christmas party, New Year’s Eve and, of course, date night.

It wouldn’t feel like Christmas without velvet, and this would work perfectly with a chunky knit for a refined take on the Christmas jumper outfit.

If there’s one item that the Who What Wear editors have been wearing since the transition to autumn, it’s a chic knit dress. With the timeless style carrying on into winter, we know we can rely on classic black dresses paired with knee-high boots or understated neutrals dressed up with sandals. This cosy piece is ideal for getting us through every winter occasion from work to the weekend to evening drinks.

Whether you’re cosied up indoors or heading out for the day, a cashmere dress is always a good idea.

An easy dress to style up for evening with heels or wear casually in the day with a chunky loafer and fluffy coat.

Colour! Cuffs! And ruched waist! We’d expect no less attention to detail from Ulla Johnson.

The holy grail of knit dressing—in fact, all winter dressing. The Row’s simple, understated designs never fail to look elegant.

There’s something about a tall boot that instantly elevates any outfit, and for that reason, knee-high boots are easily our favourite breakthrough boot trend of 2022. Although they’ve never officially been out of style, this year is most certainly the year that long boots have dominated the runways, street style and the high street, and it stands to reason that this fashionable and functional style would stand the test of time. Whether glossy leather or matte suede, worn with trousers or a miniskirt, they’re guaranteed to protect you against the cold in style.

This French-meets-Western style is the ideal boot to tuck a pair of black jeans into.

Forget sandals—these are the only heels we want to wear this winter.

The low, comfortable heel makes these perfect for everyday wear.

A “nearly” knee boot that falls around mid-calf for those dressing a maxi hemline.

No matter your style or budget, good outfits always come down to styling, and one of the easiest ways to stay warm and look good is with the simple addition of an oversized, fluffy scarf. Whether artfully wrapped, knotted, or belted, an elegant scarf is the finishing touch that can make a simple outfit feel put together, and with an array of colours, embellishments, logos and cult favourites to choose from, you’re never short on ways to mix and match.