Six Pieces I've Been Living In This Winter
Repeating Outfits, Simplifying My Wardrobe, & Embracing This Season Of Change
It’s been a cold winter here in Atlanta. Although we didn’t get as much snow as last year, this one has definitely been colder. Temperatures have been in the teens and feeling as low as 7 degrees. One of the reasons I left Michigan to come back here wasn’t to escape the cold completely. I actually love the layers, the jackets, the scarves, the boots, all that comes with winter. I moved here because I can deal with the cold, but I can’t deal with the gloominess. Even on the days where the temperatures have been rigid, the sun still shines, which helps a lot, especially with my mental.
I’ve been such a frugal Fran lately. Nobody really talks about having to change your way of life when your pay gets cut or you lose a source of income. I love to shop, going to stores, searching the racks, spending hours online adding to cart. It’s honestly one of my favorite things. But right now, I’m in a season where I need to be mindful of my spending because all of my money is allocated toward expenses. Please don’t feel bad for me, I’m not telling you this for sympathy. I’m sharing because I had to restructure the way I live, and it’s even impacted my fashion choices.
I purged my closet a few months back, so now I only have pieces that I actually care about. This winter, rather than buying a whole new wardrobe, I’ve been repeating and rewearing, and want to know a secret? Nobody cares. That’s the freeing part. I cared more about that than anybody on the outside ever did. Now, I’ll be honest, I did pick up a couple of pieces to add to my collection, but not an entire wardrobe.
I thought it would be nice to share the pieces I’ve been grabbing all winter. These are the items I’ve been obsessed with and wearing nonstop. I haven’t been as active as far as going out for pleasure these days, but I do step out every once in a while. These are pieces I’ve been wearing for work, errands, outings, dates, lounging, church, and everything in between.
CREAM TRENCH COAT
This is a piece I found when I was out shopping with my mom in Dallas. I love throwing this trench coat on with dresses, jeans, and even sweatsuits. If I want to look a little put together, I can throw on this jacket — it can easily be dressed up or down. I do have to be mindful when wearing it because it’s cream and gets dirty easily (I’m actually taking it to the cleaners tomorrow). Nine times out of ten, when I wear this I keep it open and tie the belt in the back.
MULTI-COLORED SCARF
I actually got this from my mom’s closet. I used to wear scarves like this in high school, I had so many colors and styles. A few years ago, I started wearing them again, and they really add an extra pop to any outfit. This one in particular is multi-colored with stripes. On days I don’t know what to wear, I’ll throw on trousers or jeans paired with a turtleneck (any color) and add this scarf. I also pair it with the cream jacket often. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve added this to give a basic outfit some color or dazzle dazzle.
SOFT BUTTER BODYSUITS
I am a bodysuit girly. I love a good bodysuit with sweats or even jeans, they make life so much easier. I found this black bodysuit from Victoria’s Secret, and it’s made of this butter soft material that I’ve been obsessed with. I have them in brown, tan, green, white, and of course black. They’re snug and suck you in in all the right places. I also have the turtleneck version. My favorite part is that they’re thongs, so I can wear them with trousers without worrying about panty lines. At least twice a week when I’m lounging, I throw one on with some wide leg sweats.
BLACK HIGH SQUARE TOE BOOTS
These have been a staple in my closet for a few years now. They’re simple, but a true staple, black square toe boots from Saks Off Fifth. I love wearing these with dresses, skirts, and even leggings. The heel is the perfect height; I can wear them for a 12 hour day and not feel anything. The square toe makes them feel extra chic. I also have them in a light cognac, and they’re just as nice. The gold zipper buckle is a little detail I love too. They hit right below my knee, and I love wearing them with longer skirts where the fabric touches the boot, it does something to me, makes me feel sophisticated lol.
WIDE LEG JEANS
I don’t know when I became obsessed with straight and wide leg jeans. After my surgery, I had to rebuy jeans, and wide leg has been the style I’ve gravitated toward. I can wear these with boots, pumps, or even sneakers. I used to struggle with finding jeans that were long enough, not anymore. I’ve picked up a few pairs from Nordstrom and Fashion Nova, but I’ve been reaching for the Fashion Nova ones more. I have them in light, medium, and dark wash. Most days I don’t even need a belt. Sometimes I cuff them at the bottom to add a little something.
CHUNKY TURTLENECK SWEATER
Sweaters are my favorite part of winter. Normally I’m a cardigan lover, but this year chunky cable knit sweaters have had my heart, especially oversized ones. I pair these with satin skirts a lot, but also with leggings and sneakers or Uggs when I’m running errands. Stripes are always a go to for me, especially in the winter. I like these because depending on the temperature, I might not even need a jacket. I’ve intentionally been buying two sizes up for that oversized cozy feel. The one I’ve been most obsessed with is a tan and black striped sweater from Target.
That’s it for my winter season favorites. It’s crazy that we only have about four weeks of winter left, typically it starts heating up slowly toward the end of February here. My style is evolving, and I’ve been more intentional about grabbing pieces I actually love and see longevity with. Of course, there are always classics I lean on, like skirts with tights or a good dress, but these have been the staples I can’t stop reaching for.
Sometimes I like to keep outfits easy, other times I like to put together a fit that stands out, it just depends on the day and the mood. But this season has taught me that style doesn’t have to mean constantly buying new things. It can look like rewearing what you already love, making simple pieces feel fresh, and learning how to work with what you have. And honestly? There’s something really beautiful about that.
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