Everyone should have these 5 closet essentials in their wardrobe and on frequent rotation every winter. This is why these timeless designer brand upgrades are worth the investment. If you have been working on your wardrobe, this is the time of year to get your winter workhorse staples. If you can get them all great! The sooner you have them, the more winters you will be able to enjoy them. If not, take a clue from years gone by and try to “add to cart” those pieces that you will wear the most. Remember quality name-brand pieces are the secret to selling a high-low look. Get these 3 high-low staples to start. This winter watch a Burberry Trench transform a $20 dress and a Moncler puffer to perfect your celebrity street-style look when worn over a basic GAP sweatsuit. Be your closet’s secret Santa and upgrade the hoop earrings you wear all the time, pull the trigger on a timeless designer bag you can take as your plus one to any holiday party, and step into comfort and style in a pair of beautiful designer boots. If you know then you know. These 5 pieces are an upgrade worth the investment.

1 | UPGRADE YOUR WINTER WARDROBE WITH A BURBERRY COAT

Trademarked by its famous nova check print Burberry has been in business since 1856. Because of its functionality and ability to withstand bad weather, Burberry has been worn in battle and by explorers, yet is fashionable enough to be worn by famous celebrities. You can see how I would style a classic Burberry trench over a stylish sweatsuit in this post. A Burberry coat is also key to packing light because It’s one layering piece you can wear en route and with all the outfits in your suitcase from a dress to leggings. As with most European brands consider sizing up for the best US fit.

Burberry Kingston Heritage Trench

I recommend the mid or long style because they will still work well over dressier outfits.

Single Breasted Styles

These single-breasted styles have a more relaxed fit and may work better on you if you’re broad or busty.

2| UPGRADE YOUR WINTER WARDROBE WITH A MONCLER PUFFER

Fashion meets function in this Swiss-born brand’ cozy closet essentials. Their motto is “born in the mountains living in the city”. You can see this translated in their versatile array of durable down fashion styles. I don’t ski, but might consider it, if I had one. Right away I’d style mine with leather leggings and a cozy cashmere sweater or jeans, cool boots, and a beanie. You can be confident you’re spending money on a quality product that has been responsibly sourced. Moncler performed 454 audits between 2019-2021 that ensure people and animals were protected. You can shop Saks’s full women’s offerings or at Nordstom’s. These are 6 of my favorite luxury sportswear silhouettes available now.

3 | UPGRADE YOUR WINTER WARDROBE WITH BEAUTIFUL BOOTS

A beautiful pair of well-crafted leather boots always feels and looks good. Choose a style that will give you more miles with what you wear the most often. My stylist tip is to pick a pair that is fitted to your foot. I shared several examples in this blog post BOOT OUTFITS | WHICH STYLES GO THE BEST WITH WHAT YOU’RE WEARING THIS WINTER. My favorite fitted boots are usually from name brands made in Italy or Spain. They consistently make a feminine silhouette on top of a quality leather sole footbed.

Rag & Bone Rover

The Rag & Bone “Rover” was part of the Nordstrom 6 October Drop and is a follower favorite for its comfortable 1.5″ heel, almond-shaped toe, and elasticized shaft that makes it dressy enough to wear with a skirt or dress.

Stilettos

High-Low Outfit

A stiletto heel boot with around a 3″ heel is so versatile. These fitted styles work well with matching tights to keep your lower half warm while maintaining a sexy leg line with skirts and dresses. The heels are modest enough to not be taken so seriously when tucked up under a pair of cropped jeans like the styles I shared here.

Red Bottom Boots

If you can get your hands on a pair of Christian Louboutin boots with their signature red bottoms I give you the green light to go for it!

4 | UPGRADE YOUR WINTER WARDROBE WITH A DESIGNER BAG

A designer handbag is the best investment piece and one that you can literally wear every day.

The YSL camera bag and Loulou small chain bag in quilted “y” leather are the most popular bags I suggest. Get a side-by-side look at them here on Instagram. They’re a great size and have color and hardware combinations that work with any style aesthetic. These 4 styles are especially nice in the winter because they can go day to night so easily. Read my roundup of The Best Bag brands A-Z here. Before you buy consider the 4 L’s.

YSL Day-Night Winter Favorites

5 | UPGRADE YOUR WINTER WARDROBE WITH QUALITY HOOP EARRINGS

Hoops are an earring that can stand alone or play well with other accessories. These 1.5″silver David Yurman hoops have been a staple of mine for years. I probably wear them more than any other item I own. They have been in every photo shoot I’ve ever done for my blog. If you prefer a dainty hoop there is a 1″ size or if you love large-scale accessories these 2.5″ hoops may be the ones for you.

Silver Hoops

Gold Hoops

These 14k gold hoops are light as a feather.

Two-Tone Hoops

My favorite color category and a jewelry capsule every style needs is two-tone. Layer all the pieces in a two-tone set, or use them as glue to connect other color stories.