Welcome back winter. I am excited to see you again. This time of year is when everyone is bundling up. For fashion experts, it is a season to challenge their creativity. This challenge is to create versatile looks from the winter essentials they have accumulated over the years. 

The essentials are a foundation. They are building blocks to a concrete wardrobe. Your investment in the essential pieces will determine the stability of your outfits. If you have a solid foundation, the easier it will be to intertwine current trends into your style. To begin building a strong foundation, I recommend these six winter essentials: trench coat, blazer, denim jacket, hoodie, sweater, and white dress shirt. 

Using the winter essentials, you should be able to layer and create several looks. Layering is a technique used by many stylists to enhance an outfit. This technique brings out an individual’s uniqueness and expands their creative freedom. Winter is the best time to focus on regenerating our winter staples by layering. 

Here are some layering tips for the season: 

1. For streetwear attire, combine the hoodie with either a trench coat, blazer, or denim jacket. Pair it with skinny jeans and sneakers so you will have a casual but striking outfit. 
2. Dress up the winter classics by matching the trench coat with a blazer. Belt the blazer and put on a pair of trousers. This look will give a classy and sophisticated vibe. 
3. The belted look is a lifesaver. It cinches the waistline giving an effortless appearance. Not only can you belt the blazer, but you can add a belt to the trench coat and dress shirt. My favorite right now is the belted denim jacket. 
4. Next, since the white dress shirt can go with anything, you can dress it up or down based on your outwear. I love wearing the dress shirt underneath an oversized sweater or sweater vest. 

With these four simple tips, I challenge you to buy only three to four new winter pieces this year. Create updated looks from what you already have and let your creative mind soar. Remember, less is more and quality over quantity. I hope this winter treats you well. Although it will get colder, you will continuously spread the warmth and be gentle with yourselves. Thank you for reading, and I will see you in my next post. 

Photo Edits: Lisa Phan

With love, 

Thy Phan