The Winter Accessories You Need

Don’t let the winter blues bring your fashion sense down. In fact, the season is a time to embrace a runway full of new trends and beef up your wardrobe with accessories and full winter wear — we’re talking scarves, boots, cozy sweaters — all the winter staples that you’ve been missing all year. In case you need a little guidance, we’ve compiled a list of all this year’s must-have accessories.

Blanket Scarf

Ditch the old scarf and embrace the blanket: this year’s new trend in scarf wear. This particular style doubles as — you guessed it — a blanket, making it perfect for those days when you need a little extra layering (or a blanket to wrap up in when the AC’s cranked too high). With twice the material of a normal scarf, the blanket can be styled in a number of ways. You can do a classic loop around the neck, throw it over one shoulder or even style it into a coat.

Puffer Coat

The great news about puffer coats? They never really go out of style. And when winter kicks into high gear, you’ll be glad for the extra padding and puff to snuggle up in. Puffers often get a bad rap for their relative shapelessness and bulk, but a puffer done right is something you can’t afford not to have this year. This year’s runway saw a mix of materials and finishes — from shiny to soft — and colors that give the jacket a little-added edge and add to its fashion cred.

Leggings

We’ll call them jeans comfier cousins — leggings are back and ruling the runways this year. The practical pant is as comfortable as it is smart, making it a must in your winter collection. There’s no limit to the color or materials you can choose from, and it’s an easy way to add a shock of color and spice up an outfit with little effort required. Choose wool or even cashmere for a material that will keep you warm throughout the season.

Playful Socks

We all know the first thing to lose heat is the feet, so keep them warm this season with customized socks. Though they may not seem like the most exciting accessory, you can make them your own by using your own designs to decorate your socks. Simply create your own fully-customizable design and send it to Stance.com, where their high-tech laser print will bring the graphics you love to life on your pair of socks. It’s a great way to ensure your style is one-of-a-kind — right down to your feet. Hint: You can also customize a pair of socks for a fun gift for a friend—Christmas is right around the corner after all, and this puts an awesome spin on an age-old gift idea.

Boots

Boots are a definite must to make it through the winter, and they come in enough variety to please all kinds of styles. For the days you’ll be trucking through the snow and ice, you’ll want a rainproof, lace up boot like the classic duck boot, designed for heavy-duty weather days. Other times, you’ll need to add a little class with a nice knee-high or ankle bootie for a night out or a day at the office. Either way, boots are designed to keep warmth in and the elements out, and are a staple in a winter wardrobe that never goes out of style. Check out Steve Madden’s winter collection and find fantastic footwear to keep your tootsies protected from the cold.

Oversized Sweater

These days, sweaters come in one size: oversized. And we couldn’t be happier about it. The oversized, cozy sweater is the perfect mix of comfortable and cool, and will ensure you look the part while staying prepared to face the elements. They range in sizes from mid-thigh to knees, and go pair perfectly with other must-haves like leggings and boots. 

So remember ladies, winter doesn’t have to mean saying goodbye to your fashion sense. All you have to do is embrace the finer details and add a few of these accessories to your closet for a revamped winter wardrobe that screams style.