My personal Winter essentials list

All I want for the winter is Youuuu

Mariah Carey has officially begun to defrost a few weeks ago, which can only mean one thing: Winter is coming.

The cold months are around the corner, bringing with them a slower rhythm, thicker layers, that familiar craving for warmth, both literal and emotional.

This post is a little different. Not a reflection on style or trends, but something more personal: my winter essentials.

Because everyone’s wardrobe tells a different story of climate, lifestyle, personality, and mood.

I’m not here to tell you what your essentials “should” be. I’m simply opening my own closet and letting you in.

The first impression

Every winter story begins with a coat.

In France, I have two timeless black ones waiting for me. But here in Japan, my coats are colorful.

Maybe because winter skies can be so grey that I need a touch of red, pink or yellow to keep me smiling.

The truth is a coat is never “just” a coat; it’s the first chapter of your outfit, your first impression, your armor.

Whether it’s a Thursday night cocktail, a Saturday shopping spree, or an ordinary Tuesday morning, it always sets the tone.

(And if you want to dive deeper into my love affair with outerwear, read “The Power of a Great Coat.”)

The comfort that ages well

I own a pullover that has been with me for more than fifteen years.

Black, long, with bat sleeves. It holds this special softness only possible to gain from time and memories. It’s the kind of piece you know you’ll have to say goodbye to one day, but you really don’t want to.

When I wear it, I feel immediately like myself. It makes me feel calm, grounded, a little nostalgic.

That’s what I look for in knitwear: not perfection, but longevity.

Good wool, cashmere, or a mix that feels soft on the skin and strong enough to last for years. That’s my definition of a true knit romance. The one I enjoy sipping my coffee with while watching Tokyo rain on the other side of the window.

The magic of invisible

Here’s my secret weapon: Uniqlo’s Heattech long sleeves and socks.

(No, this isn’t a collaboration, just real life.)

They’re thin, discreet, and incredibly effective. I wear them under blouses, sweaters, or dresses when I want to feel warm without looking bulky. Because let’s be honest, no matter how stylish your outfit is, it’s hard to feel elegant when you’re freezing. Cold is the one accessory that never flatters anyone.

And when it comes to socks… You probably already know my obsession (if not, read “Socks That Make a Statement.”)

In winter, they’re less about making a statement and more about creating a cocoon.

Wool, cashmere, or Heattech: I choose warmth first, color second.

Little thing matters

A hat, a scarf, gloves. They may sound like accessories, but for me, they’re essentials.

A soft beanie keeps my ears safe on windy days (I’m incredibly sensitive there). Leather gloves protect my hands (and eczema) from the cold.

And the scarf… The scarf is literally the bridge between everything.

It ties together the coat, the bag, the gloves, the outfit, connecting your outer world and your inner one.

The Bottom Line

Winter fabrics are like comfort food for the wardrobe: wool, velvet, anything that makes you feel hugged by your clothes.

And yes. I’m still loyal to my skinny jeans, all year long. No apologies.

On my feet, it’s always boots. Ankle or high, they are practical yet powerful.

The spritz of style

No outfit, even the coziest one, feels complete without perfume.

In winter, mine becomes my invisible coat. A few spritzes of “Alien” or “Forbidden”, and I’m instantly in my element ready to face the world, or just the cold.

And of course, a big tartan-patterned bag that carries everything I need (and probably more than I should).

Oh, and one more essential: a hot chocolate!

Because sometimes, style isn’t about what you wear; it’s about the warmth you create around you.

At the end of the day, essentials are never really about fashion. They’re about feeling at home in your own skin, no matter the season.

Conclusion

Maybe that’s what winter style really is: the art of balancing warmth and refinement, softness and strength.

It’s not about hiding under layers but it’s about choosing the right ones.

The ones that make you feel safe, elegant, and unmistakably « you.”

So yes, my winter essentials might look simple: a wool coat, a strong coffee, and the courage to leave the blanket behind.

But in their simplicity lies everything I love about winter. Quiet confidence, everyday beauty, and that subtle kind of magic that only the cold season brings. Maybe that’s why, no matter how cold it gets, winter always feels a little bit like home.