If you've read our article on How to Style for Winter, you already understand how important it is to layer different winter clothes - not only to look amazing but also to stay warm in extreme cold weather like the one in Canada.
The next obvious question is: what are the must-have winter clothes for women in 2025-26?
We've all been in that situation where you have a pile of clothes in front of you, but don't know which one is the right piece to wear. We get it. This happens because you're not focusing on basic winter wardrobe essentials first.
In this article, we'll cover what essential winter clothes mean, which items you actually need, and answer a few common questions - so that the next time you're getting ready for winter, instead of feeling confused, you'll feel excited and confident to step out in style.
Table of Content
- What Essential Winter Clothes Mean?
- What Are The Basic Wardrobe Essentials for Winter 2025-26?
- Sweaters
- Hoodies
- Cardigans
- Coats
- Thermals
- Jeans
- Pants
- Gloves
- Toque / Beanies / Hats
- Scarves
- Bonus Essential
- Summery
What Essential Winter Clothes Mean?
The important thing here is that essential clothing varies for everyone depending on their styling goals, work, and local weather conditions. For example, someone living in extremely cold weather will require multiple thick essential pieces compared to people living in a milder climate.
However, there are a few must-have clothing items for women to stay warm and stylish in winter - all you need to do is tweak them according to your goals, style, or weather. Here are the winter clothes must-haves for 2025-26.
What Are The Basic Wardrobe Essentials for Winter 2025-26?
1. Sweaters
Sweaters bring cozy and warm memories to mind. They are generally worn as a mid-layer during winters.
You can wear them with a cardigan, buttons-up shirt, or a trench coat, depending on whether you're going for a casual vibe or a formal one. A sweater paired with denim jeans and winter boots is one of the most common women's winter outfit in Canada.
Sweaters allow you to play with colors patterns and fabrics such as cable-knit, double-knit to make a unique outfit when combined with other neutral clothing pieces.
2. Hoodies
A hoodie is one of the first things on any woman's winter outfits idea list, and there is a reason for it - it's coziness and comforting warmth.
You can either go with a regular-fit hoodie if you're layering, or wear only a loose-fit hoodie for that casual look. But one thing is clear - hoodies are a lifesaver when you don't have time to plan your outfit from a myriad of winter options.
As a mid-layer, it is partially hidden under the outer layer. Despite that, you can still play with patterns and colors to express your unique personality through a hoodie this season.
3. Cardigans
Cardigans are a staple in Canadian women's winter wardrobe collection. They are created to provide you warmth while keeping your look cozy and casual, whether you are in indoors or outdoors.
Recently, cardigans with floral embroidery have become popular among women for their comforting and cute vibes. You can also explore button-up, cropped, or floral-style cardigans.
During mild cold weather, cardigans can serve as an outer layer, making the type of cardigan you choose a key statement piece in your outfit.
4. Coats
As an outer layer, coats are the first thing people notice about your winter season outfit. They not only protect you against environmental elements like wind, snow, and rain but also set the overall tone of your look.
You can opt for a wool trench coat for a class and sleek appearance, or you can go for an oversized puffer jacket for more casual and relaxed look.
Since most people own only one or two quality coats, it's a good idea to choose neutral colors like black, grey, beige - as they pair effortlessly with multiple winter outfits without clashing.
5. Thermals
A thermal is the unsung hero of winter clothing. As a base layer, it wicks away your sweat, keeps you dry, and locks in your body heat - all while being completely invisible under your outfit.
A thermal isn't an essential piece - it's a mandatory one if you live in an extreme cold weather.
Unlike other winter essentials, thermals are not visible to others and don't contribute much to your outfit's styling, but they make a huge difference in comfort. So, any neutral shades like black, beige, white - they work seamlessly under any outfit.
6. Jeans
Jeans are a go-to winter essential because of their versatility and effortless styling. Having just one black, one dark blue, and one light blue pair is enough to create endless outfit combinations that look cohesive throughout the winter.
They are durable and easy to maintain. When made from thick denim, they offer great insulation against the cold.
You can create a casual look with an oversized hoodie, or a sleek, chic look with a sweater or a button-up shirt.
7. Pants
Let's not forget working outfits. A wide-leg pant or a tailored trouser paired with a flowy shirt instantly gives the professional and polished look you want at your work.
For nights out, leather pants styled with a leather top and puffer jacket creates a bold and confident vibe - perfect for parties or girls' night out.
If you're going for a sporty or laid-back look, leggings with a puffer jackets are your best bet for comfort and style.
8. Gloves
No matter how good your outfit is, having cold hands is never fun. Just like coats, they protect your hands against environmental elements such as cold, rain, and snow - and the difference becomes more noticeable the longer you stay outside.
Investing in quality insulated gloves or mittens always pays off in the long run.
When it comes to fabric, you have several options: leather, wool, or fleece. While wool and fleece gloves give off a casual and cozy vibes, leather gloves add a classy, sophisticated touch.
Stick to neutral colors like black, grey, or dark brown - as they easily blend with almost any winter look.
9. Toques / Beanies / Hats
Toques or beanies keep your head warm while adding a touch of style to your winter outfit.
If your outfit is completely neutral or lacks a statement piece, you can use a bright-colored toque or a patterned toque to introduce a pop of personality in your outfit without overpowering the rest of your look.
10. Scarves
A Scarf creates a pocket of warm air around your neck, keeping you warm. It might be the most underrated winter clothing piece on this winter must-have list.
Many people simply skip scarves, ignoring their importance. However, the fact that many are skipping them also means that just incorporating a scarf in your outfit sets you apart from the rest.
Just like Toques, you can go for neutral colors or bright shades to make it a statement piece.
Bonus essential
We went through an exhaustive list of 10 must-have winter clothes for women in 2025. But the list is still incomplete without one item that so many people ignore or don't count. That is: sunglasses.
People associate sunglasses with summer so strongly that they often forget about them in winter. However, the white color of snow reflects almost all the sunlight back. As a result, when you go outside in the snow, your eyes are exposed to a huge amount of reflected light.
That's why sunglasses are essential for winter outdoor activities like snowboarding, skiing, and ice skating - they protect your eyes while adding a chic touch to your winter outfit.
Summery
We covered all the winter must-have clothing items for women so that the next time you go shopping, you know exactly what you need to buy and don't get overwhelmed by the options.
Now, that you know what items to buy, you should also learn about the different types of winter fabrics so that you can choose clothing made from the right kind of material that's suitable for the cold. We have covered it in this article.
