Did you know that the average American family spends about four percent of their total income every year on clothing? Depending on the amount of total money your household brings in, that figure could add up to thousands of dollars throughout the course of the year.

One way that you can cut back on your expenses for clothing items is by creating capsule wardrobes, or collections of reusable pieces to wear every season. These can be dependent on many factors, including your own personal style and the weather.

Would you like to put together a functional winter capsule wardrobe that is both cozy and good looking? Here are nine ways that you can take your winter fashion and beauty looks to a whole new level.

1. Use Fashionable Layers

When temperatures dip in most places during the fall and winter, it is vital that you have clothes for the colder weather. However, arranging your clothes into layers does not mean that you have to appear puffy or bulky in order to stay warm.

When shopping for your capsule wardrobe, be sure to pick up many different types of layers, including camisoles and tank tops, blouses, and staple long sleeves for your tops, as well as cardigans, jackets, and outer coats to wear over your main ensemble. That way, you can easily mix and match for many different combinations.

If you need to wear layers, you should remember a few keys for creating the best look, like putting layers together with similar colors. You should also try to maintain thin layers and have one thicker item for warmth, which will usually be the topcoat.

2. Collect Some Simple Classics

To avoid having to buy new clothes every season to keep up with the latest fashion trends, you should try to include timeless pieces in your collection. Some styles will never go out of fashion and will look good with many different types of outfits and ensembles.

For the winter months, you can never go wrong with a handful of good cardigans. You can switch up the material for a lighter or more stated look, depending on how warm you want to be. For more warmth, try a chunky knit number that is heavier, or you can wear a light wool piece as an accessory.

If you want a more formal look, try picking up a classic black blazer that is tailored and cut to your shape. This staple can be paired with skirts or slacks for professional occasions or a pair of jeans for a more casual and streamlined look.

3. Keep Your Hair Healthy and Moisturized

When you put together your looks for the winter season, you should focus on other aspects of your appearance besides your clothing. Your hair is just as important to ensure that you look fashionable and beautiful for all of your events and functions.

Because the air tends to be much drier during the winter months, you should take extra care to keep it healthy so that it does not become dull. If you find your hair not absorbing the moisture or nutrients it should, you should try to start using hair vitamins, which contain the specific vitamins and minerals that your strands need to thrive.

You can also use products that you apply directly to your hair in order to moisturize your scalp, like deep conditioner or hydrating serum. Try to avoid extremely hot showers and heated tools, as they tend to dry out and damage your hair even more.

4. Have a Good Skincare Routine

Just like the hair, your skin tends to become much drier during the winter season, especially if you live somewhere that temperatures drop drastically. Therefore, you should ensure that your skin is smooth and supple to create a glowing look.

Avoiding hot showers will do wonders for your hair, and it will also greatly reward your skin and help to keep it from drying out quickly. Rinsing with lukewarm or even cool water will help your skin cells to preserve their natural moisture.

Apply a moisturizing lotion in the morning and before you go to bed at night, as it will work best after you wash your face. The moisturizer will lock in the water droplets that hydrate your skin and keep your face looking radiant even in the coldest winter weather.

5. Buy Colors That Go Together

For a great winter capsule wardrobe 2020, you should focus your attention on purchasing colors that are compatible with each other. This will help you keep your clothing down to a minimum and form many different outfits out of a few pieces from the same color palette.

Some classic colors that go together include neutrals, like browns, blacks, grays, and whites,  and softer toned shades. To add a touch of the winter festive season to your outfits, try incorporating rich reds, greens, or blues that will upgrade your style to another level.

Even if you have flashier style and you want to formulate your wardrobe around brighter shades, then you can still find pieces that go together as well. You can use the bolder or patterned elements as statements to go with the more neutral tones of the rest of your outfit.

6. Get Clothes for All Temperatures

Whether you invest in a 50 piece or a 10 piece winter capsule wardrobe, you should make sure that you buy clothing items suitable for all types of weather. When choosing your winter capsule wardrobe, you should pick items of varying degrees of warmth.

For instance, if you live somewhere that has snowstorms and subzero temperatures during the winter months, then you should opt for an insulated winter coat to protect yourself, as well as a good pair of boots. If you reside in the southern part of the country, you may be able to get away with an all-purpose winter jacket.

A great way to achieve layers for winter clothing is by staples like thin, long-sleeved shirts and leggings that you wear alone or underneath your pants. This way, you will be prepared for any type of weather and not be caught off guard by drastic temperature changes.

7. Invest in Better Quality

If you are looking for a winter wardrobe that withstands the test of time, then you should research pieces that are of better quality. Although these types of clothes usually tend to be more expensive, they also last much longer and may be worth the investment.

For example, buying an expensive winter coat that has a guarantee to last many years might be smarter than one that will only last one or two seasons. Make sure when purchasing items with higher prices that you look into what brands are the most durable and worth the money you spend.

Another piece to invest in is your footwear. You may think it better to purchase a new pair of shoes every six months to a year, but by putting in the money upfront, you can end up saving money in the long run with a good pair of boots for many winters to come.

8. Avoid Multiple Shopping Trips

When you add to your winter capsule wardrobe, you should try not to make too many shopping trips. With one trip, you can avoid the hassle of worrying about which clothing items go together or how much you will be spending total.

Ideally, you should try to only go shopping once every season and pick up your essential items. That way, you can avoid buying too many clothes, and assess what you have when you put your clothes away at the end of the winter season.

If you find pieces in your wardrobe that no longer fit, you can make more room for the next season's shopping trip. Try to do this every season so that you can always have your few key pieces that work together.

9. Never Underestimate Accessories

Accessories are an important part of any winter look, and you should make sure to get items that work well with your winter capsule wardrobe. Apply all of the other guidelines, such as timelessness and color scheme, to your accessories and they should be a hit.

The accessories you choose can also be multi-functional, as items like scarves, hats, and gloves can also keep you warm during the coldest season of the year. Many stores have color-coordinated sets that are made of the same material so you can coordinate.

To shake up your look, try adding a fun belt with your coat that people can see even in the cold weather. Statement jewelry can also completely change the look of an outfit easily.

Building a Winter Capsule Wardrobe Can Be Easy

You do not need to spend a great deal of time or money to assemble a good winter capsule wardrobe. With these tricks, you will be able to make beautiful looks for many years to come.

Want to know more about capsule clothing? If you would like to learn more about putting together a great wardrobe and other fashion tips, you can check out our blog for answers to all of your questions.