44 Best Winter Layering Essentials For 2025

Brr… winter is slowly encroaching. Which makes this the perfect time of year to sort through your closet and check to see if you’re fully stocked up on your fall and winter layering essentials.

To make sure you’re 100% prepared for the dropping temps, we worked with our Wantable Stylists to round up a list of the 44 best winter layering essentials that can help transition you from the chilly fall days into the dead of winter.

top photo: @thecoffeelover.mama

Winter Layering Essentials

Keep scrolling to get the low-down on our stylist recommended winter layering essentials! Consider this your friendly reminder to stretch out your thumbs – this list is a long one filled but it’s filled with lots of goodies.

1. Sherpa Jacket
2. Bright Sweater
3. Light-Weight Puffer Jacket
4. Long Cozy Cardigan
5. Plaid Flannel Shirt
6. Chunky Knit Scarf
7. Shacket
8. Vegan Leather Jacket
9. Oversized Turtleneck Sweater
10. Graphic Sweatshirt
11. Comfy Leggings

1. Sherpa Jacket

Your denim jacket may have been a great spring and summer staple, but add some sherpa detailing and it becomes a great fall and winter layering essential! The snuggly sherpa fabric adds an extra layer of warmth and cozy winter vibes to your cold-weather outfit.

Wantable Stylist, Marina D. recommends the Thread & Supply One Track Mind Sherpa Jacket. “It’s is great for the cold weather because it’s ultra-plush with two decently sized pockets,” says Marina. “The neutral pattern keeps things interesting while maintaining its versatile charm.”

2. Bright Sweater

Just because the winter brings shorter, darker days doesn’t mean that your wardrobe has to get darker too! While you generally see lots of muted and neutral colors in the colder seasons, you can add some sunshine to your winter days with brightly colored sweaters. Perk: These brighter hues transition beautifully into Spring too!

3. Lightweight Puffer Jacket

A lightweight puffer jacket to withstand the fluctuating cold-weather temperatures is hands down a winter layering must-have. Take it on hikes, walks with the pup, or errand runs for extra warmth that won’t weigh you down.

4. Long Cozy Cardigan

A long and cozy cardigan is a cold-weather staple. Slightly oversized and oh-so-cozy, it’ll feel like you’re stepping out wrapped up in your favorite blanket (without looking like it, of course). Layer over a v-neck and wear with some cute boots for an instant Insta-worthy outfit.

“This animal print cardigan is a fun yet classic print,” said Expert Stylist, Lauren F. “It can easily be dressed up or down, whether you pair it with denim or even over a dress.”

5. Plaid Flannel Shirt

Plaid flannel is an off-duty favorite, and it’s super easy to style. Whether you’re tying it around your waist, front-tucking it into jeans, or wearing over leggings, the plaid flannel shirt has been and will always be a winter layering wardrobe staple.

“For a chillier day where you maybe want extra layers, an unbuttoned flannel over a long sleeve might not be enough,” says Wantable Style Team Lead, Kaitlyn M. “Throw on a solid colored vest or shacket for an extra layer of warmth. Think solid – pattern – solid to not overwhelm your outfit with too many patterns in one look.”

6. Chunky Knit Scarf

A chunky knit scarf is the ultimate essential for cold-weather clothing. It not only adds functionality on chilly days, but also serves as a great winter layering accessory to complete your cozy outfit. I can’t help but hide my entire face in a chunky scarf on a windy day!

7. Shacket

A shacket can be easily layered over any top or t-shirt to create a pulled-together, polished-but-effortless look. Shackets are perfect for weekends where you need to transition from pilates to brunch to errands. P.s. If you’re new to this trend and wondering “what is a shacket?” Let our stylists save the day with the low-down on this winter and fall layering essential.

8. Vegan Leather Jacket

Despite being thin, vegan leather jackets are surprisingly warm, and they add a bit of edge to your ensemble. Layer a modern moto over a basic top for an instant cool factor.

9. Oversized Turtleneck Sweater

Don’t you just love the thought of cozying up by a fireplace in a warm, oversized turtleneck sweater? Oversized turtleneck outfits are the perfect example of fashion meeting comfort. You can’t survive winter without one!

10. Graphic Sweatshirt

For those days where pulling together a fully dressed-up outfit seems like too much work, a simple graphic sweatshirt will come to rescue over-and-over again. Pair this cozy, statement piece with your favorite pair of jeans, and you’re ready to go out the door!

 11. Comfy Leggings

You simply cannot survive winter (or any season for that matter) without a solid pair of comfy black leggings. Their versatility makes them the ultimate winter layering piece to pair with oversized sweatshirts, tailored sweaters, cardigans, dresses…you name it!

Winter layering can be an art, and doing it well can be a little daunting. That’s where we come in! Wantable Stylists are on stand by and eager to help you build a winter wardrobe that’s easy to layer on the fly.

Take the Style Quiz today to sign up for your Wantable Edit, and leave a note for your stylist that you’d like help with winter layering. We’ll take it from there!