Being a stay-at-home mom in the winter can be very isolating. It’s freezing cold, and the thought of dragging your kids out into the slush (after tugging on all their winter gear) is exhausting in and of itself. However, when I was a SAHM mom, I needed to get out of the house at least once a day for my mental sanity. If it wasn’t too cold, we would go to the park (snow gear and all,) I would look for an indoor activity like a children’s museum, or I’d even just take them to the nearest coffee shop for hot chocolate. It seriously helped me get through those long winter months. And as much as I’d like to stay in my pajamas all day (and some days we did!), it also helped to get dressed most days. For this, I created a stay-at-home mom winter capsule wardrobe you can use for winter outfit inspiration. This twelve piece capsule wardrobe is simple yet modern and uses only pieces that are comfortable including soft fabrics and stretchy pants. In my past SAHM capsule wardrobes (I’ve linked them at the bottom of this post!), I’ve shared some tips for dressing chic as a SAHM, and I think those tips are so helpful so I’ve copied them here:
1/ Stick to machine washable fabrics. As much as I love cashmere and silk, they are not practical at all. As a SAHM, your clothes take on a lot of stains (believe me, I know!) and often need to be washed after every wear (don’t worry this gets better as your kids get older!) If your clothes need the extra work of handwashing, you won’t wear them.
2/ Don’t underestimate your accessories. Keep your outfit simple, but add a few cool accessories. This is an easy way to make your outfit feel more thoughtful. Personally, I always notice a mom at the playground with a trendy pair of sunglasses. And don’t forget to add at least one piece of jewelry. Little things like this go a long way.
3/ Forgo anything that’s too tight. If something is too constricting or you’re constantly tugging at it to loosen it, you won’t wear it. Every piece in this capsule was chosen with comfort in mind.
Along with this capsule, I’ve put together thirty outfit ideas – some for really cold days and others for more mild winter days. I live in Chicago where it can get very cold; be sure to add in some base layers if needed!
Stay-At-Home Mom Winter Capsule Wardrobe
Turtleneck // This turtleneck is meant to be a base layer for really cold days. You’ll see in the outfits below that I always combined this turtleneck with snow boots for those days when you need them. These turtlenecks are also a favorite of mine (but some colors have limited stock.)
Sweatshirt // For days I want to be really comfortable, a sweatshirt is always my top of choice. A simple gray option is really versatile, but you could choose a brighter color for a dopamine boost in the wintertime!
Cardigan // A button front cardigan is a nice alternative to a plain sweater. I think one that hits at the hips is more on trend than longer styles, but you do you! I also love wearing red in the winter so that’s the color I chose. Here is a more affordable option. When shopping, look for one that is machine washable!
Sweater // A simple sweater is an obvious winter capsule wardrobe choice, but I particularly love this chocolate brown color. Here is another affordable option that is machine washable.
Black Jeans // Personally, I prefer jeans in winter over leggings – they are thicker and therefore warmer. If comfort is really important to you, look for a pair that has stretch like these.
Elastic Waist Pants // We all need a pair of elastic waist pants for those cold winter days when you can’t fathom wearing anything with buttons and zippers. This pair is really nice and holds up to washing which makes them well worth the price in my opinion. For cold days, add a base layer legging for warmth.
Straight Leg Jeans // A pair of medium wash straight leg jeans are super versatile. This pair has a relaxed fit with a mid-rise making them much more comfortable than my other pairs of jeans (I wear them several times a week!) I went with my smaller size since they tend to relax with wear.
Wool Coat // You may think a wool coat is too fancy for a SAHM, but I beg to differ. They really elevate my casual outfits so I recommend having one no matter what your lifestyle is! The one I’ve linked here is nice and cozy for cold days (hence the price tag,) but if you live somewhere more mild, this one from Mango is more lightweight and super chic (it got me through winter in the PNW!)
Puffer Coat // You’ll definitely need to have a puffer coat on stand-by for really frigid days. I’ll probably be wearing mine most of the time here in Chicago. This one is super warm, but here is another option that is more affordable with great reviews.
Chelsea Boots // A durable Chelsea boot is a must for wintertime. As much as I love a pointy ankle boot, if I’m spending the day with my kids, this style is much easier to run around in. I linked the ones I recently purchased that come highly recommended by people who know winter. Try these boots, if you don’t need ones that are lined, and these boots are more affordable (but highly recommended!)
Sneakers // If the weather isn’t too cold, a cool sneaker is the way to go for a SAHM. Just make sure you wear some thick socks to stay warm!
Snow Boots // In Chicago, you can’t get by without a pair of snow boots in the winter. This style comes highly recommended; they look so cozy! I own this pair and find them modern yet warm.
Accessories (don’t skip these!) // Socks / Sling Bag (ASHLEYR15 for 15% off) / Croissant Hoops / Sunglasses / Triangle Scarf / Beanie / Tote Bag
Stay-At-Home Mom Winter Outfit Ideas
Shop the Capsule
Read More:
Stay-At-Home Mom Summer Capsule Wardrobe
Stay-At-Home Mom Fall Capsule Wardrobe
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