10 Winter 2026 Wardrobe Staples to Gift to Yourself This December

Welcome to 10 Things to Buy, a monthly shopping list that helps you shop smarter by focusing on the 10 key items to add to your cart that month if your wardrobe is in need of a boost. As aBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing editor for the past 11 years, I've spent many hours advising people on what to shop for during any given season, so you're in good hands. Whether you're shopping for cold weather, warm weather, a vacation, or a wedding, I'm here to offer up the most seasonally appropriate suggestions. Be sure to return at the start of each month for more.

We did it—we made it to the end of 2025. Through this series, I've recommended 120 things to buy this year (including this month's edition), and December has turned out to be one of my favorite iterations of 10 Things to Buy. Amid all of the gift shopping we've been doing this past week, it's time to pause to consider your own winter wardrobe, and it's my fashion-editor duty to help with that. This month, it's all about staying warm and looking festive, and the 10 wardrobe staples I recommend prioritizing this December will actually be very appropriate long after the holidays. Rest assured that it'll be money well spent. With that, keep scrolling to shop the best things to buy this month.

Fair Isle Sweater

Happy après-ski season to those who celebrate. Even if you don't have a visit to a chalet in your future, you can still dress like you do with winter's coziest, prettiest trend.

Triangle Scarf

Triangle scarves are suddenly everywhere. They're the perfect way to accessorize your coat and keep you warm throughout the season.

Corduroy Pants

When jeans aren't warm enough and sweatpants aren't polished enough, corduroy pants are the answer. These days, they come in as many style options as jeans do, from balloon to bootcut.

Wool Bucket Hat

Wool bucket hats are the new beanies. Get yourself one before they all sell out.

Calf-Hair Shoes

If you want to add a bit of richness to your outfits this winter, calf-hair shoes are an easy way to do it. The texture adds an interesting element to an outfit that plain leather doesn't.

Brown Wool Coat

A brown wool coat has become as essential as a black one, and the good news is that you can pair it with the black pieces in your wardrobe, which is what all the fashion people are doing.

Velvet Dress

The holiday season is the perfect time to invest in a new velvet dress, and no, you needn't stow it away on January 1. Don't hesitate to wear it throughout the winter.

Elevated Puffer

As Elsa Hosk recently showed us with her Polo Ralph Lauren version, elevated puffers are the best puffers.

Special Earrings

When we're all cloaked in layers of knitwear and wool this time of year, it can be tricky to figure out how to give your outfits that special oomph. My go-to is a special pair of earrings that you can see among all of the winter gear and wear to the festive occasions you receive invites to.

Brown Suede Boots

You probably already own enough black boots, so the other style to buy is a brown suede pair. I sound like a broken record at this point, but they're guaranteed to make your outfits look rich and elegant.