Not sure I have much purpose for this post other than as a means of helping myself process my thoughts on wardrobe needs as we shift into winter. Please feel free to drop off if you find it dull!

After the shopping (and returning) frenzy of early fall, I think I have settled into a quieter period. The only thing I have added since is a pair of very inexpensive jeans that fit me for now and an orange plaid scarf for the burgundy puffer.

The advent of winter combined with WFH and still being pretty selective about activities means not much need to 'dress' over the next couple of months at least. A quick look ahead to the rest of November and early December brings these known "outings" beyond walks, gym visits and grocery runs:

• a restaurant lunch to say goodbye to a colleague who is leaving
• a trip to the eye doctor to try out a new pair of contact lenses and shop for eyeglass frames (nowadays this counts as an outing!!)
• Casual restaurant dinner with friends followed by a possible dip in their back yard hot tub
• Brunch and shopping with a couple of girlfriends
• Possible movie outing with DH

I think I can navigate all of these events comfortably with a combination of older items I can still wear because I enjoy the way they fit me now or newer pieces purchased for my current weight. As much as there's much I would LIKE, I think I can stick to my plan to wait a while longer and go slowly.

I could possibly stand to put a bit of attention into my winter outerwear capsule as it's going to be my most public 'look' for the next few months.

I don't have a lot of winter outerwear, and most of it is now too big. (A small big capsule?) Here's the current lineup (coats and boots)

• Burgundy puffer - midi length, new this year
• Old black puffer - knee length and very oversized now
• Old red puffer -- knee length and oversized now. Has a faux fur lined hood, so might pull it out for some winter walks.
• Short black puffer - not really 'winter' but works with heavy layers now and might serve under another puffer.
• Mid calf black boots -- not my faves, but the only pair I could find when I first started looking for wider width footwear. They have to do for now, but I'll be happy on the day I can replace them.
• Shorter brown/green waterproof Keen boots. I wore these almost exclusively for our daily walks last winter.
• Sandy brown mukluks. Had them for two years and still haven't worn them. Ideally best in cold and dry conditions. Maybe this year if predictions for winter are correct.
• LOTS of scarves in different weights and colours that can help pull what I have together.

Given how long our winter lasts and how much time we spend in coats and boots, I could probably justify owning more outerwear (and have owned more in the past).

While there isn't a rush in the current environment, I have identified a couple of holes that should probably be my first priority to fill:

• A lightweight puffer that covers my bum -- both for layering and for wear on its own in this not quite so cold part of winter. I like my short one, but have come home from a few walks now with a chilly behind!
• A warm puffer that comes in about knee-length. I think the midi length of the burgundy one will sometimes be more than I want or need. Waffling on colour. Could be the ubiquitous black.
• A hat with faux fur-lined ear flaps to go with the burgundy puffer. Can't stand cold ears, so toques (beanies) just don't cut it for me.
• Lower on the priority list is another pair or two of winter boots:

• a warmer utilitarian pair for winter walks (maybe a warmer version of the Keen boots that I wore almost exclusively last winter)
• a mid-calf 'fun' pair in red or cognac
• a tall dressy pair (much lower on the priority list!)

If I could find a replacement for a lovely white quilted jacket I used to have (not puffy -- similar but much more refined fabrication), I would pick that up in a heartbeat -- practicality or need be damned.

Other than that, I'm watching and reading everyone's posts with great interest, scouring old blog posts for wardrobe building advice, and continuing to think and make notes about what my future needs are likely to be.

If you've made it this far, thank you for reading! Your observations, musings and suggestions are always welcome.

Cheers!