Winter is around the corner. Here’s a look at must-have pieces to gear up for it in style.

A sweater your grandpa would be envious of

‘Tis the season for hot cocoa and fuzzy sweaters. Knits are the way to go for the cold season. Whether you prefer it to be more fitting or trendily oversized, you can’t go wrong as long as you are in the holiday spirit.

A dark pair of denim

Dark denim and winter are like peanut butter and jelly — they go with everything, and the dark tone accompanies the cold weather well. There are a variety of brands with good denim, but stay away from fast-fashion brands like Forever 21. As convenient and inexpensive as they are, the procedures carried out and waste generated by these businesses are far more important to consider than saving a few bucks.

A jacket that you can layer

Pittsburgh keeps everyone on their toes when it comes to the weather, so keep a jacket that can be worn on the days it isn’t cold enough for a heavy coat. It can be anything from a flannel to a leather biker jacket. Throw it over a vintage tee or your favorite hoodie and you’re set for Pittsburgh’s random warm days in the middle of winter.

A pair of shoes/boots ready to be covered in salt

No shoe or boot is safe. If you’re planning on keeping your precious Ugg boots or your favorite sneakers clean, your best bet is to just stay inside. The icy roads and sidewalks will be coated in salt, inevitably ruining your brand-new kicks. If a mandatory occasion calls for fresh footwear, I suggest spraying shoe protector on them and hoping for the best.

 A heavy coat that can withstand Antarctic-level temperatures

There is one thing that is certain during winter in Pittsburgh – excruciatingly cold temperatures. If you do not already have a coat that shields you from all the elements, get one as soon as possible. Winter waits for no one in Pittsburgh; it shows no mercy to those who are unprepared. If you were to only choose one thing from this list to get, make it this one. Seriously.

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Red sweater