To make it through winter’s plunging temperatures, you need essentials that offer more than a fleeting trend factor. What’s required are premium basics crafted from densely woven natural fabrics that deliver serious insulation. Heavy cotton, robust twill and merino wool become steadfast allies in the colder months. At SANVT, we’re presenting our favourite 10 must-haves for a winter capsule wardrobe, so you can build a perfectly curated selection of timeless pieces. Essentials that don’t just complete your winter wardrobe, but elevate it and continue to perform confidently for years.
Winter brings its fair share of challenges, exposing us to harsher and more extreme weather conditions. Whether it’s hail, snowstorms, rain, or icy winds that send the thermometer tumbling below zero: a winter capsule wardrobe built on heavy, densely woven natural fabrics that breathe while keeping you warm is non-negotiable. Yet in an era of fast fashion, where quantity trumps quality, finding essentials made from fabrics of this calibre isn’t easy. But don’t worry. Your search ends here. At SANVT, we specialise in durable, perfected premium essentials, and we’ve developed numerous pieces designed to keep you warm while ensuring you look seriously sharp.
10 Must-Haves in Winter
The Heavyweight T-Shirt
Let’s start with a basic no wardrobe should be without: a plain t-shirt. But winter calls for more than just any tee. It calls for a heavyweight one that offers the robustness, warmth and substance you need under knits or sweatshirts. Our winter t-shirt is crafted from a 235 g/m² heavy jersey, made from 100% fine cotton. The high GSM doesn’t just add thickness; it also boosts longevity and durability. The specially engineered knit structure offers outstanding thermoregulating properties. Because despite its firmness, the fabric is air-permeable and breathable. That makes this t-shirt the perfect base layer for winter layering. Thanks to a double stitch, the reinforced crew neck keeps its shape naturally even after countless washes and without synthetic fibres. A no-brainer for any capsule wardrobe, whatever the season.
The Longsleeve T-Shirt
For even more functionality, reach for the long-sleeve option: the heavyweight long-sleeve t-shirt mirrors the same technical advantages of the winter t-shirt but pushes performance further. Made from the same 235 g/m² jersey, it offers thermoregulation and, with an anti-pilling finish, remains immaculate wash after wash. Handcrafted in Portugal with a slim sleeve cut and reinforced crew neckline, this long-sleeve is a minimalist powerhouse. Precision-fit, premium in feel, it is ideal worn solo, as a mid-layer, or as a base layer.
The Longsleeve Polo Shirt
A polo shirt might feel like a summer staple, but our long-sleeve version proves otherwise. Made from a 220 g/m² certified organic cotton piqué, it delivers a balanced blend of breathability, shape retention and thermal performance. The innovative piqué knit of our longsleeve polo stabilises the fabric, ensuring a perfect fit and superb comfort, while side slits and genuine mother-of-pearl buttons give the piece an elegant yet sporty character. A high-performance essential with cult appeal, ideal for elevating winter looks from smart-casual to formal, sitting perfectly between a casual long-sleeve t-shirt and a formal bottom up shirt.
The Heavy Merino Jumper
No winter wardrobe works without knitwear and our new heavy merino jumper definitely takes the lead. Each one is handcrafted in Portugal using 100% extra-fine Super Geelong merino wool from Australia. This wool comes from the first shearing and ranks among the finest merino fibres in the world. Its ultra-fine strands create a natural sheen and exceptional softness without any scratchiness. At the same time, the chunky knit structure offers a refined hand-feel, elegant drape and premium elasticity. Thanks to modern fully-fashioned knitting, each jumper is produced in its final shape, meaning it’s precisely knitted, without cutting, and with zero material waste. The result is a clean fit with a long-lasting finish in a zero-waste process. An absolute winter essential.
The Merino Sweater
Our merino sweater is the finer, more luxurious counterpart to the heavy merino, offering an ultra-soft feel. It also uses Australian Super Geelong merino wool, but its ultra-fine fibres deliver a cashmere-like softness with far greater durability. Geelong merino combines density, thermoregulation and longevity, making this knit piece not only exceptionally soft but highly functional. Each jumper is sustainably hand-knitted in Portugal using ethically sourced merino wool. The fully-fashioned technique is also used here, meaning no unnecessary fabric waste. In a crew-neck design, this knit becomes a timeless essential and an ideal top layer for winter and the transitional seasons.
The Merino Roll Neck
The same quality principles apply to the merino roll neck: the smart, minimalist classic is made from the same materials and in the same way as our fine-knit jumper, but with the added benefit of a roll neck for extra warmth against wind and freezing temperatures. The fine knit delivers a cashmere feel without the cashmere price tag. Our Super Geelong merino wool, sourced from the first shearing of lambs under five months, prioritises animal welfare with a strict no-mulesing guarantee. The wool’s density, thermoregulation and durability are once again incomparable to similar products on the market. That makes this refined essential polished enough for the office, yet sturdy enough for the cold.
The Heavyweight Chino
For your lower half, the heavyweight chino delivers what many trousers lack in winter: real substance. Our heavy chino blends Italian weaving expertise with functional warmth. Its mix of 98% cotton and 2% elastane ensures full mobility, while the diagonal structure traps air and retains heat longer. The unique weaving technique makes it an ideal winter trouser. Practical details like the eyelet clasp, elasticated drawstring waistband and deep pockets, including a hidden smartphone compartment, turn it into a reliable companion for everyday life and travel.
The Perfect Sweatpants
If you prefer something cosier in winter, consider a premium pair of joggers. Made from a heavy 400 g/m² loopback French terry, our perfect sweatpants offer maximum warmth, comfort and durability with a premium design. After two years of development, we perfected our “diagonal loopback”: compared with conventional French terry, the diagonal knit and loops on the inside deliver superior durability and thermoregulation. The innovative fabric makes the trousers incredibly comfortable to wear. Deep pockets plus a Lycra-reinforced hem and waistband with practical drawstring provide added longevity and practicality. The minimalist design turns these joggers into an essential for modern athleisure looks, without veering into loungewear territory.
The Perfect Sweatshirt
Sticking with sweat styles: sweatshirts are universally loved, easily bought, but rarely well made. Our perfect sweatshirt, a French terry model crafted from a 400 g/m² heavy loopback fabric, shows just how premium a sweatshirt can be. During the combing process, fibres are smoothed and impurities are removed by hand. The combed cotton lends the sweatshirt exceptional softness, while the technical loopback structure ensures warmth, moisture management and a pleasant body climate. The loops on the inside act as tiny heat stores without compromising breathability. The result? Quite possibly the best sweatshirt in the world. Premium in look and premium in feel.
The Zip Hoodie
To finish things off, you need a top layer you can simply throw on, combining function with cool, for effortless winter looks. Nothing does this job better than the zip hoodie, crafted from extra-heavy French terry. With its 400 g/m² fabric, double-layer hood, reinforced seams and high-quality zip, it becomes the perfect hybrid of sporty and smart. Breathable, warm and seriously durable, it’s the basic that slots seamlessly into any winter capsule wardrobe, delivering a distinctive style factor you don’t want to miss.
Winter Capsule Wardrobe: Conclusion
When temperatures drop, clothing needs to perform, not merely look good. Therefore, a well-curated winter capsule wardrobe isn’t excess; it’s a commitment to quality, function and style. Choosing heavy, densely woven natural fabrics means investing in warmth, longevity and a look that remains effortlessly confident. SANVT’s 10 essentials prove that modern menswear doesn’t need to shout to make an impact. It needs precision, authenticity and uncompromising craftsmanship. With the right essentials, winter becomes less of a challenge and more of a stage for clean, refined style.