Next year, and the winter after that, too. What is the winter standard item, according to those who love it?

Open your closet—do you have something you could truly call your own "standard item"? By the middle of winter, trendy pieces start going on sale, and it's tempting to jump at them. But if you stop and think calmly, you may recall a time you rushed to buy something, only to find it didn't quite match your mood the following winter, and it ended up forgotten in a drawer. If you're adding something new to your wardrobe this time, wouldn't it be nice to find an item that stays in your regular rotation next year, and the year after that? This feature has ZUTTO staff talking about their own long-loved "my standards." It might just leave you wanting to fill your closet with things you'll cherish for years to come.

What did ZUTTO staff love this winter?

Every year, as the seasons change, there are sweaters and stoles that make you think, "Ah, this season again," with a little rush of joy. Winter standards that never fade, no matter how many years pass, aren't just practical—they grow more beloved over time, becoming irreplaceable. Ideally, this is something you'd want to know before winter even begins, but hearing staff talk about items they're actually relying on right now, in the thick of the season, makes for a far more convincing case. We hope this is helpful both to those whose sweaters, worn in heavy rotation since autumn, are starting to look a little tired, and to anyone hoping to find a winter item they can love for years to come.

A ZUTTO original waffle-knit sweater. When staff tried it on, they were surprised to find it so light—"It's so light!"—that they ended up buying it on the spot.

The king of winter sweaters: ANDERSEN-ANDERSEN's sailor sweater

Sailor Sweater THE NAVY CREWNECK blue (Size XXS)

User: Staff member M (height 165cm)

Years of use: about 4 months, worn 1–2 times a week

How it was purchased: A sweater I'd admired ever since we started carrying it. As I agonized over the color, size, and whether to get a crewneck or turtleneck, the season passed and it went out of stock. This time, I finally made the purchase. I plan to make it a mainstay winter item for years to come.

Staff member M:

I finally got my hands on ANDERSEN-ANDERSEN's sailor sweater this year, drawn to its unisex feel. It's a curious sweater—every winter, without fail, the number of fans within our company seems to grow by one or two people. I already knew, from seeing and hearing about it from others who owned one, that it wouldn't easily wear out, that it was incredibly warm, and that while it looks like an ordinary sweater at first glance, up close you can tell it's genuinely well made.

After trying it on a few times, I chose navy (blue). ANDERSEN-ANDERSEN has a lot of male fans too, and I'd seen men around town wearing the blue and grey colors, so I decided to pick a color that felt unisex. I like pairing it boldly with denim or work pants for a more masculine look, but it also looks cute paired with a plaid skirt.

But what makes me most glad I bought it is on cold winter days—especially windy ones—when this sailor sweater truly shows what it's made of.

This sweater, generously made with high-quality merino wool, was created by a couple living in Denmark, a country with many seafarers. Its knitting technique, born of a seafaring nation, is so effective that you might wonder if you even need a coat in winter. (In fact, when I stepped outside in the dead of winter, I was surprised to find myself feeling warm all over after just a short walk.) Even when the wind howls, it doesn't pass through the knit. On especially cold days, I found myself reaching for my ANDERSEN sweater almost without fail. It's become something like a winter talisman.

The wool is knitted so densely that there's practically no gap for wind to pass through, so honestly, I can't recommend it to anyone looking for something light and warm. But there's real reassurance in the flexibility of the merino wool and fully-fashioned knitting technique, and in the body of the sweater, generously knit with wool that resists unraveling. The long-fiber merino wool also resists pilling, so I don't fuss much over its care. It's not an inexpensive item, but once you actually wear it, I think you'll understand why.

For everyday care, I hand-wash it with wool and cashmere shampoo. I wash it quite casually, but so far I haven't noticed any shrinking, pilling, or loss of shape.

Worn by a staff member 157cm tall (Size XXS)

→See ANDERSEN-ANDERSEN items here

Made based on ergonomic design: Haflinger's wool slippers

Knut series, Color: Fuchsia *This same color is discontinued for this season

User: Staff member S

Years of use: 1.5 years (daily)

How it was purchased: I bought a new pair of slippers when I started spending more time at desk work. I fell in love at first sight with the colorful lineup and bought them on the spot.

Staff S: I really recommend these slippers. Many people at ZUTTO use them too, so much so that we've featured them in our reading column before. The ergonomically designed footbed feels comfortable against the sole of your foot, and the boiled wool upper sole spreads slightly to fit the shape of your foot.

Summer or winter, Haflinger is what I always reach for when I want to slip my feet into something on a cold morning. They don't easily fall off even when going up and down stairs, and while they may feel a bit snug at first, once you've worn them in a bit, you can slip them on smoothly whether you're barefoot or wearing socks. Best of all, the thick, non-slip sole feels wonderful—even standing in the kitchen, you don't feel the cold coming up from the floor. I was also impressed by how much less prone to odor the wool is compared to other materials. Since you can hand-wash them clean with detergent, you can keep them relatively fresh at all times.

What surprised me most was their durability. With slippers, if you use them every day, they tend to wear down noticeably within a year, becoming visibly worn. But that just doesn't happen with these. You wash them, get them clean, and use them again. They're priced more like outdoor shoes for slippers, but rather than replacing them every year, it somehow feels more worthwhile to keep wearing a pair that fits your feet well, kept clean. I use them even in air-conditioned rooms, and I think they'll serve you well any time of year except the height of summer.

→Shop Haflinger here

Rediscovering its appeal: KLIPPAN's thick wool blanket

KLIPPAN Half Blanket *This color and pattern is not currently available.

User: Staff A

Years of use: About 2 years, used 5 times a week from autumn through winter

Reason for purchase: About two years ago, I was looking for a blanket that would last a long time and be exceptionally warm. I was already a fan of KLIPPAN, and I was drawn to a color that wasn't too dark, so I bought it.

Staff A:

When my feet got so cold in winter that the swelling got bad, I bought this for use at work. For personal use, especially at the office, a mini blanket would probably be fine, but since I absolutely didn't want to get cold, I bought the half blanket (about 1.5 times the size). I usually fold it in half and drape it over my lap. If you turn it lengthwise and place it over your lap, it covers you all the way down to your ankles.

Something I noticed recently is that this blanket doesn't slip off your lap easily. Being wool, it does of course generate some static electricity, but compared to fleece or cotton, it has just the right weight and texture, which makes it very easy to use.

KLIPPAN blankets are often called "the world's happiest blanket," and their quality is truly guaranteed. They've remained a long-time favorite at ZUTTO, with new designs released every year. Surprisingly, the most popular ones tend to be simple colors like gray and navy. With a simple construction free of fringe, they're convenient to carry outdoors—to the park, for watching sports, or at school sports days.

Stole Rumba Yellow

For those who want something light to drape over their shoulders, a stole is also a good option. To care for it, I just give it a quick wash with wool and cashmere shampoo before putting it away. Other staff members use them too, and they hold up so well with proper care that it's hard to tell how long they've actually had them—seems like they don't get worn out even after several years of use.

→Shop KLIPPAN here

More from ZUTTO's reading column

Caring for natural materials in winter (wool, cashmere, mohair)