SWEATER: Diane von Furstenberg (also love this one and this one) |  PANTS: Diane von Furstenberg (on sale!)  |  BOOTS: Old, similar HERE and HERE  |  BAG: Caterina Bertini   |  SUNGLASSES: Old, similar HERE and HERE |  EARRINGS: Sold out, similar HERE  |  SUITCASE: Hartmann (old, similar HERE)  |  EARMUFFS: old, love THESE and THESE

The packing process is never easy, no matter the destination, but when it comes to packing for a ski trip, the challenges are definitely amplified.  I’m currently packing for a post-Christmas jaunt to Lake Tahoe, and after staring down the mountain of thick sweaters, bulky ski pants and monstrous snow boots heaped onto my bed in preparation for said “jaunt,” I became increasingly concerned that I would ever find luggage large enough to transport aforementioned mountain of clothing and accessories (that was now many multiples of airline weight limits).  After one or two existential meltdowns while trying to cull the quantity of truly adorable ski sweaters, footwear and the like from my collection (I mean, if I don’t get to wear this adorable fairisle sweater from Shopbop on the slopes, is life even worth living????), I’m happy to report that I came to a sartorially acceptable and physically packable result (without the need for an industrial crane to assist in luggage transport) .

Today, in addition to this ski-inspired look, I’m sharing my streamlined list of ski trip essentials in hopes of saving you from the same emotional rollercoaster.  And, if your wardrobe is in need of some new ski-ready pieces, I’ve rounded up some absolutely drool-worthy options below that I recently spotted on Shopbop (just look at these adorable boots and tell me you’re not in cardiac arrest).

As you know from this season’s Trend Memo, ski-inspired style is huge right now—on and off the slopes—so you’ll be wearing these pieces all season long whether you’re headed for Aspen or just heading to Sunday brunch.  Without further ado, here are the 12 things you need to pack to brave the snow and the chill, and look great while doing it:

1. SKI JACKET

2. HEAVY SWEATER

3. SNOW BOOTS

4. SKI PANTS

5. WARM BASE LAYERS

6. SCARF/NECK WARMER

7. HAT/EAR MUFFS

8. MITTENS/GLOVES

9. SUNGLASSES

10. THICK SOCKS

11. COZY LOUNGEWEAR

12. APRES-SKI DINNER DUDS

SWEATER: Diane von Furstenberg (also love this one and this one) |  PANTS: Diane von Furstenberg (on sale!)  |  BOOTS: Old, similar HERE and HERE  |  BAG: Caterina Bertini   | SUNGLASSES: Old, similar HERE and HERE  |  EARRINGS: Sold out, similar HERE  |  SUITCASE: Hartmann (old, similar HERE)  |  EARMUFFS: old, love THESE and THESE