Considering cost-per-wear and the seasonal transition is essential when adding to your wardrobe.

The winter season is an excellent time of year to play around with fashion because there are several layers to a look in winter. I dress best in winter, it's funny, but it's real because if my body is not on point, you can cancel summer for me (laughing out loud). Seriously, I say that because I associate winter with cold, drab, and blah weather, so it's the time of year when I wear tinted moisturizer to even out my skin and get rid of the cool undertone due to lack of sun; add blush to my cheeks, wear color on my lips, and try to step out in my casual chic sometimes sophisticated somewhat trendy fashion choices (that's my fashion style 😉) because for real I'm not too fond of the cold either. But I must say, this season, a few things in my closet have made me WANT to step out because they have been just that good. They have been these five essential winter closet must-haves that I didn't know I needed. I'll start with the chunky flat boot. You have heard me talk about the chunky boot and seen me wearing them in several pictures. These Zara flat chunky heel sock boots have been in my closet since last year and have been a staple for most of my looks. These boots were less than fifty dollars (so needless to say, an excellent buy for the cost) and are must-haves. They work with many outfits, skirts, dresses, skinny jeans, and leggings. I have seen this boot in different variations from several brands, so you have plenty of options if Zara is not your store of choice. I recommend searching Zappos, but you could create similar looks with a cute bootie or a similar style Chelsea or combat boot that you may already have.

Secondly, the sherpa coat, 😍OMG! I got this cream bear coat from Banana Republic for Christmas, and it's chic, super warm, and a major statement piece. At the time of purchase, this coat was $400, but I think it's currently on sale for $189 😏 if they have any left in stock. I have reached for this coat considerably, so the cost per wear (the cost of the coat divided by the number of times I wear it) tells me this was a smart purchase. Of course, it would have been better to get the sale price, but I was lazy to take it back to the store for the price adjustment; I know, sad! But anyway, this coat is incredible and elevates any outfit; it also comes in a camel color, which is more practical for some.

The third item is a beanie hat. I love hats, period, wide brim, baseball, and berets; it doesn't matter, I wear them all. But I didn't know how much I needed the beanie until I did not feel like doing my hair one day. OMG, ladies with short hair may appreciate this one the most 😂. After washing and molding, I go the weekend with the mold and flat iron on Sunday night in preparation for work, but this is where the beanie comes in. You can wear it with any casual weekend look on the back of your head with a little bang, earrings, and red lips, and you are in there 😉.

The fourth item is the long sleeve body suit with or without the turtle neck. Black, brown, and cream/off-white are certainly essential winter pieces. I can make four outfits in my head right now with these shirts. Under a blazer with jeans and a boot, wide-leg pants and boot, with a skirt and knee-high boot and long coat, under a sleeveless sweater belted with a legging and boot. Do you see why I say these shirts are must-haves?

Last but not least, the fifth item is the dress. I'm sure you have several dresses, and you're thinking, but in winter? Yes! Dresses are essential in winter because they save you the headache and time of using multiple pieces to pull together a look. When you don't have time to stand in the closet figuring it out, you wake up late, or it's the weekend and you want an elevated look, a dress is a go-to. Long, short, with/without tights, a sock boot, or knee-high boots, it's an easy look to pull together.

Don’t run to the mall just yet! Check your closet inventory first and pull out your essentials to start creating your baseline looks. Add to your wardrobe as needed. Thank me in the comments 😉😂.