FashBlog.com

By Brandi M. Seals

Temperatures have begun to cool. It is time to beat the rush and stock up on all those great winter clothes.

There are a few musts in every winter wardrobe and if you opt for classic looks, chances are you can be wearing them for years. Winter wardrobe must haves include:

1.) Sweaters
Sweaters are an excellent choice. They come in different colors, different thicknesses, and different collars. There are cardigans that can be layered over camisoles, thick zippy sweaters that can be used in place of a coat on cool days and solid sweaters that can be worn alone or layered with a button up shirt for a little added oomph.

Try to avoid any patterned sweaters that will quickly go out of style. The same hold true for any brightly colored sweaters that might be too shocking to wear next year. Stick with classics like red, ivory, brilliant blue. Go with what looks good with your skin tone. And, if you want to throw in a pattern, how about choosing a nice argyle sweater?

2.) Winter Coat
The weight of the winter coat you will need will vary greatly by location. Even if you are in a cold climate, you don't have to settle on some overwhelmingly puffy yet warm jacket. Find something that fits your style but that still offers enough warmth. You would be surprised at how warm a good sweater and a pea coat can keep you even in freezing temperatures.

For coats, try to get something you like that has a classic style, but offers a punch of color. Perhaps an ivory pea coat would look great on you. Maybe choose a red trench coat. A coat is a great way to add a pop of color without going crazy.

3.) Socks
People rarely really think about their socks. They just find what they like and wear them year round. But, if you live where temperatures drop a lot, you should have a set of socks reserved for cold days and winter time. Keep them as plain or as decorative as you like, just make sure they are of a heavy weight. Wool socks work well but they can cause your feet to sweat and do little to remove the moisture. Next time you are in the sock section, look for socks that say they "wick away moisture". That means they are warm and will help draw moisture away from the feet, thereby keeping them even warm.

As a side note, always keep a spare pair of socks on hand. You never know when your foot might accidentally slam all the way through the snow resulting in a cold wet foot.

4.) Hats
Hats muss hair, but they are a necessary evil if you will be outdoors for more than a couple of seconds. Be sure to pick one that covers your ears and keeps your head warm. There's nothing worse than having to tug down your hat every couple of seconds because for some reason it simply refuses to cover you left earlobe.

I have yet to see a truly stylish hat that will keep a person warm, so I guess you are on your own with this one. My suggestion is to avoid ones with a big ball on the top or ones that come in strange shapes.

5.) Jackets
I'm not talking about pieces worn to protect you from the outdoor elements, but rather about cute pieces that can add a little warmth and dress up any outfit. Try to find a jacket in jean, corduroy or other material that you love. Jackets can be paired with skirts and tanks to really add a little extra star power. Or, stick with slacks and a jacket. You will still look great.

When selecting a jacket, keep to those that sit near the top of the hips. You don't want to cover the rump; it will only make it look bigger. Also look for seaming that draws the jacket in around your waist. It will have a slimming affect on any body type. Keep in mind, jackets go a long way to disguise arms that you are displeased with or a tummy pouch that just won't seem to go away.