Winter Wardrobe Staples: Effortlessly Taking Your Closet into the Winter Season

Going into the winter months is often a depressing affair. You're battling with quite a bit of adversity.

You've got a rapidly fading tan on top of skin so dry that your unshaven legs actually hurt, a parched face that in addition to being dry is uneven, splotchy and red, leaving your makeup utterly useless, static shocking your fingers right off your hands, and broken, brittle, dull hair that looks like you've stuck your big toe into an electrical outlet. It's cold, it's windy, it's icy and bitter. It's miserable. You're waking up 15 minutes earlier to warm up your car and scrape ice off of your windshield, and another 20 to account for black ice and backed up traffic. The beach is a distant and foreign memory as are your strappy metallic sandals and go-to flip flops. And by the way, did Autumn even happen?

With all of this working against you, the last thing you want to worry about is your winter wardrobe. Packing away your summer clothes into the long months of hibernation may leave you wondering what your next step should be.

Use this list to get you through these dark times. By acquiring the items on this list, you should have an easier time of moving your closet into the winter season. Once you have these things, mix and match them with your existing wardrobe. You may find that you don't need to pack away as much as you previously thought, and hopefully, it should cheer you up a bit.

1. A Great Pair of Jeans - Jeans sometimes disappear in the summer months with all the other bottom options available to you in warm weather. So be glad to resurrect them during the cold. Which ever style works best for you; make sure you have a couple pairs to rotate. A good recommendation is skinny or straight jeans that can easily be tucked into boots (boot cut can work too).

2. Black AND Brown Comfy Boots - Invest in one pair in each color. You can even find slouchy pairs that have a chunky heel, making them easier to maneuver in during the winter. Shop around for a pair that work with thick socks and which you can tuck your jeans into. No one likes to have wet hems on their pants. Other good suggestions are riding-boot styles, and yes, even Ugg style. They may not be the prettiest shoes, but they sure are comfortable and practical in the middle of January.

3. Black AND Brown Tights - These will come in particular handy when you have dresses or skirts from the summer that can work in cold weather. Choose items that are made of a heavier fabric, put on with tights and those comfy heeled boots, and your summer dress just arrived in winter. Tights can also work well with Mary Jane and Oxford style shoes. Make sure your tights are thick but not too restricting. Play with patterns and textures as well: argyle, hounds tooth, ribbed, funky knits, etc. It really jazzes up your outfit.

4. Thermal shirts - Thermal or waffle shirts really come in handy with all of your tees. A black thermal under a lighter colored t-shirt is cute, feels comfortable, and gives a very a laid back feel to your look. They're fairly inexpensive and can be found at many stores; buy a few: black, cream, brown, and add a color that goes with the majority of your tees, like for instance a red or pink one depending on your t-shirt collection. Also work under dresses if you feel like you can pull it off.

5. Black Turtleneck - Some people hate turtlenecks. They can be annoying and feel very suffocating, but they do look cute under sleeveless dresses. It's very mod, and works well with your hair pulled off of your face. The turtleneck and pulled back hair helps in making your face the focal point. Add some dangly earrings to look less severe.

6. Zip-Up Hoodie AND Cable Knit Cardigan- For hanging around the house or for the back of your desk chair. The hoodie is great with t-shirts and dressed down outfits, while the cardigan is better for dressier clothes. The cardigan looks effortless over pretty much everything.

7. Scarves - You should have at least three, in black, brown, and one bright color. You'd be surprised at how much warmer a scarf makes you feel. Even after you're indoors, leaving a scarf on cuts down on chill. By choosing a black and brown one, you will have one to go with every outfit and jacket, but by adding the bright colored one, you'll add interest to your outfits. Stick with ones that are in the pashmina style: long, wide and soft. They work better indoors than a chunky knit one.

8. Sturdy Bag - You're going to want to find a bag that can balance out the heaviness of your clothes. During the day, you should carry a bag that is substantial enough not to get lost in the bulk and layers of your outfit.

9. Stylish Coat - I'm sure you have a go-to winter coat. It's reliable and no doubt warm and practical. But every woman should have at least one coat that makes her feel fantastic while wearing it. This is wear patterns and colors come into play. Black and white hounds tooth, hot pink, winter white, leather with a fur trimmed collar, leopard print. Trench coat-like, caped, bell sleeved, knee length, cinched waist, big buttons, tuxedo, military inspired, A-line, tweed; the list goes on and on. Try on every and all styles and pick one that makes you want to wear it all day and is almost an outfit unto itself.

10. Accessories (Hats, Gloves, etc) - Everyone should have a pair of dependable leather gloves. They're best for driving when your car hasn't quite warmed up yet. Knit gloves also have a place in your closet, as do fingerless gloves. They're not just for pre-teens. They're totally useful for the every-woman. It's no shock that it's impossible to perform certain tasks with bulky gloves on. Fumbling for keys? Turning up your car radio? Patting down puffed out hair? Yeah, right. As for hats, they're not for everyone, but everyone SHOULD give them a chance. Oversized knit berets are flattering on almost anyone, and make your ears oh-so toasty.

Okay, now that you have your list, take a look in your closet and see what warm weather clothing you can now salvage. You'll still need the usual lineup of sweaters, corduroy pants, and puffy coats, but hopefully you've just been given a few options. Happy Winter!