fall fashion wardrobe essentials :: for when you accidentally donate all of your cool-weather clothes

Earlier this year I had a moment of insanity and decided to clean out all the things. All of them. I sorted toys, kitchen gadgets, books, movies, craft supplies, electronics, and clothes. I sorted just like they tell you to on TV: one pile for keep, one pile for donate/sell, and one pile for garbage. The piles eventually be boxes and the boxes eventually became piles of boxes and the piles of boxes took over my garage. Between a trip to the dump, having a yard sale, and dropping off donations to the appropriate spots, we got a lot of stuff out of the house and I was feeling really great about The Great Purge of 2014. Until this week. It’s gotten a bit chilly, even down here in Georgia. I went to pull out my winter clothes and guess what? I’m pretty sure that they managed to slip out the door during The Great Purge of 2014. Not good. Not good. When seasons change here there are always a few days that jump back and forth between hot and cold weather. (We don’t usually have warm and cool, just hot and cold). Because of that, I had one sweater and two long sleeve shirts still hanging in my closet. But that’s not enough for the whole winter.

So I decided that I really wanted to streamline my wardrobe and be as economical yet fashionable as possible. Having to buy a whole new set of clothes isn’t cheap, so I want to make sure I make wise choices. I started looking online for winter wardrobe essentials and I’ve decided that a)I’m not very fashionable (but I already knew that) and b)what one person considers essential might not be considered essential for another person. For example, I do not consider leather pants essential, but I saw them on several online lists. I also don’t own a camel hair coat, a button-down chambray or white shirt, or skinny jeans. When I see other people wearing some of those things, they look great in them! I, however, would look absurd.

So now I’m trying to come up with a basic list of fall and winter essentials that are actually essential. (How many times could I possibly use the word essential)? I already have one pair of black pants that I love. I have one sweater that fits well and is comfy but it’s pilling so much that I need to let it go. I have a lot of scarves. I also have a few long sleeve tee shirts and that’s about it. So tell me, dear readers, what are real must-haves for a winter wardrobe? What pieces can I get that will look casual yet stylish and not break the bank?

Here are a few of the things I’m considering. Let me know what you think. I need all the help I can get!

• Another pair of dark jeans. Ones that fit really well.
• An oversized, chunky sweater
• A plaid button down for layering with a cardigan
• A 3/4 length sleeve boatneck top to go with the maxi skirt I already have

What else am I missing? Fashion gurus, share your wisdom. My goal is to end up with several fashionable yet comfy outfits. Bonus point if you can accessorize to dress it up a little.