3 Must Haves for Every Wardrobe

It’s that time of year again when Fall is hovering just around the corner. I have already noticed some of the leaves changing color where I live which is a sure sign that the weather will soon be colder and the holidays will be upon us before the memories of Summer even begin to fade. As the seasons enter their transitional phases, so too must our wardrobes. Now is the time to start considering your Fall and Winter style for the fast approaching cold weather seasons. Whether you are in a need of new coat or seasonal accessories, there are 3 classic must haves that every winter wardrobe should include to ensure your endless and ageless style.

1. High Quality Bag

For anyone who leaves their house for work or leisure, a high quality stylish bag is a practical investment that will keep you looking put together for any occasion. A premium leather bag in a classic shape or style can elevate an inexpensive or casual outfit to street level savvy. Because a high end bag will last for years to come, it is important to choose one that you know will suit your needs and your aesthetic. You have choices of top or full-grain leather, both of which are equally stylish and durable, as well as a variety of different sizes and styles. A quality leather bag is an investment piece that you will continue to use throughout your lifetime. Some people even consider handbags of this sort to be family heirlooms as they get passed down through the generations.

2. Durable Coat

If you live in a climate with changing seasons, a durable coat is an essential piece necessary to complete your wardrobe. But coats are not just reserved for blistery cold winter climates. They are also a wardrobe necessity during rainy or windy seasons as well. Coats, like all things fashion, come in a variety of different styles, lengths, and weights. With so many options available, sometimes relying on an old classic like a peacoat is a practical solution for versatility and timeless style. Peacoats typically are crafted from wool or synthetic materials to provide proper insulation and protection from the the wind and the cold. You want to invest in a high quality coat to ensure that the fabric and the construction is durable enough to withstand the elements for repeated cold weather seasons.

3. Timeless Leather Shoes

We all grew up familiar with the idea that we should not judge a book by its cover, but sometimes people will judge you based on the quality of your shoes. While I am not a judgy person at all, I do notice what you are wearing on your feet because shoes are my favorite addiction. Not only do our shoes make statements about our personalities, quality in our footwear is also important to the health of our feet and our posture.

Leather has been a regular material for the construction of footwear since at least 3500 B.C. because of its durable and hearty nature. These days, leather goods can be quite expensive but they are worth the investment for lasting quality in your shoes. Even after a few years of wear and tear, leather shoes can quickly be brought back to life with simple shoe services like polishing or resoling. By taking care and providing proper maintenance for your high quality footwear, you can easily extend their life and value to eliminate the need for frequent replacements.

Keep Up A Fresh Look

When curating your seasonal wardrobe, it is important to set a personal budget for yourself and make a list of your must have items. Investment pieces are meant to have a long lasting impact on your wardrobe year after year and high quality pieces can really add to the versatility of your clothing as well. If you are limited on space for clothing storage, you want to find ways to minimize your wardrobe while maintaining a beautiful selection of items that can be mixed and matched in a variety of different ways.

What are your cold weather wardrobe must have pieces?

Keeping it on the edge,

Shelbee

Joining these Fabulous Link Parties.

I am a midlife woman, wife, and stay-at-home mother of 2 boys and 2 cats. I have a passion for helping other women feel fabulous in the midst of this crazy, beautiful life.

22 Comments

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      Thanks so much, Marsha! This purple peacoat has been hanging around my closet for many years. Not since the 60’s though! I think I bought it at Target about a decade or more back. I have lots of less inexpensive footwear in my collection, but leather shoes definitely lasts the longest and are usually the most comfortable, too!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Mica

    You know me and my love for pretty bags – definitely agree with the first point, haha! I think a good high quality bag is always worth investing in, I’ve had many of mine for years or they are ones I’ve bought second hand that are even older!

    Hope you are having a lovely weekend 🙂 I had a fun night out with friends yesterday!

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      Thanks, Mica! I totally thought of you as I was working on the segment about quality handbags! You have such a lovely collection! My weekend plans were changed a bunch of times but I am still enjoying myself! I am glad you were able to get some friend time in!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Niki

    Thanks for sharing on Traffic Jam Weekend! Great tips. I have no need for a coat where I live, but I always by Coach purses. They last for years & years! And shoes- about a million, most of which are sandals, ha!

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      Thanks, Michelle! You are definitely going to need a winter coat (or maybe a few) in that area! But you won’t need it for very long as the winters are much shorter in North Carolina than they are where I live! Happy Shopping, my friend!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Sheila (of Ephemera)

    I’ve been lucky enough to be able to find multiple good quality leather bags (even a couple of chi-chi designer ones) while thrifting or shopping second-hand. I think you’re well aware of my shoe addiction, my fellow shoe junkie, hee hee! I so agree on the investment in shoes, though. My rule is: spend money on – shoes, bras, glasses and jewelry. The rest can be bought cheaper second-hand.

    As for coats, I really think that most people need at least a few different ones for different needs. For winter: a raincoat or waterproof coat; a really warm coat (cashmere, wool, etc.); an active coat option (for snow, etc.); and a dressy coat. Your raincoat or warm coat could be the dressy one, but not the sporty coat. There is nothing worse than seeing someone in a lovely gown wearing a Helly Hansen jacket over it! I’ve found amazing versions of all of these (and more…so many more…) second-hand. You really don’t have to spend a fortune on a beautiful coat; if you start hunting around in good quality consignment stores, you’ll be amazed at what you can find.

    I love your velvet coat. Squee! 🙂

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      Ooh, Sheila, thanks for this comment! Lots of fun information in here. I also spend the higher dollar amounts on bras, shoes, and glasses (not so much jewelry for me). But especially glasses. I figure they are the accessory that I wear every single day and the most prominent and visible accessory as well. I will spend excessive amounts of money to get frames that I love. Also since I literally couldn’t function in life without my glasses, it is also a medical expense and contributes to my quality of life…so money well spent. One of my favorite things to shop for secondhand is coats. I have found so many beautiful pieces in thrift shops sometimes new with the tags still on. You end up paying about 5-10% of the original retail price. You can’t beat it! And where I live I do require an entire coat wardrobe. I do want my outer wear to coordinate with my outfit!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Daenel T.

    Such great tips. I used to swear and down that I’d never wear blazers because I thought they were stuffy. I was sooo wrong. Blazers are the perfect third piece for everything!! And yes to the leather handbag. When my daughters graduated high school, each of them went to my closet and took one of my handbags with them to college. They still carry them.

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      Thanks, Daenel! I love blazers as a completer piece, too, but I find them stuffy on my body and highly uncomfortable! But I still have a giant collection of blazers anyway! Ha. I have a huge collection of everything. I love that your daughters each picked a handbag from your collection! And how wonderful that they clearly cherish those handbags.

      xoxo
      Shelbee

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      I definitely do need lots of coats here! I love coats, too. They are my fave thing to shop for in thrift stores. I don’t know what I will do when we move from this wintery place. I am not a big handbag person either. I usually scoop up cute little ones at thrift stores or on clearance but I keep them mostly for blog props and rarely use them. I hate changing out my bags so I usually use the same one until it falls apart! Thanks for commenting, my friend!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

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