30 winter wardrobe essentials...

This post is a little late seeing as we are about halfway through winter already, however I still wanted to take time to put it together for a few reasons.  One being, if you are like me you are already getting sick of your winter clothes... this post may work to remind us of pieces we already own but forgot about OR you may still be filling holes in your winter wardrobe and now is the time to do that with many winter pieces on sale now.  The other reason is that this is the perfect reminder that you don't need TONS of winter clothes to make for a cohesive winter wardrobe.  Winter is all about really solid basics like great jeans and sweaters and coats and boots that will keep us warm and stylish for the next couple of months.

My winter wardrobe is the one I really invest in.  Warm winter coats and boots don't come cheap and if you buy right these investments should last several years.  The same goes for sweaters and jeans... I don't want anything that is falling apart, stretching out or pilling mid-season.  Go for investment pieces this time of year and you won't regret it.

Accessories like scarves, a few delicate pieces of jewelry and a great bag or two can go a long way as well.  For bags I like to use a big tote this time of year (easy to sling over the shoulder with all the layers on) or a cross body bag to leave your hands free for mittens or gloves - or a nice warm drink!  And warm socks are ALWAYS in style this time of year... below I featured the pair I can't live without!  High quality snow boots like Ugg and Sorel are absolutely essential for keeping your feet warm.  And for days when it's not too snowy or cold, ankle boots, riding boots or even a pair of sneakers works for looking stylish - if it's warmer where you live or you get a random mild day a gorgeous pair of flats is always nice to have on hand.

This is the season for layering as much as possible, coats or jackets with tops and sweaters and scarves... layer it all on!  Being freezing cold is never in style.  So here are my top 30 winter wardrobe essentials... I hope this inspires your winter wardrobe in a positive way. I know that many of these pieces are similar to items that I own and love and depend on in my wardrobe.

coats/scarves

camel coat, faux fur hooded anorak, leather jacket, blazer, plaid scarf, grey scarf

sweaters

striped sweater, cream sweater, turtleneck sweater, grey cardigan, cream poncho

tops

grey sweatshirt, striped top, chambray top, plaid top

jeans/bottoms

leather leggings, dark skinny jeans, distressed jeans, black jeans

shoes

sorel snow boots, riding boots, ankle boots, ugg boots, sneakers, flats

accessories

tote, cross body bag, delicate ring set, necklace, warm socks

Or shop the pieces here...

spring classics/2015

From the timeless denim jacket to your (new) favorite jean shorts to a fun and flirty tank… this season I am LOVING the classics.  A linen blazer in white, a pair of loafers with bows and fun details like scallops and tassels are the perfect balance of classic and modern this season.  Pieces like these become instant favorites and are sure to be on repeat in your closet throughout the spring and summer.

above: bracelet, gold/white clutch, bow loafers, white linen blazer, black sandals, denim shorts, blue tunic, peach tank, geo print tassel clutch, scalloped tank dress, denim jacket, white jeans

just the classics/February

This year I am committed to keeping my closet simple and classic… but I want to make sure it feels fresh too.  Each month I'm going to highlight a few of my favorite classic AND fresh styles that I am loving and that I think you will love too!  To review… here are my style resolutions for 2015.

After being in Florida last week I am SO OVER winter. All I can think about is warm weather and warm weather clothes… even in the midst of arctic temperatures!  February is a great time of year to start stocking up on the spring pieces you crave.  Updates on the classics like a fresh pair of jeans, an adorable striped tee and some new sneakers are a great way to take your mind off winter and prep your closet for spring and summer - or perhaps a trip to a nice warm climate if it's still cold where you are.  

fossil watch - I love the pop of navy on this classic style, navy is one of my favorite colors for transitioning from winter to spring, so this watch is perfect! (psssst… it's on sale too!)

heart key chain - Time for an update to your keychain? This heart key chain is so adorable and classic.

pink scarf - before we know it we can start swapping our heavy scarves for a few light weight ones. When that happens I want to have this pink scarf on hand - so gorgeous!

striped tee - I can never own enough striped tops and this short sleeve version is the perfect relaxed look for spring.

skinny jeans - Gap has released a brand new line of denim that is supposed to be revolutionary for fit, stretch and recovery… we chatted about it on FB the other day if you missed it! These reworked classics will soon be finding a place in my closet!

leather backpack - the standby backpack is making a comeback in gorgeous leather styles and I have to say I think it might be worth investing in one again. I mean, how gorgeous is this bag?

vans sneakers - I'm on a pretty serious sneaker kick (pardon the pun) right now.  Vans have been around for ages and after just having bought a few pairs for my kids, I think I need a pair too!

style resolutions 2015!

This year I wasn't really going to make any "resolutions" personal, business or otherwise. I just had this feeling that I wanted to let the year play out as it will… trying to rock out everything I do and not really over-focusing on a few things.

But then I realized I had made a few shopping wish lists and was thinking a lot about how I wanted my wardrobe to shake out for the year.  Before I knew it I was making a few 'style resolutions' for the year.

For 2015 my style resolutions are to be relaxed-preppy-french chic-Jill.  I realize that the looks that I am drawn to on Pinterest and blogs aren't always what I am actually buying and wearing. So I want those to start matching up better.   Simple basics, classic accessories, great shoes and rockin' handbags.  In order to achieve all this with my wardrobe for 2015… here are my 2015 style resolutions:

1. Re-invest in wardrobe staples.

Confession: sometimes I buy cheap/inexpensively and regret it.

For instance, I have a pair of black jeans and black flats that I just LOVE to style up, but I bought cheap versions and they don't fit as well as they should or feel as good on as they should.  There are a few pieces in my wardrobe that I am going to have to re-invest in.  That is: donate/sell the cheaper option and buy a really awesome version that I can love more and for longer.  In my mind I am having a hard time overcoming this - I would love to know your thoughts. Worth re-investing? Totally makes sense? You think I am crazy?  Currently I've got my eye on a super quality pair of black jeans and black pointy flats. The pairs I own right now I *like*  but don't *love*. Even though I love to wear them, does that make sense?

This also applies to worn out but still loved pieces… my absolute favorite striped shirt is about shot. I bought it about three years ago and wear it a lot - to say the least. No shame in re-upping on a newer and maybe even better striped shirt.

2. Finally take the plunge on wish-list items.

Confession: there are items on my wish-list I keep passing up for cheaper stuff.

For instance, I've been wanting a pair of classic Ray Ban aviators or this Rebecca Minkoff cross body bag for probably at least a year or more. But when it comes to spending the money I shop the sales at J.Crew or whatever is new at Gap.  In my opinion it's time for me to "grow up" a little about this kind of spending.  I need to remember the long term gain of not only owning some you love/love/love but sometimes passing up the *good* for the *great* is the best way to go.

3. Find a handful of signature jewelry pieces.

Confession: I am a little over "statement" pieces and "costume" jewelry.

Don't worry… I'm not ditching the fun and bold pieces forever. I just want a few really gorgeous and simple pieces I can slip on everyday that feel feminine and beautiful and grown up.  So far, this House of Harlow bracelet, this Gorjana necklace and these Kendra Scott earrings are playing the part quite nicely in my wardrobe. However, I would love to add a few more.  These earrings and this bracelet are just what I am talking about.  The jewelry box service RocksBox helped me find most of these pieces so far - I can not recommend them enough.  They send me such beautiful things to try and then if I like them, I keep them, if not, I send them back.  (Use code: JILLBFF4 to get a free month! This is not sponsored, I just really love their service!)

4. Keep building the basics.

Confession: Even after all these years of shopping/blogging/finding my personal style there are still holes in my wardrobe.

There are still things that I need/want.  I am sure that will always be the case, but it's a good reminder that there is no rush in building your wardrobe or buying all the things at once.  Right now I would really love a monogrammed tote and a trench coat.  I hope to invest in those this spring.

5. Have fun and don't be afraid to make mistakes!

Confession: Sometimes I over think it all.

At the end of the day, it's just clothes.  Through all this I need to remember to have fun and not to be too serious about the whole thing.  Maybe a few cheap thrills from Forever 21 or Target aren't out of line.  Clothes should still be fun at the end of the day.  Trying new styles or trends can be very invigorating and fun. And if there is something at the end of the year or the month that I regret… well, hopefully I will learn a small lesson from a bad purchase and somehow find someone else to love that piece by either donating or selling it.

trench coat, Ray Ban aviators, earrings, bracelet, monogrammed tote, cross body bag, black pointy flats, striped shirt, black jeans

Do you have any style resolutions for 2015?