If you reside in the Northeast, you might agree when I say that January may arguably be one of the most difficult months to dress for. In addition to the freezing temperatures, there seems to be a lull within the stores and online retailers as the new-in Winter items are nearly out of stock, and it’s too soon to start rolling out Spring collections. As I stated towards the end of 2024, these add to my list of reasons why I will continue to shop my closet! Subsequently, with each season the voids become smaller and smaller to the point where if I do decide to purchase something, I need to make room for it by letting go of an existing item. I’m also starting to feel complete with the wardrobe I currently have, and love coming up with new ways to style my favorite pieces. Though this outfit was shot last year, it was one of the first days that gave a true glimpse of the frigid temperatures that were to come; and while I did have on a few layers, they didn’t stand a chance against the harsh winds. Believe it or not, only two things from this ensemble were actually recent buys. Towards the end of Summer, I was invited to a presentation where I first laid eyes on this deep plum coat and literally stalked the website until it was finally available for sale. Being a collector of outerwear, and despite having a few long wool coats already, I was able to justify this purchase due to the fact that the cut, color, and weight varied significantly from the others. Another thing I love about my current fashion archive is how much the pieces I own, and gravitate towards, always seem to compliment each other. It’s no secret that I am a lover of Earth tones and denim, so I rarely find it hard to mix and match even when integrating new elements. This patterned mesh top is still in heavy rotation (2 years later), and I simply could not pass on the opportunity to bring it out one more time. These jorts have also been a worthwhile investment, and always seem to elevate any look with a hint of tomboy edge. For a bit more dimension, I used black as my accent shade and played with different textures to allow each section of the outfit to shine in a seamless yet coordinated way. East-west bags are still very much on trend so I did not hesitate to style this beauty and incorporate my everyday silver jewelry to match it’s hardware. The final touch was a pair of old-faithful sunnies, and I was more than ready for a brisk stroll through the city streets! NYFW is right around the corner and while I’m still unsure of how much I’ll be participating, I have no doubt that I will be shopping less and experimenting more with the gems I already own. Comment below your favorite featured item and until next time!








