Shopping With Andra. This Winter’s Wardrobe Essentials... And Where To Get Them. Second City Style Fashion Blog

Andra Naylor for Second City Style Magazine

By now you’ve had enough cold-weather days that you’re feeling the season, have made some shopping trips to stock up on scarves and have pulled out those sweaters from storage. And if you’re like me, you’ve realized which items you won’t be able to live without this winter. I’ve been checking must-haves off my list and wanted to share what I think are the season’s style-starters.

First up are black leggings. Although it took me awhile to warm to this trend, I find myself pulling on them more and more…to keep me warm! A friend suggested I buy my first pair at Gap ($19.90), and I’m so glad I did. They hold up in the wash, keep their color and haven’t stretched out. Also necessary this winter, and a good alternative if you won’t give into leggings are black opaque tights. I find mine at Nordstrom, where I can choose from Spanx ($24) or DKNY ($8.90). And I guarantee that you can wear them with any dress or skirt hanging in your closet. Pair them with pumps, booties and boots.

Did someone say boots? Because I’ve gone absolutely boot-crazy. I’ve bought shoe booties from Target, black patent tall boots (Marc by Marc Jacobs from DSW), cream cowboy-inspired boots (vintage Gloria Vanderbilt) and re-heeled my Carlos Santana red ankle boots and Tommy Hilfiger black leather boots for another go. I’d recommend doing your boot shopping from the freshest online shoe source, Piperlime. Check out Na Na’s “Hanley” suede and patent ankle bootie ($110) and the Sammi knee-high by Corso Como ($230). Read more here...