6 Essential Outerwear (For Women)

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Clothing is an important factor in our appearance. It's no wonder we spend hundreds of dollars on it every year! But by investing a portion of that money into the wardrobe essentials, we can do the opposite. One essential I recommend using that tip on is outerwear. Below, I give you a list of outerwear that I think is worth having in your closet.

1. Puffer coat

This is a popular choice amongst teenagers and adults alike. Who can resist the comfortable and sporty look it gives off? I have a black puffer coat myself because I love this look - it's perfect to wear over casual tops and bottoms. If you're not keen with the simple appearance of this coat, opt for one with a little extra something, such as zippers, buttons, pockets, a belt, or how about faux fur. A quilted coat is a great choice for someone who prefer a modern and stylish look.  

2. Trench coat

I never imagined it possible to wear semi-formal or formal wear with a coat. That was until I discovered the trench coat. However, because of its skirt-like bottom, I recommend wearing fitted pieces like pencil skirts or skinny jeans or pants. If you're planning on wearing a skirt or a dress with this type of coat, make sure it's covered by the coat to keep the look updated. Furthermore, while colored and patterned trench coats may seem trendy, I would buy one in a neutral color to ensure wearability and style, such as beige.

3. Blazer

When the weather warm up and you still want to look pulled-together, it's time to take out that blazer! Because it can be worn with work clothes, it can be paired with play clothes to lend a sleek look. Blazers are commonly worn with a t-shirt and a pair of jeans or slacks. They can also keep you warm during those chilly evenings - so have one handy whenever you wear a strappy or strapless dress. To make sure it can be worn with multiple outfits, buy a blazer in a neutral color. For me, a navy-blue blazer is ideal because of its ability to dress up any outfit that appears too casual.

4. Denim jacket

I do love the classic idea of wearing a medium-wash denim jacket with a sundress. It's like fall meets spring, my two favorite seasons. Speaking of seasons, denim jackets are usually worn during the fall. However, it can be worn over Spring outfits to provide coverage during the early days of warmer weather. If you like the look of denim but want to wear something more light-weight, opt for a chambray shirt. Like its famous counterpart, jeans, a denim jacket can be worn over casual tank tops or t-shirts and with casual skirts or dresses. And yes, you can wear it with jeans itself - try a pair of colored jeans or how about a pair with patterns for contrast!

5. Faux leather jacket

I don't feel comfortable with the idea of wearing something made from another living creature so I look for clothing with faux materials. If you rather wear the real thing, that's up to you. (Faux) leather tends to give off that edgy and tough vibe, particularly black. For this reason, it goes great with simple outfits, except semi-formal and formal wear. Nowadays, this type of jacket comes in a variety of colors, as well as cuts. I would wear one in light- brown to add contrast to feminine outfits.

6. Hoodies

Sigh. The outerwear that you can dress almost effortlessly in. Given its casual and athletic appeal, it's commonly worn over tank-tops or t-shirts and with shorts or sweatpants. If you want to create a different look, wear a hoodie with a pair of jeans. Make sure you have multiple thick hoodies to prepare yourself for the colder months. I have a gray and navy-blue one - these two colors are universally flattering and are so easy to match clothing with.

Keep in mind that outerwear tends to be the more expensive pieces in your wardrobe, and it should be that way. Because of this, I highly recommend that you purchase one quality piece of each outerwear, with the exception of hoodies. Many of these will be worn during the colder months, particularly the coats and jackets. Others will be worn more or less, such as the blazer and hoodies.