Must haves for me include several pairs of jeans In different washes, white jeans, black jeans, a variety of black pants, several pairs of ankle boots/booties, various weight sweaters, jackets, layering tees in white, black and burgundy/red, multiple bag options, and lots of shoes!

Not must haves are turtlenecks, khaki trench, ballet flats, cardigans, and pencil skirts.

Regarding the trench coat, I have three.

1. A black, unlined one that's very lightweight and great for rainy HOT days. It also takes up very little room in a suitcase or laptop bag. I got it from BR years and years ago. It is like the equivalent of having one of those emergency pouch raincoats, except it has trench styling and looks dressier, not like gear. But it is useless in winter/fall, or a cold spring day.

2. A cream one - can't remember the brand. I would wear this a lot more but the material is rather stiff. The fit is okay but not my ideal.

3. A herringbone BR trench that I adore, it's completely waterproof and great for rainy days, looks very nice. I reach for this one the most. I just wish it was lined, then I'd get a lot more use out of it.

This may be the year I invest in a Burberry with removable lining. But it won't be beige - it'll be more of a cream. Burberry appeals not just because of quality, but because they provide free alterations, so perhaps I can get the fit just right. The petite blogger over at Alterations Needed writes about this; she has a couple of Burberry's so I have hope....

For me, fit is top priority with a trench. As a petite a trench can easily swamp me, the details may be too large for scale (especially those darn epaulettes which can make me look like a line backer), the belt will hit in the wrong place, etc. Then comes color (no soul-sucking beige). Then comes fabrication. I have had luck with BR petites on the first two.

Heh. My trench is fuschia! (*waving at April*)

I do have a white button-down but it doesn't get a ton of wear. My black turtleneck has been a surprising workhorse and I'd count it as a must-have.

Other must-haves for me:

Pencil skirts in every color
High heeled pumps in every color
Blazers in every color
Handbags in every color

Do you see a pattern emerging?

Must haves;
Black pants one hemmed for flats, one hemmed for a 2 inch heel
White tee shirt, good enough to wear to work
Black flats
Black pumps with 1.5 or 2 inch heel
Basic blazer, one for winter, one for spring/summer
Bag big enough to try a file folder and or an iPad into
Dark wash straight leg jeans
Long puffer coat
Umbrella

Really,everything else is a want. By that I mean,I with what I listed above, (and the proper undergarments), I could theoretically go and do everything I need to.

I actually adore my trench coat, a stone colored BR one, but I only get to wear it a few weeks in spring and fall. The rest of the year the weather is all wrong for it.

My essentials will depend on the season. Right now it is
- knitwear, particularly sweaters in various cuts and colors: Black, navy, grey, burgundy, honey gold, cobalt.
- dressy trousers
- dark wash straight jeans
- black pencil skirt
- navy or pinstirpe blazer
- cashmere or other woolen scarves
- parka/puffer
- Snow boots
- Chelsea boots
- wool tights
- sheath dresses

- beanie

-gloves/mittens

- and the white button down for layering

Hmm, I've thought of a few must-haves for me :

A trench coat

White straight leg jeans

Dark denim straight leg jeans

A padded winter coat

Knee high boots

Booties

Converse.

A couple of roll neck sweaters.

Thick tights in various colours

Slightly-above-knee skirts, either straight or slight A-line

I probably have more but thats a few off the top of my head.

Must haves:

I need a variety of coats and jackets in our four-season climate with its hot, sticky summers and cold winters. I love my trenches, denim jackets, puffers, dressier wool winter coats and leather jackets.

Extremely comfortable boots and shoes -- though I don't want them to *look* like comfort shoes. No "sitting shoes" for me, no matter how pretty.

Camis -- at least until necklines come up a bit -- and layering tees

Handbag -- never leave the house without it

Jeans, white in summer

Pullover sweaters

Either very slim, lightweight silver hoops or small pearl studs, because I don't like the look of my empty pierced earlobes

Things I generally don't do: pumps, flats, oxfords, heels over about 2-1/2", blazers/jackets, khaki or beige, white tees, black jeans, shorts, leggings (except occasionally under skirts), belts, florals, handbag collections, gold jewelry, "classic" pearls. Have sneakers for walking/sports only, not streetwear.

Must-haves: jeans, black and richly colored long and short sleeve tees for layering (no white), boots and bootlets, a variety of stylish walkable city shoes and sandals, tights, raingear jacket/windbreaker, zippered fleece tops, silver jewelry of all sorts.

Skirts and dresses must be knee-length or somewhat shorter, with a few maxis mainly for hot weather comfort. Also for summer: gauzy and/or sheer tops and shirts.

As for colors, gray is becoming my main neutral must-have, replacing
black--but I still love and wear black. (Have also brought on many browns
and purples, colors I didn't really wear until about 10 years ago.)

LBDs: I have several. But here on the west coast, I haven't had a lot of opportunity to wear them. That's OK; they're all vintage/thrifted and can stay in reserve until called on.

My trench coat is black and of not-so-classic cut, essential for any bad-weather professional meeting. (I have dispensed with the belt, epaulet thing and double-breastedness, all formulas that are tricky on a short-waisted, busty petite.)

I have some white button-ups, always have...oddly enough, used to wear some in high school that I LOVED. I'm bustier now and don't have to dress up for work, so I haven't worn them much lately. I can wear them far better than I can a white tee though!

(Mostly) From Angie's list of classics:
Must haves: Cardigan, pencil skirt, a-line skirt, trench-like coat, flat closed toe shoes, flat sandals, cream top, tights.
Not must haves, but do have: Cream soft button-down (not crisp white), flat riding boots, striped tee, pearl choker.
Not must haves: Pants/jeans/dress pants, blazers, LBD, beige top, black turtleneck, high heels, basic pumps, ballet flats, loafers, straight/skinny leg pants, peacoat, wool coat, stud/hoop earrings.

I can't get enough trenchcoats (for all seasons), blazers, button front shirts (white and other colors and prints, crisp or silky), pencil skirts, jeans, pumps, boots, and tights.
Wrap dresses and A-line skirts also get a lot of wear.
Need mid thigh length shorts, flat sandals and stretchy t's in summer.
Could live without ballet flats and trousers.
Never wear turtlenecks.

My must haves: in winter, tailored jackets (tweed, print, or something to add life to my next must have....) dark wash bootcut jeans; black trousers. In summer, shirtdress style dresses in prints or colors that are easy to accessorize. Ankle boots for winter; sandals for summer. Many things that used to be "must haves" for me have gone by the wayside due to life and body changes--the big one being button front shirts. Love em but they don't love my bust back :(. I have a trench coat in white, but seldom have cause to wear it.

Must haves: scarves. In two seconds a scarf will dress any casual outfit up, whether it's jeans and a t-shirt, a skirt and a sweater, or black pants and a denim jacket. Scarves scarves scarves. Scarves.

What a great resource! Glad to hear that plenty of other people get along fine without the so-called must have 'white button down shirt'! I never have been able to make that work...! Do you have a functional equivalent for it? I have been looking for something that would work for a big-busted apple and have struck out.

Trench coats don't work for me both because of color and fit, and I don't own a little black dress. Lately. to make it easier to find what works for me, I've shifted to categories of must haves, such as finding a mid season coat and more general occasion dresses. Personal must haves - black pants, tee shirts, turtlenecks, flats and pencil skirts.

It is so funny to see the wide range of must haves. My current must haves for my very casual lifestyle - dark wash jeans (straight and bootcut), tanks for layering, knit tops, denim pencil skirt, ballet flats, and flat boots. I would love to find a white button down but I have found knits so much easier to fit my shoulders and bust.

Must haves: Skinny jeans, black heels, flats, leggings, leather jacket, black boots, and white tee.

Don't wear: Anything with patterns, mom jeans,

Must haves:
Thick and thin belts for dresses.
Slips-nude and black

Must-haves:
boots
l/s tees
jeans (straight leg and baby boots)
stud earrings (I wear hoops and small dangles regularly, but most days find me with my small diamond studs)
watch

I rarely wear much else.