Oh dear, is it such a faux pas to not own a trench? Lol. I have no shortage of knee-length coats, both dressy and casual, to fill that particular niche. And it's not that I don't like trench coats -- they're really classy -- but they always come with a belt, and a belted coat never, ever works on me. I'm not exactly sure why, but I suspect it has something to do with my small stature and short waist.

As for the little black dress and tummy issues: I can completely understand what you're saying, even though you are very tiny and have no tummy that I can discern in pictures! But that's not the reason I don't wear little black dresses. I just don't seem to have acquired one, and am not feeling the need to fill that particular wardrobe hole, because it's occupied by other things. But I feel really good about my tummy at the moment. Let me explain:

I did used to have tummy issues -- major, yet unfounded ones -- in my teens/early 20s. Got over it by mid-20s. Then had two babies, and the second pregnancy left behind an enormous uterine fibroid that made me look four months pregnant. I had it for four years. All my tummy issues came back, but this time I wasn't imagining them! It was the size of a five month pregnancy by the time I had it surgically removed last year. Now that it's gone, all my issues have truly evaporated, even though my tummy is no flatter than it was in my 20s. It's all comparison! I am so grateful not to have a huge, hard, bloated fibroid belly, that just a normal belly feels like a blessing, even though I doubt it will ever be dead flat.

1. The Blazer
I'm obsessed with Blazers right now! I don't have any expensive ones just several from stores like Ross, Forever 21 etc

2.Trench Coat
I got my favorite trench from Macy's last year towards the end of Winter. It is by Guess but was marked down insanely. It is fushia and perfect for that pop of color drab fall/winter looks need! Added bonus is that it matches my Rose Pop Louis Vuitton Alma bag perfectly!

3. The LBD
I have several LBDs. Even though I have so many good ones I always end up getting more because they are so flattering and versatile. My favorite LBD is Black Lace from http://www.Amiclubwear.com

4. The Perfect Jeans
This took me some time to find but I finally did it! I'm head over heels for my new Hudson Jeans from Nordstroms. They are medium high rise skinny cut jeans. I get compliments on them all the time, which I was not expecting but I'm ok with that.

5. The Bag
I'm a bit of a bag lover. For the past few years my obsession has been anything big from Louis Vuitton. Lately I have been leaning more towards small bags that are not necessarily designer. I like my small pink Tory Burch clutch but I'm just crazy about this new clutch that I just bought...http://www.imhaute.com/Accesso.....21-BK-BLK/ I would love to own the Alexander McQueen version but lately work has been slow so I need to throttle my shopping budget. :-/

At this moment in time mine are:

Blazer - Not a blazer, but a ruffle-front moto-style jacket of light weight grey twill with subtly shiny abstract splotches of silver and black. It's been getting a lot of wear during the unseasonably warm weather we're having and adds pizazz to my black black and more black wardrobe.

Trench - While I have a standard issue black trench (waiting to be shortened) my coat of the moment is a silky black hip length jacket with some trench detailing. But it has a zipper instead of buttons, and a ruffle around the neck and down the front to hide the zipper. I bought it to fill the need for a light weight dressier topper, and I'm wearing it much more often than I thought I would. What a surprise that I, who am not all about ruffles, have 2 ruffled items on my Maginificent Five list!

LBD - At age 61 I've never had one and haven't felt deprived. My version of the LBD is flowy black pants with a dressy top, or a black pencil skirt with a white tunic shirt and dressy accessories a la Angie's semi-formal tunic shirt outfit from a few years ago. Still one of my favorite Angie outfits!

Perfect Jeans - Vanilli dark wash, high-rise, straight leg jeans with zippered front pockets. I feel very long-legged when I wear them, and they hold their shape through multiple wearings. Sadly no one sees the cute zipper detail because I never ever tuck, but those little zippers make me happy!

Bag - This is where I'm lacking. My almost-everyday winter bag is a large black leather tote that I got at JJill a couple of years ago. It suits me because I'm not into blingy bags, but I wish I had something a bit more interesting. I do have a cute red textured clutch for dressy occasions, but it's too small to carry for day.

Thanks for starting this thread...it's been fun seeing how others have personalized these 5 "must-haves"!

Elizabeth, what a story! Thank you for sharing it. I am so sorry for what you went through. 4 yrs is too long! I know, I had one too, surgically removed too, doesn't it feel better? And even if I don't have a tummy, it's just a psychological thing. I'm working on it though. Your story helps.

Katielove: Do you have one workhorse blazer though this season? And fushia trench! How lucky is that? And what a cute clutch too. BTW Thanks for the LBD link, I love everything there!

Bionda, your version of a LBD sound so pretty! I'd love to see it. Pencil skirt + white tunic shirt, han? Hmmm..... I think I may copy.... And I'm 100% with you on the dark wash, high rise jeans thing. Don't they make one feel at their best? For a long time I was like you bag wise. One, reliable, dark, non frilly one. Then I "took the plunge". I bought tasteful yet cheaper version of crazier bags. I made some misses, but not a lot considering, and it has upped my outfit a lot in terms of style and trend. You should try it!

Elizabeth, what a story! Thank you for sharing it. I am so sorry for what you went through. 4 yrs is too long! I know, I had one too, surgically removed too, doesn't it feel better? And even if I don't have a tummy, it's just a psychological thing. I'm working on it though. Your story helps.

Katielove: Do you have one workhorse blazer though this season? And fushia trench! How lucky is that? And what a cute clutch too. BTW Thanks for the LBD link, I love everything there!

Bionda, your version of a LBD sound so pretty! I'd love to see it. Pencil skirt + white tunic shirt, han? Hmmm..... I think I may copy.... And I'm 100% with you on the dark wash, high rise jeans thing. Don't they make one feel at their best? For a long time I was like you bag wise. One, reliable, dark, non frilly one. Then I "took the plunge". I bought tasteful yet cheaper version of crazier bags. I made some misses, but not a lot considering, and it has upped my outfit a lot in terms of style and trend. You should try it!