10 Wardrobe-Improving Things to Buy in January

Welcome to 10 Things to Buy, a monthly shopping list that helps you to shop smarter by focusing on the ten key items to add to your cart for that month, if your wardrobe is in need of a boost. As a Who What Wear editor for the past eleven years, I've spent many hours advising people on what to shop for during a given season, so you're in good hands. Whether you're in need of items for cold weather, warm weather, vacation, or wedding season, I'm here to offer up the most seasonally appropriate suggestions. Be sure to return at the start of each month for more.

Welcome to January, the month that holds the distinction of being the coldest, longest month of the year. Spring is still months away, but you're probably ready for some fresh new pieces to start the new year (and get you through the remainder of winter). Scroll on to shop the ten trend-forward items and basics that will keep you warm and chic this January.

Elegant Loafers

You'll probably already bought boots in recent months, so I suggest investing in a pair of shoes that'll help you to transition from winter to spring (that you can still wear now when the weather allows). The shoes I'll be ordering next are elegant loafers. You can wear them to work, on the weekends, to dinner, and everywhere in between.

Elevated Quilted Jacket

If you live in (or travel to) a cold climate, owning a puffer is essential, but it's not something I feel the need to replace often. Instead, I'm setting my sights to elevated quilted jackets. I find that I wear these in the winter more than any of my coats, and they work for day or night.

Skinny Pants

2025 is going to be a skinny pants year (according to the S/S 25 runways). With all of the voluminous coats and sweaters we're wearing these days, now is the perfect time to add a new pair to your wardrobe.

Suede Belt

As you know, belts are back, and I've found that wearing one makes even my most simple outfits looks infinitely chicer with zero effort. Suede belts, in particular, look especially rich. I'll be shopping for brown, burgundy, and navy ones in the immediate future.

Boat-Neck T-Shirt

As someone who wears a lot of T-shirts, I'm frequently looking for ways to make them look more elevated. The truth is, it's all about the neckline. And boat necks are especially effective at making a T-shirt (and thus, your entire outfit) look chic. Because it's January, I'm focusing on ones with long sleeves that are easy to layer.

Medium-Wash Straight-Leg Jeans

As far as denim goes, I'm of the thinking that medium wash is the best wash, as it's appropriate for year-round wear and is as classic as it gets. As the fit needle is every so slightly moving from baggy to slim, I suggest adding a fresh pair of straight-leg jeans to your denim collection this month.

East-West Bag

January is a great time to invest in a new bag, and the trend everyone's talking about is east-west bags. The style looks fresh without being too trendy. There are plenty of options on the market at every price point, so finding the perfect one won't be hard.

Colored Tights

By now, you're probably tired of wearing tights. But instead of black ones, I suggest adding chocolate brown, burgundy, gray, red, dark green, or even white ones to the mix. You'll be surprised by how easy they are to style—trust me.

Winter Going-Out Top

Winter going-out tops are tricky, so most of us don't have many of them. Now is a good time to add one to your closet to have on hand for things like winter birthday dinners.

Cashmere Sweater

One of the upsides of January is that unlike November and December, you'll find plenty of cashmere sweaters on sale. It's a great time to stock up, and you still have plenty of winter days left to get immediate use out of them.