One of the things I love most about fashion is how you can express your own sense of style and personality through clothing. Therefore, it is so interesting to me how many people follow the trends . So many people love to express themselves through art, music, writing, sports etc...why not express yourself through your clothes?
You do not have to become obsessed with fashion and spend tons of money...think about the overall image you want, and slowly make steady changes in your wardrobe.
Ie- throwing a scarf over your sweater/jacket makes you look *that much more* pulled together.
For wintertime, I find that my staple go to pieces are : Jackets (coats) / Boots with skinny jeans. Such simple pieces. If you have black and brown boots and black and brown jackets- you now have several different outifts that are cute, yet easy to put together. I wear some of the same pieces several times a week, but because of all the different ways I mix it up and different things I wear these items with, most people never notice. For example, how I mentioned having brown and black jackets and boots, one day I may wear a bold red shirt under my black jacket with my black boots and skinny jeans. The reason I say skinny jeans with my boots is bc if you know you are going to be tucking your jeans in your boots, the last thing you want is that bunched up look, so I highly recommend skinny jeans when wearing them inside your boots.
The next time I wear that black jacket, I might just wear it with a frilly black skirt and heels to mix it up. These pieces are great because like I said, they are easy on the eyes yet very practical. A decent leather jacket will keep you WARM and so will your boots. Plus, boots always make me feel sexy. Even the flat ones, as long as they at least hit the knee. Don't get me wrong, I have some short boots, and I like them- I just find that I hardly wear them. They aren't as practical, but that's just for me. I always find myself in the taller boots. A good leather jacket and killer pair of knee boots never go out of style, anyway, so its a good investment to start picking up on these pieces.
Believe it or not but Kohl's carries respectable leather jackets for women, and cheaper leather jackets for juniors.
Macy's has a great selection (online especially) if you are willing to spend a little more. I have a great black trench coat I purchased from Macy's 4 years ago. I wear it every winter, and almost every time I wear it, I have someone ask me where I got it. It still looks great, the style is still the same as this year's coat, with minor adjustments (like the buttons, big deal). But my point is, this coat was a little pricey for me (I believe it came out to 160 or slightly more) but I knew it was a good investment. It was a heavy coat, made with the right material. I needed a good coat to keep me warm in the city, and this coat was perfect. I will be able to wear it for years and years, not just style wise but also wear wise, as I said, very durable coat/good quality.
Vera Wang faux leather jacket available at Kohl's (around $60 I believe) 
I love love my ryder boots, these particular ones here are Madden Girl- "Zoiiee" boot
You do not have to become obsessed with fashion and spend tons of money...think about the overall image you want, and slowly make steady changes in your wardrobe.
Ie- throwing a scarf over your sweater/jacket makes you look *that much more* pulled together.
For wintertime, I find that my staple go to pieces are : Jackets (coats) / Boots with skinny jeans. Such simple pieces. If you have black and brown boots and black and brown jackets- you now have several different outifts that are cute, yet easy to put together. I wear some of the same pieces several times a week, but because of all the different ways I mix it up and different things I wear these items with, most people never notice. For example, how I mentioned having brown and black jackets and boots, one day I may wear a bold red shirt under my black jacket with my black boots and skinny jeans. The reason I say skinny jeans with my boots is bc if you know you are going to be tucking your jeans in your boots, the last thing you want is that bunched up look, so I highly recommend skinny jeans when wearing them inside your boots.
The next time I wear that black jacket, I might just wear it with a frilly black skirt and heels to mix it up. These pieces are great because like I said, they are easy on the eyes yet very practical. A decent leather jacket will keep you WARM and so will your boots. Plus, boots always make me feel sexy. Even the flat ones, as long as they at least hit the knee. Don't get me wrong, I have some short boots, and I like them- I just find that I hardly wear them. They aren't as practical, but that's just for me. I always find myself in the taller boots. A good leather jacket and killer pair of knee boots never go out of style, anyway, so its a good investment to start picking up on these pieces.
Believe it or not but Kohl's carries respectable leather jackets for women, and cheaper leather jackets for juniors.
Macy's has a great selection (online especially) if you are willing to spend a little more. I have a great black trench coat I purchased from Macy's 4 years ago. I wear it every winter, and almost every time I wear it, I have someone ask me where I got it. It still looks great, the style is still the same as this year's coat, with minor adjustments (like the buttons, big deal). But my point is, this coat was a little pricey for me (I believe it came out to 160 or slightly more) but I knew it was a good investment. It was a heavy coat, made with the right material. I needed a good coat to keep me warm in the city, and this coat was perfect. I will be able to wear it for years and years, not just style wise but also wear wise, as I said, very durable coat/good quality.
Vera Wang faux leather jacket available at Kohl's (around $60 I believe) 
I love love my ryder boots, these particular ones here are Madden Girl- "Zoiiee" boot I love a boot with a heel, but these flats are great and easy for every day wear. I save the heel boots for nighttime.