10 winter layering fashion essentials every woman should own

Choose a pair of skinny jeans in a goes-with-anything color like black or dark blue and you'll be in the clear. Running errands? Tuck them into a pair of boots. Lunch with the girls? Borrow a page from Ashley Madekwe's style playbook and wear them with ballet flats and a leather jacket. And if you're heading out for a night on the town, pointy-toe heels and a drapey top will be your go-to look.

Nothing says off-duty prep like Kristen Stewart's crewneck cashmere sweater and blue oxford combination. Not your cup of tea? The wardrobe mainstay also goes with everything from skirts and printed trousers to leather pants and shorts.

This easy-to-style shirt is not only the ideal layering piece, it also works almost any time of year. Beyoncé wears a hot pink tee on its own with wide-leg pants, but as the temperature drops, you can wear it as base under a chunky sweater.

Sick of the same old white button-down? Sub in a chambray blouse and spice things up! Make like Emma Stone and do denim on denim with a pop of color for a modern version of the Texas tuxedo.

From October to March, your outerwear is the first thing that everyone sees, so why not make a statement? Olivia Palermo's jacket adds a pop of color to an otherwise neutral-hue outfit.

Warm and chic—two qualities we look for in cold-weather footwear—come together with the perfect pair of knee-high boots. Pippa Middleton's style is excellent for trolling the weekend farmers' market, while stacked-heel versions are appropriate for dressy occasions.

For those days when you simply cannot imagine pulling on another pair of pants, go for a sweaterdress. Choose a formfitting one, or rock a more relaxed version like Ashley Tisdale's with the aforementioned layering essential knee-high boots.

Whether you choose a zigzag pattern similar to Jessica Chastain's or a classic leopard print, a printed scarf is sure to function as your windy-day BFF.

Naya Rivera's flawlessly tailored version of this closet workhorse fits in at both the office and a cocktail party after work. Pair a shift dress with a bright bag and look-at-me pumps to complete the sophisticated outfit.

Less masculine than a boyfriend blazer and more polished than a leather jacket, a tuxedo jacket can be layered over a gown, worn with a blouse and shorts, or paired with matching pants to make a killer suit, like Janelle Monae's.