Forgotten essentials are cousins of our core essentials, though often overlooked. Worn less frequently but the perfect piece in a pinch, they are the garments we wish we had in a panic, but don’t. Since the best wardrobes are prepared for anything, consider adding these forgotten essentials to yours to ensure you have what you need, when you need it:

1. White jeans
   Each season ushers in a new denim trend — skinny leg, ankle crop, wide leg, trouser cut — though the classic white jean is always forgotten. No matter the cut, white jeans are one of the most styish separates around. They have more range than they get credit for and do, in fact, enjoy year-round versatility. White denim pairs seamlessly with other neutrals like navy, camel, charcoal and olive green, as well as any accent color in the rainbow. They are instant outfit-polishers that make any ensemble look fresh and clean.

2. Kitten heels
   Every woman needs a smart pair of kitten heels. They are polished yet comfy in a pinch, like for formal or semi-formal occasions that require prolonged standing. Pumps, slingbacks or booties, make sure you have a pair in your best dark neutral, light neutral or accent color — or perhaps all three. Consider pairing with fun hosiery like micro-fishnets, jumbo-fishnets or a geometric tone-on-tone pattern to add texture and visual interest.

3. Wool cloak
   The most stylish outerwear silhouette of all, wool cloaks are one-and-done winter wraps that need no styling beyond their draped design. Cloaks combine drama, sophistication and cozy into a single garment, which makes for a powerful fashion statement that’s hard to miss. Consider adding a stack of arm cuffs, beret or belt threaded through the arm slits to finish the outfit. Cloaks are so stylish, yet so overlooked!

4. LRD
   Cousin to the LBD, the “Little Red Dress” is an often forgotten garment that should always be part of a woman’s wardrobe. Red attracts more attention than any other color so, when you want to telegraph a strong message, there needs to be a red dress at the ready. Make sure the hue is complementary to your coloring — bright tomato reds for warm skin tones or bluish oxblood reds for cool ones. Red dresses come in handy for first dates, high school reunions and gatherings where you might see an ex.

5. Velvet blazer
   A velvet blazer should be part of any jacket rotation alongside a peacoat, leather moto and utility jacket. It adds a touch of fancy to any basic outfit like jeans and a t-shirt, instantly transforming ho-hum essentials into a single chic, cohesive look. With or without satin lapels, try a jewel tone velvet blazer like ruby, cobalt or emerald green for a high-impact look, or keep the palette neutral and muted with olive green or burgundy. Reminder that velvet is 100% cotton, which means it travels well.

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