Winter in Wichita is nothing if not schizophrenic. We went from a white Christmas to an extreme cold snap to springlike temperatures in just a few weeks. While you may be ready to start shopping for shorts, the harsh reality is that spring is still months away. The good news? Now is a great time to stock up on winter essentials; local boutiques like Pink Saloon, Wild at Heart and Eccentricity are having big sales to make room for new spring merchandise.

We’ve already covered men’s winter fashion; ladies, here are some must-haves for your cold-weather wardrobe:

Light layers. That thick wool turtleneck might have been perfect for the subzero days, but most of the time it’s going to make you sweat profusely indoors. Look for thin V-neck sweaters or cardigans that you can layer with blouses and T-shirts. Throw a long-sleeved shirt under a summer dress to stretch it into a second season of wearability.

Tights. Yes, Virginia, you can wear a skirt in January; you just need something more substantial than pantyhose underneath. Stock up on basic black, gray and brown, but don’t be afraid to experiment with red, teal, royal blue or dark purple.

Good boots. And by “good,” I mean you can walk over a thick sheet of ice in them without falling down. Side streets don’t get salted much around these parts, which means a potentially treacherous walk to your car after a chilly night out. Knee-high, ankle-high, leather or synthetic – it’s your call. Just look for a sole with some traction, so you don’t end up in traction at Via Christi.

A fashionable hat. Where I’m from (Wisconsin), a thick hat that covers the ears is a must; here, you don’t really need one for warmth most days, but go without and you risk the Kansas wind murdering your hairstyle. Plus, a cute hat just makes you feel fancy. I bought a floppy wool cloche for 50 percent off a few days ago; it’s perfect for shielding my hair from wind without causing hat head. Other fun styles include newsboy caps, fedoras (think a female Don Draper), and what I like to call “church lady” hats, which you can find by the dozen at any local antique store.

Natural-fiber mittens or gloves. For years, I’ve been a fan of those thin, two-pairs-for-$1.50 acrylic gloves, but they’re slowly stripping every last ounce of moisture from my hands. I’ve learned my lesson: drop a couple more bucks for the good stuff. Better yet, go handmade; grab your knitting needles and whip up a custom pair, or commission a crafty friend to make some for you.

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