At times, staying on trend in the winter can seem as challenging as keeping resolutions to be bikini ready by March and making it to the gym on January 1st, post late night new year's reigning in.  Add to this the restrictions of a typical 20 something’s minuet shopping budget and it’s a miracle that there are not seas of girls roaming the streets in flannels and sweats.  However, similar to how the prospect of looking smoking hot while running into your ex at the beach can motivate hitting the treadmill, knowing the latest trends at more reasonable price points motivates us not to give up hopes of being a winter fashionista just yet.  In attempt to keep our streets PJ free, I've compiled 10 winter trends that will add style to your wardrobe, not dollar signs to your credit card bill…

1. Leaping (Faux) Leopard Coats: Though there are few things worn by Mary Kate Olsen that is transferable to real life wardrobes, the look of the leopard coat is not one of them.  Faux leopard outerwear is leaping of everywhere this winter and with an added splash of fierce meets classic there is no doubting why.  Adding a faux leather coat, jacket, or vest to your wardrobe takes away the gilt of donning all black on the coldest of winter days and provides a certain j’ne se qua to every fashionista’s winter wardrobe as she goes from day to night.  
2. Colorful Gloves of Leather, Faux Fur Hats, & Bright Chunky Neckwear: Who amongst us is not scarred by childhood memories of attempts to avoid donning a humiliating winter hat?  Well, now you can breath a sigh of a relief, as there are a variety of trends that will boost your ego while keeping all of your extremities toasty.  Stylish faux fur pillbox hats and a variety colored leather gloves from Urban Outfitters offer protection from the cold that does not require abandoning individual style.  Accompany this with a bright chunky scarf and you will be stylishly hot to trot and left wondering "old man winter, who?"
3. Banded Skirts: Talk to a girl in a banded skirt and dress and she will confirm one thing for sure.  This is that one’s you gone banded you will never go back.  Flattering and comfortable, banding is a one-stop fashion fix for all ladies interested in looking their best while staying on trend.  A favorite of Rihanna, Kristin Cavallari, and Nicole Richie, the brand, Pleasure Doing Business, offers the above-featured skirt in five simple colors for the less $88.  Other options include banded skirts by Bloomingdales, priced around $50.
4. Structured Shouldered Little Black Dresses:  Structured shoulders are back and I for one am on board with any garment that can pull this trend off while successfully keeping me from looking like a linebacker.  For this reason, I am super psyched to present Silence and Noise’s chic and sexy structured shoulder dress.  With an expensive aesthetic and not so expensive price tag of $58, this long sleeved number easily dresses up or down and will carry you through the winter. 
5. Back Seam Tights:  The best way to stay in style (and from freezing your butt off) this winter while running around in the short skirts and dresses of the season are back seam tights.  The trendiest of this winter’s warm leg wear, back seam tights are S squared: bound to be any girl’s sophisticated and stylish BFF for both play and work.  
6. Ruffles & Embellishments: A feminine trend that will keep you from feeling like a lumberjack amongst your winter layers? Lots and lots of ruffles and embellishments.  Whether it is on a more rustic plaid or dressier silk ruffles make the grade as one of winter girliest trends. While tasteful embellishments add festivity and keep your winter layers from being anything but boring.  Check out MM Couture’s embellished sweater for $88, along with The Gap’s various options ranging in price from $40 to $60. 
7. Sequins & Studding:  Realizing that the idea of sporting sequins and studs can come across as a daunting task to some, I assure you that these shiny and eye-catching trends are the perfect accent to the dull and monotone backdrop of winter. While everything from studded blazers to boots popup everywhere this winter, stylish pieces, like Silence and Noise’s sequined cardi jacket for $68, prove that sporting this trend does not have to mean looking like a disco ball (something I, myself, do not actually appose to…)
8. Military Jackets: This fall it seamed as if military jackets where everywhere and the same goes for this winter.  The military jacket is a fun yet tame trend that offers the versatility and freedom of warmer month’s denim and canvas jackets.  The BB Dakota jacket, featured above, is a fave of Taylor Swift’s and available in both black and cream for the relatively reasonable price of $78.  Sharing a wardrobe item with pop princess for less than $80? How couldn’t that get our feet marching towards this trend this winter?
9. Classic Plaids & Cable Knits: Cable knits sweaters and plaids are go to staples for winter that rarely go out of style.  Thus for years to come, you will be forever grateful for Integrating these classic trends into your closet for winter.  Whether it be juxtapose a trendy faux fur hat or banded skirt, or simply with jeans and boots these classic staples make dressing for a trendy winter effortless.
10. Over the Knee Boots & A Time to Accessorize: What better way to accent your face ensemble, classic or uber trendy, day or night, than with this winter’s leading footwear trend, the over the knee boot.  Refined styles make it easy for over the knee boots the perfect trendy compliment to any stylish outfit.  While busy getting endless wears out of the boots you are sure to live in all winter long, it also helps to stay on trend with other endlessly rewearable accessories, jewelry. Mix mediums, such as gold, silver, studding, meshed metals, gems, and pearls dominate this winter’s jewelry trends.  Integrating stylish and affordable pieces into your daily style can do wonders to add depth to and transform your fave little black dress into a complete look with a polished edge.