There is a lot of talk about 5 essential things a woman should always have in her closet. But in truth, it’s really hard to make a universal statement. What is essential to a 24-year-old working New York City girl will probably be very different from what is a necessity for a 45-year-old stay-at-home-mom from a small town.

So what you do, and your current age, always matters a lot. In this light, here are 5 essentials for a girl who is currently going to college.

A Go-To Going Out Dress

Whether it is a short, tight bodycon or a flowing, conservative number, the most important feature of this dress is that it should make you feel comfortable and hot and ready to take on anything. The outfit must be of good quality, but it cannot cost so much money that when someone spills cranberry vodka on it you are going to be devastated.

It should flatter your figure better than anything else and it should act as the canvas on which you can create different looks.

A Big Cardigan

Layering is the key when you are in college. Half the time it can be freezing outside when you walk to class, but then it will be uncomfortably hot in the classroom. The real world is like that too. You just cannot wear a super casual massive cardigan in a corporate office. Having a nice slouchy cardigan adds shape and an interesting element to any outfit and it also allows you to layer in up for maximum comfort.

A Good Pair of Boots

A nice pair of flat boots is a college essential. If you upgrade from Uggs to something a little cuter, maybe a nice knee-high riding boot, you can wear these to class, to dinner, even out at night when it’s too icy to wear heels. If you live in a warmer place you can still rock this out with a cute dress.

Perfect Jeans

Finding a pair that fits and flatters your body perfectly is always going to be important. The jeans should be comfortable, hemmed to your desired length and loose enough so that it fits fit comfortably, and yet is fitted enough to flatter your body. Skinny jeans could very well be the best look. You can dress them down with a tee or a sweater for class and pair them with a cute tank top and heels for a night out.

Comfortable Heels

Finding a pair of heels you can actually dance all night is priceless. Even if you have never thought of yourself as a heels girl, keep looking for that one pair. It’s out there. Once you find this pair, buy them in black and nude and wear them all the time.

Look for a chunky heel, and the right fit and a platform at the front. These things will make the shoe way more comfortable. It should be affordable, yet really comfortable.