Winter warrior dressing
Tips on hottest fashion accessories for cold weather
You don’t have to live at the North Pole to know that winter is a serious challenge to lovers of style and fashion. Any of us living in New England witnesses that every day.
Do you try to find a coat that has a flattering definition to it or just give up and go for an enormous (but warm) puffer? Do you bundle up with multiple scarves and clunky boots, or find one super-warm cashmere scarf and some semi-attractive wedge boots? And please: Don’t even get me started on winter hat head.
So I find the only real solution is learning to layer like a pro. To that end, how about an arsenal of the season’s best, most stylish pieces that go anywhere? The kind that you can stash at the office or in a bag and pull out when needed or switch with something else — all of which will make you the smartest winter warrior around.
For starters, you definitely need a wrap (or three or four) handy. You know those winter days when office temps are finicky, and you get chilly even when you’re wearing a sweater — especially when someone then decides to open a window for “air” even though it’s 10 degrees out. That’s when you reach into your desk drawer and fish out a multitasking number like Garnet Hill’s wool and cashmere throw ($128 at garnethill.com). It’s a bona fide blanket, so drape its incredible super-softness across your lap while you’re sitting at your desk and working on a report. It’s also sized to double as a wrap, so make it one while you’re holding a meeting in the conference room. Better still, you can order one monogrammed with your initials in con- trasting stitching. (I love it in smoky teal.)
Just as versatile, what about throw-over ponchos? The Portland Collar Kimono ($138 at anthropologie.com) is a fresh take on standard ponchos, with its neutral tones (multiple grays, black and white borders stripes). It’s a terrific foil for dresses and skirts, turtlenecks and collared dress shirts alike. The fringe adds a nice personal detail but keeps everything professional. It, too, fits neatly into a work bag, so you can take it with you to your next meeting.
One thing I’ve seen smart friends keep in their closet at work: an inexpensive but stylish faux fur vest. Also great to toss on for a meeting, it’s cozy to walk around in, and adds a fantastic layer that you can just wear over a sweater and beneath an overcoat. One favorite is Tart Collections’ streamlined Kya faux fur vest ($89 at the- outnet.com).
Another option to easily toss on: an infinity scarf. Unlike regular scarves, wearing one doesn’t suggest that you either just came in from the cold or are about to go back outside. They blend incredibly well with almost any outfit and add the look of a cute cowl neck to most tops. I like chunky, handmade ones that lend extra character to my look, like the oversized Knit Infinity Scarf ($38.95 at etsy.com).
Now as to how to solve the age-old problem of which boots to wear all winter … your guess is as good as mine. Let me know if you have any strokes of genius.