When the weather outside turns frightful, as it always does this time of year in the Northeast, it’s time to bundle up. One of the best parts of wintertime layering is the extra fashion opportunity it provides: every day, you get to pick out both an outerwear ensemble and a regular indoor outfit. Twice the fun and creativity! But there’s an added style challenge here, too, because now you have to coordinate the different pieces of both outfits. You may be thinking, wait, do I really need to coordinate my scarf and gloves with the blouse underneath? The answer is a resounding yes. To prove my point, think of a chilly lecture hall. You want to keep your hat on—your ears are cold—but the hat clashes with the color or pattern of your sweater. Your only options are to shiver or mismatch. Dismal. Now imagine the I’m-late-for-class sprint across campus. You’re working up a sweat, so you unzip your fuchsia parka—to reveal the orange shirt underneath. Not a fashion highlight.
I caught up with this Fashionista, who was doing her cold weather layering in style. She has gone for a neutral palette, using gray as the coordinating color for her outer and inner outfits. The sequin flower on her hat picks up on the floral theme of her lacy shirt. The bright red gloves give a welcome pop of color. To complete her look, this Fashionista has added leather booties, as well as a bracelet and necklace made from the inner workings of vintage timepieces.
What is your STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK? “You look your best when you’re physically comfortable in what you have on. For me, climate-control is a big part of that comfort factor. So in the winter, I make sure I love what I’m wearing for indoors and for outdoors—and that they go great together. Then I’m free to mix it up throughout the day.”
