In Newport news, winter weather can be incredibly varied. One day, it can be 26 degrees with streets packed with snow, then 65 degrees and sunny the next. There’s no exact way to pack for returning to campus after winter break due to the wide range of weather-appropriate options. Most students throw on their North Face jackets and L.L. Bean boots and venture towards their next meal or class in whatever conditions Mother Nature hurls at them. Without resorting to just wearing a marshmallow-like winter coat to brave the weather, layering in this type of setting can be incredibly challenging, and doing that in a fashionable and uncomplicated way is even more so. This Fashionisto’s outfit makes great use of layering weather-appropriate pieces with a good color palette while avoiding looking drab or venturing into REI-level territory.
Despite the dark color scheme, this Fashionista’s ensemble has a much more grounded quality than you might see at first glance. The gray, long-sleeved T-shirt and boots pair well together, and their different shades are balanced out by the darker ones of his black jacket and dark blue cargo pants (which add a muted splash of color to the look). The variety of textures in this outfit are also ones that make it work well; the jacket’s waterproof outer layer, for example, is much more defined than the lighter, tufty faux-fur lining of its hood. The pants retain a modern quality from their slim fit, contrasting the notion that all cargo pants are billowing canvas monstrosities (these are in a woven stretch fabric) and can’t have an updated, simpler appearance. The boots and shirt have softer textures from their respective suede and cotton materials, giving the outfit a cozier and more winter-appropriate feel.
However, the practical aspects of these pieces shouldn’t be completely overlooked. The boots’ rubber treads make them perfect for walking across damp, post-snow sidewalks and parking lots without losing your footing. The sweater and pants are items that can be easily dried if the wearer, perchance, fall into a nearby snowdrift or similar weather-induced inconvenience; they’re also comfortable because of the lighter drape they have on the body. The coat is perfect for winter weather because of its durable outer layer, which keeps you more insulated from outdoor chill than a lighter jacket. Its buttons add more security to the garment and are easier to open than the zipper-or-Velcro-laden coats that seem to awake from their slumbers in many people’s closets for the few cold months that they’re needed every year. The hood is also insulated by it’s faux-fur lining, which will keep any Fashionisto cozy and ward off the cold as he travels between classes in the wintertime.
Hope all of you Fashionista/os stay warm this season and have an enjoyable (and fashionable) start to your spring semesters!
