It’s that time of the year again- at least for most of us- when the leaves begin to change colors and we need to put on an extra layer or two before going out. It’s also my favorite type of weather in terms of getting dressed- big coats, winter boots and lots and lots of layering. Half the fun of getting dressed is layering! Here are some helpful hints on staying warm when it isn’t outside.
Invest in a Good Coat
Your best defense against the cold is a good coat. Wool coats are a great investment. For aesthetic reasons I love crazy voluminous coats, but besides that they’re great because you can layer like crazy underneath without looking lumpy or puffy.
Layer Effectively
Lulu wrote about layering a little while back which I’ll just add to. Do your base layering with garments that fit close to the body (that’ll keep you nice and warm) and then top off your outfit with a couple looser fitting pieces or pieces with volume and a warm coat. Don’t get too carried away with your layering though! If you go inside and end up taking off your coat you don’t want to look like your closet vomited all over you.
Double Up on Tights/Leggings/Socks
When it gets really icy out, one pair of tights doesn’t cut it. In the winter, I’ve usually got 2-3 pairs of tights/socks on at any given time. You can also layer pairs of tights/leggings/socks underneath jeans/pants for extra warmth. Look for thick sweater tights, they’ll keep you the warmest.
Protect Your Feet
Do your feet a favor and wear boots/booties/oxfords. Unless you’ve got some hardcore feet that can weather the cold, avoid sandals or any shoe with an open toe. Cold toes are no fun.
Here I’ve got on a warm wool coat, an American Apparel cardigan and dress (under which I’ve managed to add two more layers), two pairs of tights, a pair of warm wool socks, and a pair of nearly-knee-high boots. Plenty warm.
My favorite Sartorialist shot is a perfect example of a great cold weather look.
-Camille
