When the wind howls and the temperature tumbles, there`s no need to bundle up in heavy winter wear that renders you immobile-not to mention about as fashionable as the Michelin Tire man. This season`s styles pull double-duty, keeping you warm and chic.
No doubt you`ve been told that loose layers afford the best protection against the cold. After all, they trap heat, insulate against the icy air and allow an add-and-subtract flexibility. But this year, layers serve not only a practical purpose, but also a fashionable one. Forties-inspired sweater combinations, in soft and lightweight wool or cashmere, are key components of this season`s looks.
”What`s very important is monochromatic layering-coordinating scarf, turtleneck, cardigan and skirt or pants,” says Mary Anne Cook-Terrasse, fashion spokeswoman for Chicago`s Lord & Taylor store. ”It takes you to the office, and when you get there all you have to do is take off the cardigan and scarf. These fabrics are very luxurious-cashmere, wool blends and wool.”
Soft, understated neutrals are the colors of choice, she adds.
Another of the season`s hottest looks-long skirts-provide warmth as well as up-to-the-minute style, says Christine Gentry, a Bloomingdale`s fashion spokeswoman.
Ankle boots coordinate well with long skirts, offering visual weight to balance the length of the skirt. ”We`re seeing wonderful rugged lace-up boots . . . that not only go with jeans but also with the new long skirts or with trousers,” Gentry says. When boots are teamed with opaque tights or thick socks (cotton or wool are warmest) they`re a combination to counter any chill. Knee-high boots in crayon brights can also add a cozy and practical accent to your attire.
As far as keeping your hands toasty, wool or leather gloves-the latter lined in cashmere or wool, or a special insulating fiber-are top options. This season there`s a multitude of snappy fake fur and animal print choices to help accent your outerwear.
And when you`re heading out into the elements, don`t forget a hat.
”You can lose as much as 70 percent of total body heat from your head when you`re at zero degrees (Farenheit),” says Dr. Jerrold Leikin, associate medical director of emergency services at Chicago`s Rush Presbyterian St. Luke`s Medical Center.
(Since there`s no fat on your scalp, there`s no insulation and blood easily looses its warmth.)
So headgear`s a must-from a wool baseball cap to a felt fedora to this season`s favorite, the beret.
Still, how can you keep warm and yet avoid the dreaded hat-hair affliction (the flattened, disheveled tresses that can sometimes result from wearing a chapeau)? The solution is to use a large, loosely-draped scarf to cover the head, and wind the excess around the neck and shoulders.
ACCESSORIES THAT CHASE THE CHILL
These products can help you conquer the cold-with panache:
If you fall in love with beautiful leather gloves without sufficient lining, buy them a size larger than usual and wear warm glove liners, such as the Prolite brand ($7) sold by the Early Winters catalog (800-458-4438).
Ditto for warming feet. Pop chill-chasing booties, such as Puddle Runners ($17.95), from Early Winters, into your boots.
Can`t see because the frigid air`s causing your glasses to frost? Keep your lenses clear with Zooke, ($7.95), a de-fogger, also available from Early Winters.
Tame dry, flyaway hair, with Rusk`s Sheer Brilliance ($10), a non-oily solution made of silicone that helps keep hair follicles flat. In salons, or call 800-321-7875.
Where to buy:
Adrienne Vittadini Collection lambswool cardigan, $250, lambswool turtleneck, $105, and lambswool wrap skirt, $190, taupe Sesto Meucci suede pumps, $140, DKNY opaque tights, $8.50, all from Lord & Taylor. Sporto Thermolite water-proof boots, $39.98, animal print hat, $48, animal print leather gloves, $148, and berets, $12 each, all from Bloomingdale`s. Red military-inspired down anorak, $110, and chamois gloves with fleece lining, $78, from Nordstrom. Red Cougar short patent leather boots, $39.99, from Marshall Field & Co. Red English wool wrap, $78, and red leather belt, $38, from Ann Taylor. Prolite glove liners, in navy or purple, $7, and Puddle Runners neoprene booties, $17.95, all from Early Winters catalog, P.O. Box 4333, Portland, Ore., 97208-4333, 800-458-4438.
