By Sasha Moedt (The Cascade) – Email
Print Edition: October 16, 2013
Monday morning, 8 a.m. It’s winter, it’s still dark, and you’re trying to save on the bill so you didn’t turn the heat on. You have class at 8:30 a.m. which mean you have to throw off your blankets, put the coffee on and—the horror—get dressed. The air is biting cold. Jeans are always frigid to slip on. Long-sleeved shirts are too thin. And those sweatpants are looking mighty tempting.
Don’t worry, I’m not going to bash sweatshirts or sweatpants. I think we’ve all had enough of that. But there are options that are far more interesting when it comes to staying stylish, while still feeling like you’re in a warm bundle of blankets so you can get through that early morning class.
There’s the basic law of winter clothes: layering. You can keep your outfits fresh and stylish using various formulas: chunky sweater + scarf + leggings + lined boots. Flannel boyfriend shirt + jeans + leg warmers + heels. Oversized cardigan + loose dress + leggings + flats. Max-skirt + leggings + flats + cardigan. The list goes on, and with a few basic garments in the closet, you’re set for the season.
Accessories might be something you’re missing out on, though. Here are some warmth-giving accessories to focus on this winter.
Leg warmers
They can be knit, they can be bright, and they can tie an outfit together. If you have a busy outfit going on, be careful with leg warmers – it’s better to wear them with a simple outfit. Flats and open heels can really make you cold; body heat leaves from the feet, so the addition of legwarmers really heats things up in the foot department. As a purely aesthetic rule, I’d say don’t wear knit warmers with leggings, and don’t wear legwarmers on bare legs. Like shoes, buy warmers in neutral colours … But also like shoes, you have to have at least one crazy pair to wear now and then. Maybe a Christmas pair?
Earmuffs
You’ll find if your hair is tied up, or you have bare shoulders, you get cold much faster. Like your feet, the head is a place where heat likes to escape. Earmuffs are amazing. Many people find the wind is a killer for your ears – pop on a pair of earmuffs, and you’re good. Granted, they aren’t always stylish—I wouldn’t say anyone would wear them for the aesthetic benefits—and they are tricky to pull off. Avoid the really fuzzy ones if you don’t want to look goofy. Go for plaid or neutral patterns, and find one that doesn’t stick out of your head.
Toques
Toques keep the heat in well. Plus you don’t have to do your hair. But make sure your prof is okay with you wearing them in class. You can be playful with an adorable pom-pom on your head (the person behind you in class will be guaranteed to hate you), classy with a deep red knit, or casual with a trapper hat. Or … you can be Davy Crocket with a raccoon cap.
Scarves and snoods
You can throw them on with practically any outfit. Scarves are extremely versatile. I gravitate towards solid colours and cotton fabric, because they are far easier to match. Wool has a cool, chunky look, however. Infinity scarves (scarves knit into a circle that you wrap around your neck) are useful because you don’t need to adjust – although, is that really an issue with scarves?
Snoods are either a new thing, or something that’s been around for a long time but everyone hated the name so no one talked about it. It’s part hat, part scarf. It looks like a tubular neck scarf when you wear it around your neck, and you can flip it up as a hood – it looks especially nice with a heavy winter jacket.
