If there is one thing you need during the winter months it’s a winter coat that you adore.
Full disclosure here, I own ALOT of coats. Three Closets full to be exact. My husband calls me the Imelda Marcos of coats. No matter how many I have to choose from, time and time again the coats I reach for to wear are my vintage car coats and box coats.
Is there anything more glamorous than a vintage style wool coat? I think not. They instantly make you feel like you just stepped into an Audrey Hepburn movie. It almost doesn’t matter what you wear underneath it since the polished coat will ensure your overall look is a chic, unique and sophisticated one.
Originally created in the early 1900s, car coats were designed to protect drivers and passengers from the elements when riding in open-top vehicles. These early styles were often long and made from heavy fabrics like tweed or fur.
Balancing both style and practicality, Car Coats hit mid thigh, are simple in design, single breasted, have a collar and are a bit oversized. Whether vintage or new Car Coats create a silhouette that has a cool retro feel.
Womens’ Car Coat tend to be 3/4 sleeve (although they don’t have to be) because back in the day women wore gloves with them when driving.
This low key luxe topper is a MUST to work into your winter wardrobe repertoire.
Remember, if you can only afford to upgrade one piece in your wardrobe, it should be your coat. You make the majority of your first impressions wearing your coat. Whether you are walking in the door for a coffee meeting, heading from building to building or ready for a night out, your coat can make or break your look.
What I’m Wearing: Vintage Car Coat| MODCLOTH Skirt | Ted Baker Sweater | Vintage Belt| HUE Tights | INC Boots| Coach Troupe Crossbody | Scotch & Soda Gloves|
A Fair Isle Sweater instantly conjures up images of cold winter air, rosy cheeks, snowy days, and bundling up by the fire and this season they are at the top of every fashion editor’s wish list.
Shown on just about every F/W19-20 runway, including Celine, Altuzarra Tory Burch, ETRO and Chanel, the classic knitwear style is officially trending for F/W 19-20.
Yep, Fair Isle Sweaters are officially “a thing”.
For those that aren’t familiar with the term- Fair Isle is a traditional knitting technique used to create patterns with multiple colors. It is named after Fair Isle, a tiny island in the north of Scotland, that forms part of the Shetland islands and delivers a perfectly “folksy” vibe.
Fair Isle sweaters have unquestionable style. No garment can single-handedly instantly put you in that cozy chalet chic cabin mood than a good fair isle sweater can.
What I love most about fair isle sweaters is how classic they are. This is a trend that has and will continue to stand the test of time. Just look back at your moms old photos from the 70’s or 80’s and trust me, you will most likely find her rockin’ a fair isle sweater.
Dress them up by pairing with a fun sequin skirt and heels or get that ultimate cozy day feel with boots, a maxi skirt or jeans.
It is a timeless staple piece to have in your closet for winter and one that will stay with you for years to come.
Temps are starting to drop and with lower temps comes one of the biggest style challenges: How to dress warm without looking too bulky.
I love the look of those Instagram famous big over-sized nubby sweaters with the bubble sleeves…..on other people. On me they tend to look like I am gearing up to play an Offensive Lineman position- way too much bulk, and forget trying to layer them with anything or I go full on Stay-Puft marshmallow man status.
Most people think that style has to be sacrificed for warmth and that to really feel comfortable in colder weather, you’ve got to layer up at least three deep on top, and two layers on bottom which often results in a look that resembles the kid from A Christmas Story.
With just a few smart styling tricks and some warmth retaining fabric choices you can choose a look that will not only keep you warm but also flatter your figure and create a slimmer silhouette. It’s about finding the perfect combo that will keep your proportions in check.
My # 1 tip is to choose layers that are less bulky but naturally generate a ton of warmth like silk, cashmere and wool.
Silk is amazing for insulating the body! Not only is it one of the thinnest fabrics around it is also a protein fiber which creates an insulating second-skin that warms to our body temperature. It’s basically a temperature regulator! You can incorporate a silk layer to your look with a silk camisole, silk underwear-style shirt worn underneath your top or a silk scarf!
Believe it or not a cute silk scarf can keep you really warm. It’s tiny but mighty. Even though it might seem like a small delicate thing- silk wrapped around your neck (one of your body’s quickest cooling points), will keep you really warm while looking totally cute and trendy. You don’t have to weigh yourself down with outfit-obscuring layer after outfit-obscuring layer.
Wool and Cashmere are the heavy hitters of warm fabrics.
Wool and Cashmere have the ability to react to fluctuations in your body temperature due to tiny pockets of air within the fibers that circulate heat. This means that wool will keep you warm when your body is cold, and cool when it’s hot. There have been great strides in the past few years in the wool/cashmere industries moving toward more sustainable and cruelty free methods of production. Yes, it really is possible to gather wool in a way that causes no harm or pain to sheep–aka cruelty-free wool, and you can find cruelty free cashmere out there as well it’s called “hand-combed cashmere”. I love cashmere sweaters because they are usually thin enough to tuck into a wool skirt without looking too bulky and they look totally luxe.
Depending on where you live and what the winter season is like you for, you can add additional thin layers to your outfit like an ultra-thin silk underwear shirt, a skin tight camisole or a barely there organic cotton turtleneck underneath the sweater. You can also add some tights to warm up those legs and don’t forget to finish your look off with a belt. The belt will pull everything in, slim you down and create/accentuate your waist.
You’ll be cozy as a little fashion bug-in-a-rug without any bulk!
These tricks probably won’t work when your are up against a Snowpocalypse, but they’ll certainly help to ease your transition from “I love the slight chill in the air” to “Oh, no it’s cold now.” And all without you having to pile on a bunch of awkward layers.
During the cooler months there is nothing better than a warm knit sweater; comfy, cozy and oh-so-versatile.
There’s something so undeniably comforting about pulling a giant knit over your head on days when the windchill feels bone-chilling and instantly experiencing a sensation of wooly warmth.
Oversized is the buzz word this season in everything from jackets to tops and of course sweaters but the tricky part is how to wear an oversized knit without looking “oversized”.
Oversized sweaters typically fall into two categories. One being a boxy, but a shorter oversized fit, and the other being a more straight, but longer oversized fit. If you are shorter in height, like me, you may want to opt for the shorter silhouette styles while taller gals look great in the longer styles.
When it comes to wearing any boxy or oversized top, a good rule of thumb is to keep the bottom half of you looking more tailored. It keeps your look balanced and gives you that effortlessly chic look. Skinny jeans or luxe leggings are always a good option or you can be daring and embrace that edgy/feminine duality and pair your oversized sweater with a girly skirt.
A great way to still give yourself a little shape is to give that knit a tuck. Tuck the front of your sweater into your jeans, pants or skirt but JUST the FRONT.
The front tuck is the perfect way to make oversized tops look more stylish and intentional. It also helps to elongate your legs, so if you’re on the short side, this is a great little trick to know!
Designer Spotlight: Wooden Ships Knits is a family run company that believes in Lean Production, a no-waste approach, all pieces are made-to-order, no stock. Rather than order stock on things they “might” sell, the factory located in Bali produces one Sales Order at a time. There is no wasted time or raw materials on wrong inventory so they can give customers incredible turn around times. A company that is dedicated to both quality and ethical practices they go beyond fair wages and conditions by providing employees with extensive training and opportunities for growth while leaving a minimal carbon footprint.
