Tips on staying chic in the cold.
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Above images of Celine, Aldo and Chanel.
Your coat is the building block of your winter wardrobe—which means you need to both love it and wear it with Blake Lively-worthy confidence. What it doesn’t mean is that you have to splurge on a new one every year just to meet shifting style standards. Don’t worry, we’ve got your back—literally. Read on for five tips on how to give last year’s topper the ultimate fashion-forward revamp.
Tailor it
An excellent tailor is like a Friday night glass of cabernet: Absolutely essential. A tailor can bring in the waist, take out the sleeves, adjust lapels, or transform a staid three-quarter length coat into a flirty knee-length one. (The fall runways offer competing inspiration: Chic and short at Rag & Bone versus long and voluminous at Celine.) Pitching for the short side? The trendy capelets and cropped shearling coats at Anthropologie—the sartorial equivalent of a grand slam.
Belt it
The belting craze continues, and with good reason: The emphasis on the waist creates a lovely—and flattering—feminine silhouette. Nipped waists abounded on the runway, most spectacularly at Burberry Prorsum, where impeccable navy jackets featured gold chains acting as delicate, fashion-forward belts. Embrace that inventive spirit by adding a belt in a contrasting hue (cherry red on navy, soft brown on forest green). Don’t be afraid to play with texture—and expectations. Raffia may seem like a summer-only option, until you see it encircling a snow-white winter coat. Advantage, risk-takers.
Go for gloves
Looking for a ladylike touch or just a hint of rocker glam? Make a subtle statement with a perfect pair of gloves, which pull double duty this winter: They keep you warm while raising your style score to red-hot. Anything goes: Bows add sweetness; tassels, personality. Aldo’s classic elbow-length style recalls the elegance of a young Grace Kelly, while Danier’s ultra-cool leather gloves with chain metal detailing are fit for a modern-day Joan Jett.
Find out how to style your coat with fur and colour on page 2...
