LOOKING HOT IN WINTER
by Opinions Editor Carly Lundy

Winter is upon us, and for those who are slaves to fashion it�s the hardest season to keep up with. As any real Floridian knows, winter just doesn�t happen here � no changing leaves, no snowflakes, no icicles, but this doesn�t mean surrendering to throwing on jeans and a sweat shirt when the thermometer drops below 50 degrees.

In fact designers both couture and standard have made it really easy to be stylish and comfortable all winter long.

This season allows for the wearer to mix and match, vintage jeans and jackets with new sweaters. Keep an eye out for high or empire waist dresses, chiffon baby doll dresses, and straight skirts, knee length or mini. Belted coats are in, whether they be of the knit, military, or corduroy variety. Plaids and corresponding solids make for a great winter look. For something more formal anything with detail and embroidery will work. In bags and shoes camel, chocolate, or black leather can finish off any look with ease and style.

Armani, Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren, and Donna Karan, and the like have featured for their winter collection wonderful natural fabrics like, wool, leather, mink, cashmere, shearling � these fabrics can be substituted with faux furs and pleather, and cotton knits. Country comfort and equestrian styles inspire their lines. Their fabrics are being produced in natural colors that you might see out on a hike in the country like pale gray, charcoal, black, ivory, beige, olive, camel, chocolate, and amber.

This may sound pretty run of the mill, but designers like Chloe by Stella McCartney, Dior by John Galliano, Dolce & Gabbana, Chanel, Prada, and YSL by Tom Ford have produced fun retro lines that reach out to the youthful generation and those who may be a little more conservative.

YSL is using mod suede, black, embroidery and velvet and chiffon gowns. Prada has gone back to the 60�s, with mod empire waist dresses. Dolce & Gabbana has become colorful with Bohemian �70�s, pearl ropes, long suede coats, skin tight hipster pants, prints, embroidery, buckles and baby dolls. Dior is taking a trip to far east with colorful Indian prints, mink, sherpa ponchos, leggings, and fur hats. Chloe is paying homage to the military with her line of military belted coats, faux fur, ruffles and corsets. Lastly Chanel by Karl Lagerfeld is taking to the Alpine slopes in shearling, ice blues, light pink earmuffs, knee high leather boots, and black chiffon baby dolls.

There are three main looks designers are implementing for the blustery months of winter. Military chic: this can be accomplished with a high necked narrow belted coat. In leather or wool, black beige or camel, the coat looks great over knee high leather boots. A simpler option, and certainly more affordable might be a turtleneck and a straight, knee length skirt.

A trip to the country is the motif for the classic winter look. This look can be attained by pairing a high necked, cable knit sweater beneath a leather or wool trench to keep you extra warm. Dark and light tones mix with bold hunting colors like kelly green, royal blue, garnet, chocolate and gold. Bags should have buckles, and the perfect way to finish the equestrian look according to designers is, of course, a ponytail.

The last look, and perhaps the easiest to put into practice is the �urban nomad�. Anything goes here. Coats and suede wraps cover layers of textured knit sweaters, embroidered tops. Prints and plaids mix � however this look isn�t applicable for everyone. Belts, jewelry, and scarves can add the ethnic touch � think Morocco, India, or Tibet. The trick here is to mix and match and inflect your own personal style without looking too chaotic. Buckles, clasps and leather bags round out this look.

The key to this season, as far as fashion is concerned, is to have fun. Pour yourself into wardrobe, this is after all what people�s first impressions are often based on. Mix and match, pull from different styles, don�t go crazy with colors � keep it simple. The next time you flip through the pages of Vogue recognize that you can pick different pieces from different designers and mix them into your own wardrobe so that it is uniquely you.