This week’s FASHION Magazine Style Panel challenge was all about the number one sartorial dilemma of the colder months. The peril in question, of course, is managing to stay warm with a relatively insulating coat without looking like the Michelin Man. And if you’re anything like me (read: near hypothermic 90% of the time), you can’t mess around when it comes to staying warm during the winter.
Some of you lovelies have very kindly commented on some of my most recent posts that layering is one of my style strengths, and while I think there are tons of bloggers out there who do it much better, I definitely have to commend myself for having strengthened my layering muscles over the past few years. Granted, this was mostly out of necessity rather than being style-conscious, but all the practice did result in me learning a few new favourite styling tricks.
Here’s a recent fave: take some knee-length wool socks and instead of layering them over your skinnies and wearing them bunched around your ankles, stretch them right up to the knee under a pair of thick skinnies (these dark rinse ones from Fidelity are amazingly warm) – not only does it cover that much more skin (and trust me, every square inch of skin covered goes towards upping overall warmth), but if you tie in the colour of your socks with the rest of your look, it works well in adding depth to your outfit.
Layering up on tops is really the best way to go, though: it might not look I’m wearing bulky layers here, but I have on a thin cotton tank top, a cotton 3/4 length sleeve top, a thin cashmere cardigan and my jolly-hued Old Navy coat. The colder it gets, the more I add on (think another T over top of the tank top or another thin sweater underneath the cardigan).
Another thing I always try to do is to pick coats that have at least a hint of colour, or in this particular instance, a whole lot of cherry red. I just find it adds some cheeriness to otherwise boring winter looks.
Check out the rest of this week’s Style Panel tips to see how all the other girls werk their coats in cold temps!
Image via FASHION Magazine
Absolutely stunning! Red is definitely your color 🙂
Great coat! Love the color. You're right, it is great to have a bright color to make winter a little more happy. -Heidi
I love how your jacket tapers in at the waist! That's something I wish my red coat did.
http://theoccasionalindulgence.blogspot.com
great tips – thanks for sharing! that red looks great on you also!!
fashionable footprints
Great tips, although will not work for me… but I must say this is a very good post!
http://sepatuholig.blogspot.com/
very nice look
Kiss
Aurélie
http://www.lespetitesbullesdemavie.blogspot.com
I know I said this already on instagram, but I feel the need to reiterate… do not cut off all of your beautiful hair! Seriously, you will regret it. I hate my short hair so much I'm considering extensions 😛 I digress… you're looking gorgeous as always, pally. Definitely making me think about pulling out my red winter coat!
xox,
Cee
you are so great at layering! love the red coat!
xoxo,
Fashion Fractions
Nice!:)
Seriously great look.
Ginny
mynewfavoriteoutfit.blogspot.com
Like I said on twitter last night I love that coat! Layering can be quit tricky. You def. have a knack for it. Love how you cuffed your jeans for a peak of your socks.
http://fashionistanygirl.blogspot.com/
you look amazing in red! LOVE the outfit!
love the red lips to the coat!:)
I am alll about layering, I get so cold in the winter, and it gets so unbearably cold here. I love thick wool socks like these, I always buy boots 1/2 a size too big so I can wear 2 pairs of thick socks with my boots.
I love the striped top with the bright red coat and those gloves
xJennaD
You really are great at layering, Alex! I usually wear my knee-high socks over but that's a great tip about wearing them under and rolling up the pants legs. I'll have to try it when I'm back in Vancouver as it's much too cold for anything but snow boots here!
xo, alison*elle
I agree with you on colorful coats. I think a good classic red or something rich like an emerald green adds a special something when all around you is covered in blankets of snow. I also love the classic nature of this look with the red coat to the nautical stripes bringing summer right into winter is perfect. I also love the thigh/knee high idea and it is something I used to do in high school a great deal.
Chao
Poppie
http://thepoppie.com
You are definitely great at layering! That coat is beautiful! Great tip on pulling up knee high socks under jeans. On really cold days, I actually wear leggings under my jeans too!
xo Jenny
http://www.crazystylelove.com
Great layering tips – cannot believe the coat is from Old Navy…and love that you paired it with stripes (my favorite)!
http://www.pennypincherfashion.com
You look so happy & glowy 🙂
Love From,
Eat Cake
I love your jacket! Is there a color you don't look good in?!
http://www.daisyraeboutique.com
http://www.kacieskloset.blogspot.com
You look stunning in red! That coat is definitely a beautiful piece, and yes, I love layering always. xx/Madison
you look gorgeous in red! <3
missdanbee.blogspot.com
You look amazing! Perfect fall look and I am in love with your coat! 🙂 x Elma
http://www.reinadelamoda.fashionblogster.com
These are such great tips! Since I'm in Texas, it's hardly ever cold enough to need to layer up so much, so when it gets to be really freezing I am always at a loss for what to wear! This is great advice that I'll definitely be remembering for later in the year. You look gorgeous, and that coat is stunning! Such a great color!
perfect look! that red coat looks amazing on you!
<3
LOOOVE that gorgeous red coat!
xo,
Terry
http://terrys-two-cents.blogspot.com
Your coat is fabulous, another stunning outfit!
I need your wardrobe!
Txx
http://fantasticfunfashion.blogspot.co.uk/
that coat as a very nice color however I adore the necklace!:)very unique!
kisses from Milano
http://sienastyle.blogspot.it/
The red coat is the perfect choice to make it through a long Canadian winter! You look beautiful.
Love the layering tips! And that red coat looks so fabulous on you 🙂
Annie
The Other Side of Gray
Great layering tips! You look stunning,I really like that red coat!
xx
Thanks for the great tips! I have all the items in this look and am totally going to recreate it! 🙂
Love that red coat and great tips! Thank you.
Shannon
bigdreamsandexpensivetaste.blogspot.com
lose the red coat! it looks amazing on you 🙂
xx
Jen
http://www.jennyscribbles.com
Great coat! Red looks fantastic on you 🙂
http://shopaholiconashoestring.wordpress.com/
Super in love with your eye-cathcy red coat!! <3
xx
crunchy cheese me
You are gorgeous! This outfit looks perfect on you! 🙂
http://www.afterflats.com
Nice post! I love your blog;)
Would be great if in Followed each other, do not you think so? 🙂
reni-ferek.blogspot.com
I agree, your layering skills are amazing ! Love it !
My Blog – A Pretty Nest
What a gorgeous red coat! The touch of red lipstick completes it.
aww yu areo so beautiful.. I love how you styled this outfit! Really amazing look!
And the coat is lovely.. great colour!
http://gamesoffashion.blogspot.com/
I loved this entry of Style Panel! I went to the link from Twitter this morning and for some reason I could only see your entry on the mobile site. Lucky yours was first, lol!! Really love the bright red coat. Such a great way to always make sure you wear a fun colour during these dark months.
I'm the exact same when it comes to the cold — I always have at least couple of hidden layers to help keep me warm. I also find that 2 pairs of tights helps and I just saw fleece lined tights at Urban Outfitters! Haven't tried them yet, but I think they sound like they might be the best thing ever made.
Hope you have a good evening!
xoxo Alison
http://www.stylingmylife.com
Gorgeous!
http://shannonhearts.blogspot.com/
Yup, layering is definitely one of your big strengths girl. You do it so well! Love the bright red coat 🙂
Trendy Teal
Love that jacket! You look absolutely STUNNING! xx The Golden Girls
Love the color of your hair. Your blog is great.
Sofia
Stylishlyinlove.blogspot.com
You looking stunning in these red coat.
xo, Petra
http://www.sweetsoflife86.blogspot.com
Love this look – your coat is stunning!
Kate xo petite-aventures.blogspot.ca
You are SO beautiful and I love that red coat! I've been on the look out for a new jacket but haven't found the perfect one yet.