Weather gear

Sundance is over. There was something about a football game. We are officially over winter and ready for skirts, dresses and the ability to freely wear heels without worrying about scary ice patches. Our body’s are craving a mid-winter dress and warmth.

All hail the winter piece that keeps on giving! We found – or are reporting on – yet another way to way your still bitchin’ fur vest. And your light weight, warmer weather appropriate leather bomber for that matter. Celebs, models and beautiful French women roaming the streets of Paris pair their fancy – see also: staple – dresses with their faux animal top pieces for both style and warmth.The infinite amount of looks you can create will give your sluggish winter brain a refreshing shot of creativity as you can use just about any winter-appropriate dress in your closet. Use your cotton dresses for a more casual look and your fancy frocks with fur for a night on the town. Jason Wu paired his faux fur with a navy band aid dress during Fall 2009 ready-to-wear collection and celebs like Olivia Palermo, Kate Moss, Blake Lively and so on and so forth. Just remember, to choose a less restrictive piece of outerwear to accommodate your frock and faux underneath.

Emma Dinzebach

Warm then cold then warm then cold, so what’s a girl to with her wardrobe? Well layer. (Um, duh.) But being selective with your layering is a skill involving a strong mixture of textures and colors. Tights, leggings and zip cardigans like the one on model Shelia Marquez (left) make great layering pieces. Rather than getting trapped in shirt, cardigan, leggings, boots routine, spice it up with color and most importantly, texturize.

A tunic over leggings pairs nicely with a long sweater. For colder weather add a fur vest. If it’s a bit warmer, add a cropped leather jacket like that on Ashley Olsen (right). We suggest stepping out of basic black and adding some color whether it’s your handbag or a pair of red leggings. With a week left in January, we still have at least a couple months of weather fluctuations, and mixing in some color will fight the winter doldrums.

Mixing styles works as well. Making sure your yin has a yang – a bit of military or menswear on top, silk skirt and tights on bottom – will help you make the best use of your current pieces as long as the statements are not independently drastic. Think combat boots with a feminine legging print. Think soft leather with black rocker lace.
Emma Dinzebach

Personally, I usually stop home and freshen up pre-apres ski, allowing for a change and light make-up applique. If that’s not an option, coat lashes with waterproof mascara, and make sure underwear can transition to outerwear.

On the bottom: Pretty much every woman in the world has a beautiful derriere when squeezed into lulu lemon’s Wunder Under legging-style yoga pants. The moisture wicking signature luon keeps you dry even apres ski. The “brushed” version provides added warmth and looks just as sexy as the regular. “Groove” Wunder Unders have colorful bands at the top and are reversible. Wear under your ski pants or change into for a casual and sexy apres ski bottom half.
On the top: Depending on how much you sweat, you will want to remove your moisture wicking base and replace with a stylish but sporty sweater or zip up. Stella McCartney for Adidas has a beautiful winter sports line. We love the Winter Sports Performance Slim Jacket. It’s breathable, weather proof, and the CLIMA technology sweeps away sweat. Plus, the large neck and rouched sleeves are hot.
New to the ski lines? Bogner, Moncler, Kjus are the brands to look for. If you find them marked down, then lucky, lucky you. Take advantage and purchase. Check out www.stbernardsports.com, a winter sports site that categorizes each layer for men and women.

And if you are just fabulous. Go back to your room, shower and put on an outfit like that shown above. I mean, go big or go home, right?

Emma Dinzebach

So it’s really super duper brrrrr freezing outside, and we have no other choice but to layer like it’s nobody’s business. And we are tired of the same look over and over. We look kind of like chic homeless people to be honest, and we don’t have much choice because eff it’s cold out there.

Our savior: the accessories. This is the best time to play around with mixing and matching our fancy accessories with our otherwise drab daily outfits. Because yes you can rock your thigh high boots with a double layer of leggings, and yes you can add your fanciest statement necklace of the season to your plain black sweater and tired skinny black jeans. Break out your shimmery scarf, use summer’s handbag for a pop of color, throw a dress over your long sleeves and stone-washed jeans, or rock a sequined beret for all we care. But by all means, put a little class into it. It’s certainly not getting any warmer.

Emma Dinzebach