Ok, so maybe I jumped the gun a little bit with those Christian Louboutin pumps. Can you blame me? They’re gorgeous, they made their way down the red carpet at the People’s Choice Awards, and I’m ready for it to warm up already! I actually sort of prefer cooler weather to the heat because sweat—not attractive. Anyway, yesterday I was tweeting with a girl who lives in Canada, and it got me thinking. As cold as it is on the East Coast right now, it’s fricking freezing up there right now. Don’t those people ice skate to work or something? And keep penguins for pets? And drink beer with every meal, even breakfast? Yeah, I’m exaggerating. It’s illegal to keep penguins as pets. The point is, it’s still cold in a lot of places, even places where it’s not normally this cold. But because fashion is on its own timetable and doesn’t bow to anything as silly as the weather, designers and retailers are already starting to push the spring lines. But that’s good news for you because it means all the winter stuff is even more reasonably priced. Get warm and save money. What could be better?! Well, a stylish yet functional winter ensemble, that’s what. Starting with this Cole Haan Puffy Coat.
First of all, that’s not its real name. It’s actually the Cole Haan 359MD094 Coat. Yeah, doesn’t that just make you want to wrap yourself in it and get all cozy? No. But puffy coat? Oh yeah, slip that baby on and you know you’ll be nice and toasty in no time. And sure, they’re available in all kinds of colors, but I’m diggin’ this white one because, well, first because it’s just pretty. And I love white clothes and accessories in winter. But also because as gorgeous as that red or sky blue puffy coat might be, the white one will go with more of what’s in your closet. Just because it’s covering your clothes doesn’t mean it still doesn’t have to at least coordinate or compliment what you’re wearing. This puffy coat has a toggle hood and snap strap cuffs, so if it’s snowing out, you won’t get any flurries up your sleeves. Two front pockets will keep your hands warm, and hold your gloves when you step inside. But you know what’s great about this coat? Some puffy coats can make you look like the Staypuft Marshmallow Man with no shape or form to them whatsoever. This one draws in a bit at the waist to still give you a feminine silhouette while keeping you warm. The outer shell is polyester, but inside, it’s filled with 80 percent down, and 20 percent waterfowl feathers. There is no way you’ll be cold when you have this coat on. Just be sure you don’t wash it. That could get ugly. It’s $491 from Zappos.com.
Now, before you just throw on any old pair of jeans or leggings, consider that while that coat is pretty long, it’s not going to cover your legs entirely. Sure, you could wear long underwear under your jeans, but while that might keep you warm, it could also make you look ten pounds heavier, and make it more difficult to move around. Yeah, we want to stay warm, but we still want to look good and be mobile, right? The ideal solution? A pair of soft, warm cords. Not the ones with the thick wale that make the really loud zip zip noise when you walk, though. Those are hideous. A nice slender wale in cords that almost looks like jeans is the way to go, like these Christopher Blue Asiana Boot Vintage Cords. It sort of cracks me up when designers add the word vintage to a product description. As if they rescued it from a thrift store or something. Anyway, they’re low rise, so be sure to wear a long enough sweater to keep the cold air off your tummy when you’re not wrapped up in that puffy coat. Better yet, dress in layers to stay warm. Tuck in a cotton tank and let the sweater hang wherever it hangs, and you can show a flash of color when you move. The bootcut leg is slenderizing, and will fit well over the boots we’ll get to in a moment. Signature embroidery in tonal thread adorns the back pockets, and they feature a zip fly and button closure. They’re 97 percent cotton, and the three percent spandex gives them just enough stretchiness for comfort. This color is oxidized, but they also come in tobacco. This pair has a 34-inch inseam, though, so if you’re petite, they may be a bit long for you. These cords normally go for $156, but they’re only $128.70 right now at Zappos.com.
Who knew a heavy duty winter boot could be so cute? Or have such a cute name? The Icebugs Sorix Snow Boot looks like a mix between a sneaker and a hiking boot, offering comfort, warmth, and sure footing on snowy or icy walkways. The sole features extra rubber protrusions that offer more traction whether you’re trudging over a hiking trail, or just walking through the parking lot to get into the mall. The interior is waterproof but breathable, to keep your feet warm and dry. They lace up in front through securely fastened grommets that ensure a snug fit. The upper is made from synthetic leather and nylon, while the sole is all rubber. The fact that they’re snowy white means they’ll coordinate beautifully with that Cole Haan puffy coat. And check out the cute bug insignia on the back. Ok, I hate bugs, but I could tolerate this one. They’re just $149.95 at Endless.com.
