As temperatures drop, new winter fashions heat up this season
A guide to staying warm, looking great during the bleak chilly season
By Sean Santiago, contributing writer
Posted on January 11, 2007

Winter’s seasonal charms, such as the first snowfall and hot chocolate, are endearing to many. Unfortunately, the hazards particular to this special time of year render typical party ensembles obsolete. Bitter cold and biting winds necessitate the bulky outerwear and heavy boots that absolve winter of spring and fall’s spontaneity and charm. Accordingly, it is the least exciting time of year to dress for.

At JMU, temperatures plummet to the 20s and 30s, encouraging us to wear our duvets as caftans. Although we’ve been spared so far this year in terms of nasty cold fronts, it’s always best to approach winter dressing by stocking up on pragmatic basics while anticipating spring trends with a few transitory pieces. To add personality to your winter wardrobe, throw on a few cheeky accessories and you’ve instantly maintained a sense of self underneath all that padding.

Looking good isn’t always a top priority when the temperature is more conducive to hibernation than cat-walking the Quad. Falling into a comfy rut is easy, and nobody dresses to impress on the morning trek to class.

When and if you feel compelled to dress your wintry best, avoid mixing and matching warm pieces from different styles within one outfit. Wearing a classic pea coat with distressed jeans and sneakers sends a mixed message, half looking collegiate, the other half resembling Ashlee Simpson’s version of punk rock.

One of the most lamented issues during cold-weather months is footwear. Wellington boots paired with thick wool socks make for a cute, warm alternative to the tired Ugg look favored by girls who think they are Eskimos. J. Crew offers the weatherproof rubber boots in classic colors or ultra-preppy patterns, while guys can get simple, macho pairs from outdoors-oriented companies such as Lacoste. L.L. Bean duck boots, although not much to look at, are practical and go with almost anything. Of course, if the ground isn’t too slick, it’s always fine to wear your favorite kicks, be they sneakers, ballet flats or boat shoes.      

Essential to every season but particularly helpful in winter, accessories can spruce up monotonous North Face jackets while protecting exposed limbs from frostbite. Start a small collection of scarves of varying textures, patterns and colors. Lined pockets may suffice to keep hands cozy for the walk to class, but a good pair of gloves is necessary to keep them warm once you’ve made a Starbucks run. Ears get cold too, and a simple cable knit cashmere or wool beanie in a neutral color will warm you up and gel with many looks.

Cashmere sweaters are another necessity in colder months. Quality cashmere is available from J. Crew, as well as Lands End. Buy one or two in bright colors to liven up your outfit or invest in black or navy to stay classic and versatile. GQ and Details both list black v-neck cashmere sweaters as an indispensable component of the well-dressed man’s wardrobe. There’s no denying that time is a commodity. However, once you get your life in order come mid-February, don’t be afraid to implement these suggestions in your daily dressing routine. Of course, by that time, you’ll have to start dressing for spring.