Thin beaded belt is essential for herve leger bandage dress
Duffel coats are for grownups who wish they were still 15 and hanging bandage dress herve leger out behind the bike sheds; princess coats are for grownups who wish they were still 15 and at orchestra practice. And also, I don’t mean to be rude, but, hello? Even the Duchess of Cambridge doesn’t wear one of these any more. They look amazing on Alexa Chung, but so do leather shorts and cropped mohair sweaters, so that argument gets you nowhere. If you’re too big for Bonpoint, you’re too big for this coat.
The new puffy coats are still filled with down, mostly, but they’re different. They’re toned down, sort of half-puffy. Goodbye to over-inflated Michelin Man jackets; slimmer styles are in. These new coats could be described as quilted because, without so much inflation, you can see the stitching and the pattern it makes. The Down Bomber Jacket from PS by Paul Smith is the quintessential new down jacket for 2011. It’s also $765. But notice how smooth the face is, how minimal the quilting … how the stuffing doesn’t make you look fat. Patagonia makes a sweet toned-down Down Jacket ($200). The 1-inch horizontal quilting and short collar give it a very modern feel. While old-school puffies were essentially ski-wear, these you can wear any time. Pair with cords and a casual shirt for a dinner date or throw over a long-sleeved Henley for a weekend outing.
On the flip side – and anything but glam – is the one piece of clothing that always travels to London with herve leger bandage dresses me irrespective of the time of year – a trusty puffa jacket. Nothing keeps in the warmth and keeps out the wind quite as effectively as the goose feather and down mix coat, which having reached a landmark eighth birthday, was treated to the addition of a chunky elasticated belt with a gold and onyx clasp. And so it was, looking a little less like a Michelin Man and with my makeover complete, I spent my last days in the sub-zero capital feeling pretty haute-to-trot.
With predictions of another cold winter on the way, thoughts of staying warm and looking good are top of mind.
It’s a season that showcases plenty of sophisticated and elegant style, with classic and modern coat silhouettes flourishing in both plain and fancy materials such as leather, mohair, camel hair, shearling and faux fur.
“Leather definitely makes a strong comeback this season, with the key focus on duffel coats, parkas, aviators, trenches and hourglass shapes. New treatments such as quilted leather, leather bonded to faux fur and leather combined with wool … creates contemporary looks,” says Joann Schelstratte, a senior designer at Danier.
“There’s also a trend toward longer lengths. Shorter jackets are getting longer and the full-length leather coat definitely calls out drama,” Schelstratte says.
Winter is brilliant, and nothing you can do will convince me otherwise. You can keep your summer with it’s espadrilles and cuffed chinos, stick it up your arse. You all look like you’re in One Direction.
Winter is the season of the man, a grown up’s season, a season which is not there to be enjoyed, but endured, like climbing Everest or drinking your first pint of Guinness. Force yourself to like it, you’ll be better for it in the end.
With this in mind, here’s a list of what you need in your wardrobe for this Winter. It’s a set of style staples which can get you through the wind, hail and snow of overexposed away ends and the all important trek to the pub, whilst of course keeping you warm, dry and not looking like a berk.
There’s no question wintry weather poses a problem on our roads, but being prepared and taking precautions can certainly help.
No matter how harsh the previous winter, it seems summer causes many motorists to forget what it’s like to drive on snow-covered or icy roadways. Come the first snow, there’s an abundance of collisions, and the accompanying injuries.
That’s why the OPP is urging everyone to get out ahead of the weather and prepare for the season ahead.
“Ontario winters make for some of the most dangerous driving conditions in Canada,” Chief Superintendent Don Bell said in a news release.
“Over and above getting your vehicle ready, it’s important for Ontarians to adopt a new mindset that defensive, responsible driving during the winter months is more crucial than any other time of year in reducing fatalities and serious injuries.”
Processing your request, Please wait....
