How to Stay Warm Without Losing the Heat

Just because those temperatures are dropping, it doesn’t mean your sex appeal has to go down with ‘em!  With winter come bulky sweaters, thick wool socks, puffy coats and runny noses, none of which exactly scream sex appeal.  Although you’re pretty much stuck with your snotty sniffer (might I suggest some travel Kleenex?), there a few tricks to keep the guys looking in your direction without freezing your pretty lil buns off!

Tights! Thanks to Blair Waldorf, tights no longer bring back painful childhood memories of Holiday dresses with 18 too many bows, usually constructed of crushed velvet or an iridescent red and green plaid taffeta.  Instead, fashionable tights in every color and texture are available to match just about any outfit imaginable. Pair black lacey florals with a solid dress and booties and you’re bound to get a few free drinks sent your way.  Throw on a plum pair with a fitted long-sleeved dress and some slouchy boots to run those afternoon errands, and for a night out with your man, slip on a pair of seam and heel tights and he’ll be dragging you into the bedroom before you even make it out the door!

Coats! Whoever said, “don’t judge a book by its cover,” was full of it; we all know an attractive exterior makes us more inclined to check out what lies beneath.  The same goes for you and your winter layers. Prim coats à la Mad Men add a sexy sophistication to skinny jeans and knee high boots.  Bundle up in a faux fur number and guys will be begging to cozy up next to you.  When worn atop a sexy cocktail dress, a floral coat gives a hint at what’s underneath your flirty exterior.  Remember, it’s what’s on the outside that counts!!

Boots! Ah, boots, a personal favorite of mine; from cowboy to ankle to slouchy to lace up, say the word boot and I’m there!  Over the knee boots aren’t just for the street corner and look ubersexy in a neutral suede worn with a sleek mini dress or a slightly loose sweater dress.  Riding boots, slip em on with some skinnies and a men’s plaid shirt… and, well, let’s just say riding is exactly what men will think of when they see you in these boys!  And finally booties, which are capable of a category of their own given their range of styles: from sexy to casual to rock-n-roll.  The hottest winter footwear wears well with leggings, skirts or dresses tights, pants, and the list goes on.  In addition to being flat out hot, the stylish little devils allow your legs to appear longer and slimmer, and well, that’s always sexy.

Bianca Vance

FASHION BY THE RULES: Baby It’s Cold Outside

FASHION BY THE RULES: Baby It’s Cold Outside

By some strange quirk of “retail fate,” just when all the cold weather gear has gone on sale, the weather has turned cold and in some cases bitterly frigid. So I thought it might be a good time to give you some options on how to stay warm while still being fashionable regardless of your budget.

BOOTS: there is some sort of phenomenon going on that has made UGGS the “IT” boot but there are so many options, let alone versions of the boot. Your boots can be ankle, mid-calf or up to the knee, just make sure they are lined and have a rubber sole.

HATS: perhaps this is the most fun of all as there seems to be a infinite variety of silhouettes and materials as well as a huge price range to choose from. My hat of choice in brrrrrrrrrrr New York City is cashmere in any variation which I combine with some style of ear muffs for the particularly bitter days.

SCARVES: be they silk, cotton, wool, cashmere, fleece or any combination thereof, you just have to wrap them around your neck and in some cases your head as they provide great protection against these arctic elements.

The point of all this is to stay warm, but the subtext is to stay fashionable and to have some fun with the styles, colors and combinations. It will make the coldest days seem just a bit better.

A couple of things remain totally up to you will be your choice of outerwear and gloves. I am a confirmed down jacket/coat wearer who believes there is nothing warmer and easier to wear as they have no physical weight. As for gloves, I am a cashmere glove collector who finds them to be the best protection against the elements.

Whatever you decide, you must consult shopstyle.com as a one stop shopping destination for all your winter needs and remember, IT’S ALL ON SALE!!!!!!!

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