Oh, hey, winter. I was wondering when you’d make your way to D.C., and then you reared your bald, mean little face (?) last week, leaving my extremities numb and my nose running. It’s OK, though — I had a friend tell me that a friend of hers recently moved from Arizona to Massachusetts, and, instead of whining about the frigid temps, the desert transplant said: “Well, I could get mad about it, but I might as well use it as an excuse to buy cute accessories.” Love that ‘tude, and am going to channel it here with a few top picks for these frostier climes. First, LOVE these buffalo-check Sperry all-weather boots ($98, Zappos), which I’d pair with a yummy knit sweater ($265, Reiss), a faux-fur vest (Rebecca Taylor, on sale for $175, TheOutnet), cool gal sunnies (these are Rachel Bilson’s pick, so I must own them — Carrera, $130, Piperlime), and skinnies (PS, a lot of you ask what brand I wear — I wear exclusively Paige or J. Brand, but my all-time favorites are the J. Brand 912 skinny…love):
I’d finish with one of these personalizable Rebecca Minkoff totes (love the black with the glossy gold imprint — $550, Rebecca Minkoff):
I’m also eying this fur-trimmed cape (yeah, yeah, yeah, it’s from Victoria’s Secret…ergo, not brand-desirable, but — it’s so cute! — $158, Victoria’s Secret), which I’d pair with black skinnies and, if — and only if — there were inclement weather, a pair of wellies (my much more fashionable sister and I always vent about people trying to make Wellies happen in normal weather…it’s dumb. — $125, Shopbop):
I’d wear the Wellies with the Wellie socks, which are supposed to be super snuggly and warm. Plus, they have a leopard pair. YES. The look would be finished perfectly by this two-tone hobo ($348, ScoopNYC), which looks awesomely preppy and yet un-done/laidback at the same time:
Other winter weather musts? This darling snowshoe scarf by Virginia Johnson — perfect quirky accent to a solid winter white coat or an oversized gray sweater ($198, PrettyMommy):
Or, how about warming freezing fingers with these rabbit-fur glovelettes (Jocelyn, $98, Intermix)? Would love to see these puppies in my stocking. Hint, hint. I think they’d also be cute as a sort of cuff to an otherwise staid topper.
So.cute., especially with a bold red mani?! Die. Get outta here with your cozy cuteness. While on the topic of furry cold weather gear, I love earmuffs — so, so much cuter/more ladylike than a hat, in my opinion. My mother gave me a pair of gray rabbit fur earmuffs awhile ago that I live in come cold weather — very similar to these affordable Madewell ones ($39, Madewell) — but I’m also loving this pair of white ones from Karl Donoghue ($145, Net-A-Porter):
Either would look darling with this fair-isle drape-neck cardigan ($38, Buckle), black skinnies, and some fierce booties (these ain’t even my style, but I am so in love with them, I can’t even contain my jealousy towards anyone who owns them — Burberry Porsum, $1,055, MyTheresa):
UGH those boots are awesome. I’d finish with a croc-effect clutch (I can’t decide if I like the brown or black better! — Lodis, $198, Zappos):
Regardless of which color, I’d finish with a gold signet ring (check out this well-priced version at J. Crew! — $25, J. Crew — or get a personalized style from Jordann for $245 at Max&Chloe), a ladylike leather-strap watch (love this Michael Kors style! — $180, Shopbop), and some simple gold studs (Gorjana, $30, Revolve):
For more snuggly warmth, check out this vintage-styled knit scarf I spotted at H&M last week (fab stocking stuffer, and perfection for a ski weekend! — Bonus points for its SCALE; it’s big! — $17, H&M):
I kind of like the idea of sporting it with a cozy thermal ($45, J. Crew) layered beneath a snuggly puffer (Polo Ralph Lauren, $254, Farfetch — love those toggles, but J. Crew has this less expensive vest available in great colors; worth checking out):
I’d finish with these all-terrain, all-weather Sorels ($140, Zappos) during the day, but if I needed to dress it up a bit for a little afternoon coffee date or something, I’d reach for these amazing shearling-lined wedge booties from Giuseppe Zanotti — $850, Shopbop):
I’m also absolutely smitten with this wool plaid blanket coat from BB Dakota ($120, Shopbop — they are running low on sizes, so check here for more if you’re on the hunt!), which I’d style with these epic shades from Thierry Lasry ($375, Net-A-Porter — Olivia P. loves this line!), black skinnies and black booties on the fierce side of the scale (Michael Kors, on sale for $112, Nordstrom):
I’d add a little gloss to the look with this bomb Alexandra Satine tote (love those gleaming gold accents — $490, Alexandra Satine):
I’d bundle up with those, some snuggly, vintage-knit socks (love all of the Lisa B. styles, but especially the reindeer — $20, Lisa B.):
And, even while inside, I kind of want to keep my fingers toasty in these cozy knit gloves ($46, Hat Attack), which would coordinate perfectly with this oh-so-warm infinity scarf ($188, Steven Alan):
