Winter warmers

As the leaves begin to fall, and the temperature drops by the day, it is only natural to crave a little cosiness in our wardrobes. Sadly however, cosiness and style do not tend to go hand-in-hand. As winter closes in it is near impossible to resist the urge to wrap up, but our natural desire to avoid hypothermia can often result in fashion disaster. Winter dressing is a sartorial minefield of excessively chunky knits, lumpy layering and other unflattering pieces. Every year the mystery of dressing for warmth and style reduces otherwise style savvy women to fleece-clad fashion disasters. The truth is, when it comes to looking hot when the weather’s not, most of us don’t have a clue.

It is all-too-easy to think that waving good-bye to hazy summer days and sun kissed skin also means waving good-bye to any hope of injecting a little style into our wardrobes. Falling victim to this mind set is the first step on the slippery slope to ‘practical dressing’, and we all know the end result isn’t going to be pretty. Let’s face it, the idea of slipping into a figure-skimming evening dress when you can feel the crunch of ice under the soles of your Louboutins is not a pleasant one. Dressing up can be one of the most enjoyable activities known to man, but whether you’re off to a high-society ball or simply popping over to the shops, deciding what to wear during the winter can be nothing but a chore.

But do not despair. It is possible to dress for the weather, yet still remain stylish. You can still revel in the beauty of fashion without suffering pneumonia as a result. The solution to this perennial problem is a surprisingly simple one. If you get the hang of layering and invest in a few key seasonal pieces, then practical really can be fashionable.

This season, certain designers have really pulled out all the stops to bring us a new brand of ‘cosy chic’. Chunky knits are everywhere at the moment. While heavy knitwear can be a recipe for disaster, if you choose a good-quality and well-fitting piece then you need not worry about looking chunky yourself. Coats are also very popular this winter and designers have spoilt us for choice with everything from aviator jackets and parkas to classic camel coats and military style versions. Obviously a girl cannot dress in wool alone, so don’t be afraid to add in some sequins for a bit of evening glamour. These hotter-than-hot winter trends debuted on the runways at fashion week, but as they have now all been projected onto the high street it is easy to stay stylish this winter regardless of your budget.

Ashish

Ashish’s collection for this season is definitely worth checking out. The designer was inspired by the former Soviet Republic.  It is here that Ashish’s winter heroine is born. She is a woman whose simple, homely life is at odds with the glamour of having the Abramovitchs’ living next-door. The element of contrast which inspired the designer is clear in his collection. A wool dressing gown appears to be thrown on giving the illusion of simplicity juxtaposed with the reality of a matte sequined dress peeping out from underneath its hem.

Ashish perfectly taps into all about two of the biggest trends this winter: luxury and practicality. His heroine is a simple woman who manages to inject a touch of glamour into her outfits. Ashish’s collection is all about combining essentials such as a cable knit cardigan with the extravagance of a sequinned evening gown.

The Asian woman can transcend the designer’s signature style by replacing the glitzy evening dress with an exquisite sari or long kameez. Such an ensemble exudes elegance without risking being over-embellished and is undoubtedly the perfect look for a winter wedding.

Knit wear also played an important role in Ashish’s collection this season. The designer showed off deliciously slouchy cable knit jumpers. Worn with his sequined vests, they are the epitome of off-duty cool, and certainly proof that comfortable doesn’t have to mean boring.

Betty Jackson

Knitwear is certainly big news this season as Betty Jackson also wowed critics with her own take on the trend. The designer’s entire Autumn/Winter collection was inspired by Muslim culture and the influence of its intricate detailing shines through her divine knits. Betty Jackson also showed off some must-have slouchy military coats, I would recommend pairing one with a chunky knit to stay warm in style.

Chunky cardigans worn over kameezes are the perfect day to night piece if you don’t want to sacrifice style for warmth. Longer hemlines are one of this season’s biggest trends in both the east and the west and work beautifully when teamed with a must-have knit.

Cacharel

If you want to play around this season, then look to designers such as Cacharel and Rag & Bone for a slightly edgier winter style. On the catwalk at Cacharel were young fragile girls wrapped up in over sized coats and hooded jackets.

Rag & Bone

Rag & Bone was another perfect contender in the race of the most lust-worthy winter warmers. The collection showcased their signature New York street style with infused with an English military feel. The use of thick, formal fabric for military jackets, separates and outerwear would not only sharpen up your wardrobe, but would be perfect for fighting off the winter chills.

Winter is by no means an easy season to dress for. Keeping warm whilst staying fashionable is by no means easy, but it is possible.

Iman’s Dos

• Invest in a statement oversized sequinned knit


• Invest in a cape as the perfect outer layer


• Pair a sequinned number with thick leggings


• Remember to layer

Iman’s Don’ts:

• Wear a shawl over a sheer kameez


• Let your clothes drown you


• Layer light fabrics over bulkier fabrics


• Wear dark or monotone colours from head-to-toe


• Be afraid to add a bit of glamour to your look

Published in The Express Tribune, October 17^th, 2010.