Keep cool with hot styles

A23

Sarah Ratchford

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Sweaters are the ultimate finishing piece to an outfit, especially now that they're needed on a constant basis due to unbearably low temperatures. Also great about the sweater: it's easy to reuse after it loses its shape.

Honey, I don't care how many Pilates classes you've dragged yourself to, those arms should not be bare when it's this cold out. Layers are a must, and there are ways to do it that won't make you look like a heifer.

Start out with a lightly-coloured camisole that has a bit of lace peeking over the top. Crème or soft pink works nicely, but always try items on before you skip out of the store with them. I love raw silk for this first layer.

Add a finely-knit, low cut vee-necked sweater or cardigan over top of the cami. A darker colour, like black, brown, or navy, works nicely here. This sweater should fit close to the body so as to avoid excess bulk.

The cami will peek out and draw attention to your face and neck, contrasting well with the sweater. If you're adventurous, try small prints on one or both of these layers.

Now, when you go outside, throw on an oversized, chunky wool sweater. If it drapes off your body, it will make you look slender, and you'll still feel all cuddled in and warm.

Put on a medium-width belt around the waist if you like, or leave as is as long as you don't look stout.

This look works with a slim cut on the bottom. Wide-leg trousers would look sloppy since both they and the sweater create a bulky, thick silhouette. Instead, try skinny jeans or leggings and a skirt or shorts. Either ankle-to-mid-calf boots or ballet flats would look perfect with this.

If you're more girlie, boho, or just plain relaxed, try a flowy skirt and leggings, with either of the above shoe choice "" or even Birks while you still can! One with a small flower print would be cute.

If you're plain, just try a plain wool skirt about knee-length.

Since it's only just above zero degrees lately, this look would benefit from a wool beret and a big scarf to wrap around your neck a bunch of times. Depending on the amount of walking you have to do, you might want to get thicker leggings as well.

In any case, there you go. A perfectly cozy and amazingly cute, Sienna Miller style outfit with little effort.

The chunky, too-large wool sweater can work with just about anything. Too often, we forget we live in Canada and try to buy over-garments for their style. This is ridiculous, as most 'stylish' coats and jackets are paper-thin.

Big wool sweaters are warm, and they're a Canadian thing to wear. As long as the bottom is balanced, they won't make you look big. In the fall, it's perfectly acceptable to throw one on over a dress and tights, jeans and a tee, a skirt and boots "" anything you want, really.

For a nice girly touch to the unisex look, pair with a feather headband and pretty earrings. Natural lipgloss wouldn't hurt either.

The best thing about wool sweaters, perhaps, is the fact that they can be found in any thrift store for about $5: the Salvation Army, Value Village, Frenchy's, sometimes reNeu if you live in Fredericton.

Stay warm and be creative.

Sarah Ratchford writes a weekly fashion column for [here]. She can be reached at editor@thebruns.ca.