The frigid winter air ushers in a wave of black amongst even the least fashion-savvy individuals. Black is safe for wintertime, because it seems to mimic the way the cold makes us feel, it matches the early nightfall, and certainly keeps us safe from the scrutinizing eyes of those who believe the wardrobe should remain color-free until springtime. Alas, despite the comfort that wearing black brings us, it is time to shed that old skin and think about the current climate crisis.
True, it may be cold, but global warming is a real phenomenon that got me thinking about a world in which fashion reflects the rising temperatures...a world in which global warming allows us to wear bold colors year round. I put this outfit together to poke fun at father-winter, and to make note of the rising temperatures. I plan to keep my use of black to a minimum, perhaps in the hopes of ushering in an early spring… Instead of sticking to all-black, I have moved to grey, which, a few years back, Vogue reported was the new black. So with grey in mind, I start with a simple peppered grey, sleeveless sweater and go from there.
The most fun aspect of winter fashion is our chance to show off our layering skills. I found the long sleeveless sweater at least a year ago, but had yet to wear it until this outfit. I love the cowl-neck; it keeps that pesky itchiness away from my sensitive neck area and draws attention to the shape of my shoulders. Underneath, I wore a great, grey tulip skirt from a discount store called Angl in Santa Barbara. I paired the skirt with an old favorite of mine, a royal blue tank-thong from American Apparel, and matching blue leggings from Forever 21. I wanted the blue to stand out, and I liked the idea of my looking like I was wearing a one-piece/unitard instead of a shirt and pants separately. To add a finishing touch, I wore a thin black belt (we can’t entirely forgo tradition), black boots and a wine colored red hobo hat that I was lucky enough to inherit from an old and generous friend.
Accessories were important for that splash of color that I was looking to utilize in my outfit that day. The red hat acted as a lovely compliment to the royal blue of my top and leggings. The black belt and the black boots were easily the most reasonable aspect of the outfit, as they tied together the hint of black in the centerpiece of my outfit (the salt-and-pepper sweater). Additionally, using a thin black belt helped to create a focal point at the waist. People tend to forget that this area is the smallest part of the female body, so wearing higher bottoms with higher waists, you accentuate and flatter your figure. I tied that belt tight just below the ribcage, allowing a bit of the waist-band to bunch up above the belt, looking like a blossoming flower.
So perhaps I am thinking a bit too much of springtime, but I believe that with city style in the cold, cold country, there are few who would challenge my decision.
