For the most part, my clients all fall into a similar category. Most are professional women living a life that you can probably relate to. So imagine how thrown course I was when I worked with a client who lives in a rural part of Scotland, notorious for its inclement weather, and works on a salmon farm. Because of this, being warm is priority number one. It gets so cold that she often buys clothing too large so she can wear multiple layers.
With function clearly trumping style, this client and I spoke at length about ways she can infuse some of her personality and style into her cold (more like severely freezing) weather wardrobe. While we discussed some clothing options, one thing I said to her was, “If I were you, I’d start playing with fun cold weather accessories options.” Clearly, she needs to think about hats, gloves and scarves, why not make them interesting and something she loves to wear?
Few of us can relate to the lifestyle this client lives. However, the longer we spoke, the more I realized I can relate to her. Living in New York in the winter isn’t much different, style-wise not temperature-wise, than my client. It may not get nearly as cold or inclement as it does where she lives, but New Yorkers spend a lot of time outdoors walking around and the need for cold weather accessories is pretty great.
Being a knitter I’m obsessed with all the hats that are so trendy right now. I have knit a bunch of hats, scarves and mittens this year and if I had more than two hands and didn’t take on a bunch of other more complicated projects I’d be knitting more. I seriously examine hats I see people wearing and think about how I can make them myself.
Here are just a few I knit this year. Some I can’t show because they are going to be holiday gifts.
A beret I knit for myself. A hot pink cable beanie I knit for my hairstylist. A hat and mittens set I knit for my best friend’s son. A yellow chunky cowl I knit for myself. A hat and cowl I knit for my nephew.
Hat and owl mittens I knit for my owl obsessed niece. A beret and mittens for my niece. A cowl for my mom. A scarf for my husband.
Anyway, back to cold weather accessories that you can actually purchase in a store because I know not everyone has the time or inclination to knit, after recommending that my client start playing with wearing some fun hat, gloves and scarves combos, I decided to put some fun combinations together for inspiration. Instead of shopping for some predictable sets or boring colors, check out what I created.
Cold weather accessories combo #1
Not all hats, scarves and gloves need to be knit. I love a beret as clearly evidenced by the one I knit for myself.
Hat: Lauren Ralph Lauren, Scarf: Steve Madden, Gloves: Fratelli Orsini
Cold weather accessories combo #2
If color combining isn’t your thing use the color combos found in one of the pieces like I did here.
Hat: Pistil, Scarf: Madewell, Gloves: Fratelli Orsini
Cold weather accessories combo #3
Hat: Spyder, Mittens: San Diego Hat Company, Scarf: Betsey Johnson
Cold weather accessories combo #4
Hat: Bp. Nordstrom, Gloves: Hestra, Scarf: BCBGMaxAzria
Cold weather accessories combo #5
Hat: Free People, Gloves: Kate Spade, Scarf: Bp. Nordstrom
Cold weather accessories combo #6
Hat: Burton, Gloves: Hestra, Scarf: Bp. Nordstrom
Cold weather accessories combo #7
Hat: Spyder, Gloves: Rag & Bone, Scarf: NYC Underground
Cold weather accessories combo #8
Hat: North Face, Gloves: Fratelli Orsini, Scarf: Smartwool
Cold weather accessories combo #9
Hat: Burton, Gloves: BYOS, Scarf: Bp. Nordstrom
Cold weather accessories combo #10
Hat: Coal the Winters, Mittens: Bula, Scarf: Rebecca Minkoff
Cold weather accessories combo #11
Hat: Pistil, Gloves: Hestra, Scarf: North Face
Cold weather accessories combo #12
Hat: Topshop, Gloves: Lauren Ralph Lauren, Scarf: Bp. Nordstrom
Cold weather accessories combo #13
Hat: Spyder, Gloves: Echo Design, Scarf: BCBGeneration
Cold weather accessories combo #14
Hat: Burton, Gloves: Fratelli Orsini, Scarf: Toria Rose
Cold weather accessories combo #15
Hat: North Face, Gloves: Hestra, Scarf: Bp. Nordstrom
Cold weather accessories combo #16
Hat: MICHAEL MIchael Kors, Gloves: Echo, Scarf: Vince Camuto
Cold weather accessories combo #17
Hat: BULA, Gloves: UGG, Scarf: North Face
Cold weather accessories combo #18
Hat: San Diego Hat Company, Gloves: UGG, Scarf: Bp. Nordstrom
Cold weather accessories combo #19
Hat: Burton, Gloves: Rebecca Minkoff, Scarf: Bindya
Cold weather accessories combo #20
Earmuffs: Bp. Nordstrom, Gloves: Lauren Ralph Lauren, Neckwarmer: Echo Design
Don’t forget, hats, gloves and scarves make excellent gift ideas! If you have some last minute shopping to do, consider giving some of these ideas as gifts.
Maybe she needs LL Bean or Orvis! Your pics are cuter, though!
Great recommendation but I’d have to make sure these brands ship to remote Scotland.
Great idea to think about winter accessories as something that coordinates (without matching) and shows my personal style! On the whole, I think I can relate to this client more than to many others you’ve presented – not the salmon farm, but I definitely need more weather-appropriate clothing and casual outfits than the pumps-and-a-suit looks you often show. Even at a “dressy” work event, a blazer is probably enough; and I just can’t walk around in heels (cobblestones! walking city!)… Would love to see more of these casual outfits!
Thanks and good to know about your needs. I can definitely put some focus on some more casual work looks.
I’m a little accessory obsessed this year. I have two new hats, 5 new scarves and two new pair of gloves. They’re imperative where I live too. And I’m always amazed by how much warmth a nice scarf adds. Great post!
Oh, I can absolutely relate to your Scottish client – cold windy prairie gal here! This was just the post I needed to get me out of my winter rut. Also for the link above to last January’s “How to Survive Winter Fashion Boredom”. I’d forgotten that one. Thanks for all you do, Bridgette!
Love this post and I’m having a hard time choosing a favorite combination! Thank you for helping us look stylish while our teeth are chattering.