Stylish Transitions

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So what's on tap for today's article? Well, while many of my readers in the southern hemisphere are on holiday, basking in the summer sun, many of us north of the equator are shivering, surrounded by snow. Since Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow and forecast six more weeks of winter, let's take a few minutes to review how to get from Point A to Point B in style. All of you Down Under take note: this could be you in six months. . .

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Why is it that extreme temperatures seem to make people forget how to dress? Whenever it's blazing hot or freezing cold, you see lots of kooky combinations on the street - but unfortunately, little style.

That's the thought that occurred to me as Robert and I walked through the university campus on our way to the gym one brisk morning last week. I saw lots of big coats, clunky boots, and ugly knit hats. When a businessman suddenly appeared wearing a black full length wool coat, gray cashmere scarf, and black leather gloves, I had to stop and stare - much to my husband's annoyance. I couldn't help it. A well-dressed person is a rare sight indeed, but a well-dressed MAN? On campus? He couldn't have been from around here!

The next day when Robert had his weekly 7 am meeting at the hospital, he donned HIS black full length wool coat, cashmere scarf, and leather gloves over his coat and tie. I didn't see him before he left, but when he got back, I commented on the combo and purred. He chuckled and said he'd been getting that kind of response from women all morning - and wasn't that the darnedest thing? He didn't bother to change as he strutted out the door to the lab.

I had to laugh. There's nothing strange about it. As John T. Molloy, the "Dress for Success" guru observed decades ago, people respond to you based on how you're dressed.

So how do YOU look going from Point A to Point B in bad weather? Do you opt for practicality over style? Or form over function? Or do you - like the dapper businessman (and my hubby, with a little prompting) -- successfully marry the two? With a little forethought, you can look good AND stay warm.

The time to think about how to dress for bad weather is long before the clouds roll in. Start each new season by taking inventory of your clothing and accessories to see what you have and what you need. This includes outerwear. You can pick up good deals in the pre-season sales or when stores are clearing inventory in January/February and July/August.

Note: There are some FABULOUS deals available in stores and online right now as desperate retailers try to move their stock.

Different types of clothing call for different types of outerwear. So do different seasons. Don't try to make one coat do all the work, particularly if you live in a cold climate. For business and formal situations, try a classic wrap, chesterfield, or polo coat. Puffy, bomber, and duffle styles are better suited for casual times. Need something warm for evening? Try a swing coat or a cape.

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Formal Coat

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Casual Coat

If you live in the subtropics and don't wear coats that often, try a classic pea coat for those few cold days you do have; they work well with both suits and jeans. Travel a lot but don't want to drag a heavy coat along? A basic trench with a zip-out liner will take you through three seasons with ease.

See how this works? Don't wear your puffy ski jacket over a business suit or a sweat shirt over a cocktail dress. Match your outerwear to your lifestyle and the mood of your clothing and you'll always look appropriate.

Take a look at the January/February photos on Scott Schuman's blog, The Sartorialist, to see how stylish Europeans face the cold weather head-on:

Once you've got your coat matching the mood of your clothing, don't forget to do the same with your accessories. Knit caps, baseball caps, and newsboy styles work best with casual coats; berets, derbys, and cloches go best with formal coats. Have a classic trench? Pull a "Casablanca" and pair it with a fedora in winter or a scarf and shades in spring.

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Classic Trench

Same goes for gloves, scarves, bags, umbrellas, and boots: match the mood of the accessories to the mood of the clothing and outerwear. Casual styles (knit or space-age fabrics) usually go with casual clothes, formal pieces (leather or fur) typically go with more formal wear.

Sometimes, you can make one pair of shoes or boots work for both your commute and your destination; sometimes you can't. Yes, you want to be stylish while you're en route, but if your path is blocked by snow, ice, or a long walk, always choose warmth and safety first with appropriate closed-toe, ridged-soled shoes.

If you need to change shoes once you reach your destination, try carrying a mood-appropriate tote bag (casual or formal, depending on what you're wearing) to hold your handbag, shoes, and other stuff (lunch bag, papers).

If you find that your budget's too tight to accommodate everything you need, stick with classic styles in neutral colors: a basic pea coat or a classic trench with zip-out liner can span most situations, as can a good pair of leather gloves. If you invest in quality, you'll enjoy years' worth of wear.

Finally, remember that being well-dressed extends to every part of your wardrobe, from underwear to outerwear. Don't neglect how you look in transit. After all, you're not invisible. And if you get it right, who knows? People may even stop and stare in admiration.

Need some more help matching your clothing to your outerwear? Download a copy of BUSINESS WEAR MAGIC to see how profitable dressing well in ANY weather can be,

http://www.businesswearmagic.com