While frigid  winter temperatures might tempt you to wrap yourself in sweats and a heavy coat, it is possible to be both fashionable and warm. Some of this year’s hottest trends include boots and knits that will keep you toasty while ensuring you look stylish. Don’t let the wintertime blues get you down, update your look and feel great!

Coats

Throughout the chilly Canadian winter months, your coat will be the first (and often only) glimpse many people get of you. It is worth spending a bit extra to buy a coat that fits you perfectly. A coat made of French or Italian wool will probably last you at least 3 years, which means you will get your money’s worth even if the price tag is a bit steep. Classic colors include brown, black and gray, but why not try something a bit different? Today’s coats are available in animal prints, plaids, and vivid shades of red, pink or orange, Canada Goose jackets come in blue, white, brown and green, or for the less conspicuous you can wear g star jackets in various grays, beige, or black colors.

Enjoy a return to a classic shape by purchasing a cape, capelet, or cloak. These traditional styles are enjoying a fashion resurgence and are a great staple in cold weather climates. You can easily layer them over your clothing to help provide additional warmth. Depending on the style you choose, your cape can add an elegant, gothic, or quirky touch to your regular attire.

Winter Shoes and Boots

The models walking the catwalks this season are sporting knee boots, lace-up boots, and ankle boots.  All of these styles work perfectly in cold weather climates and are a quick way to update your look. If you enjoy a more daring style, mimic the models and choose above-the-knee boots or even thigh high ones.

On days when you feel like regular shoes, try cut-out shoes or fringed and tasseled ones like those sold by Jimmy Choo and Christian Louboutin. Menswear-inspired lace-up oxfords are also hot this season, in addition to being practical for cold weather climates.

Cashmere and Knits

There is a reason that cashmere sweaters, jackets, coats, pants, and scarves remain fashionable year after year. Cashmere is thin enough to be great for layering, but it is also strong and warm. You can safely stock up on cashmere at department store sales since it is virtually guaranteed to remain in style season after season.

Chunky knits with a lot of texture play a starring role in this season’s fashions. These warm knits offer exceptional warmth as well as fabulous style. And lest you think chunky means clunky and dowdy, consider open-weave knits that reveal a hint of skin. The easiest way to wear these knits might be in accessories, but they also make great sweaters or even dresses.

Denim

While skinny jeans have been seen everywhere throughout the last several seasons, this winter they have finally made the leap into a fashion staple. They are a great way to slim down the look of a heavy item such as a knit sweater or cape. Balance is key to wearing skinny jeans and they should be worn with flowing tops, such as this season’s tunic or babydoll styles.  Skinny jeans also look fabulous tucked into your knee high boots or worn with sexy ankle boots.

Women have rediscovered the slimming effect dark denim offers for their hips and thighs. Dark denim is also a great way to add a more professional or grown-up element to your basic jeans look. If you are interested in a more casual jeans look, the weathered look is extremely fashionable this winter. Jeans with rips, stains, and holes are everywhere this season, but you also find more classic jeans with subtle weathered details.

Accessories

The hot color for your accessories this winter is purple. You can find purple bags, jewelry, wallets, gloves, and scarves everywhere. Why not incorporate a number of hot trends and splurge on a fantastic pair of purple gloves? The gloves will keep you both warm and trendy throughout chilly Canadian winter weather.

Scarves are an easy and fun way to add warmth and style to your look. Colorful hand-knit scarves are very “in” this season and can be left plain or adorned with pompoms. Designers such as Burberry, Marc Jacobs, Givenchy, and Diane von Furstenberg offer signature scarf designs. Plaid is all the rage this season, and a scarf is a great way to add a bit of plaid to your look.

Handbags adorned with metal accessories such as a chain handle are extremely trendy this season. A chain handle handbag will stylishly take you from a day at the office to an evening on the town. Studded handbags continue to be the hottest way to embellish your handbag, but fringe and sequins are also on trend this season. Try a brown, tan, or black suede bag to add subtle bohemian accents to your look.

A hat is a great way to have some fun with your winter look and protect your head during the cold winter months. Faux fur accents are everywhere this season, in styles ranging from high fur-topped hats to ear flapped ones. Knitted or velvet berets continue to be seen on all of the runways, and you can choose to accent yours with feathers or sequins.