As the winter cold sinks its teeth in this year, we at BHFO want to give you a few tips on surviving this season.  Just because it’s cold outside doesn’t mean you need to bury yourself in sweats and blankets. 

You can still step out in the latest fashions and still stay warm with these winter survival tools!

Survival Tool 1:  Sweater Dresses

The Sweater Dress is the hottest fashion of the winter season for obvious reasons!  They’re warm, comfortable, and can be easily dressed up or down to suit your needs.  Pull out your favorite winter boots, a pair of tights, and a belt, and you have a complete outfit ready to brave the elements!  But how do you pick the right sweater dress for you? 

Here are three tips to help get you pick out the perfect one:

1. Don’t be afraid to be loose.  Many sweater dresses are meant to look loose and untailored.  You can always dress it up with the right belt and accessories if you need to.  Or you can pick out a more fitted style of sweater dress.  The versatility and popularity of these dresses has produced a large variety of types for you to choose from.
2. Heavier knits are your friend.  Not everyone has the perfect body shape, or at least a body shape that they necessarily want to show off.  Heavy knits will smooth over the contour of the body, complimenting your figure.  Just remember that a heavier knit doesn’t always mean a chunky knit; you can find fine gauge knits that are still heavy. 
3. Check the length of your dress.  Unless you are a master seamstress and have knit your own sweater dresses, you can’t hem or lengthen your sweater dress.  So make sure that the length your dress provides you is the one you really want, because you are stuck with it!

Survival Tool 2:  The Oversized Sweater

Don’t want to wear a dress?  The oversized sweater is another fashion trend that is sure to keep you comfy and cozy this winter.  Last year’s form-fitting sweaters are out; this year, it’s all about the volume!  And just like the sweater dress, you can easily dress it up or dress it down.  Wearing an oversized sweater over a dressy shirt and slacks can polish it up nicely, and don’t forget to add in some classy jewelry.  Accessorizing is key to your fashion survival this winter season, when the main focus is all about staying warm and still in fashion!

Survival Tool 3:  Jewels (and we don’t mean shiny ones!)

Jewel tones are always fashionable during the winter months, and eggplant is this winter’s in color.  The rich color compliments just about every skin tone, and it is so easy to match up with the rest of your winter wardrobe.  Other great jewel tones include cool blues, raspberry reds, burgundy, and different hues of purple.   Just make sure not to wear too many different jewel tones at the same time!  Try to stick to one if at all possible, and compliment it with bright accent colors.

Survival Tool 4:  Boots and Accessories

As previously mentioned, accessorizing is a highlight of this season’s fashion styles.  The right pair of shoes and a little jewelry can make or break an otherwise boring outfit.  Ankle-high booties are extremely hot right now, with knee high boots and laced up boots. One of the coolest new style trends this season (and going into Spring ’09 for those of you who want to stay ahead of the pack) is cut-out shoes and boots. And for that extra bit of fun, fringes, tassels, and ruffles are taking this winter’s footwear from ordinary to extraordinary!  If you are a little more conservative with your footwear, try matching your shoes to your purse.  Belts also go great with both the sweater dress and the oversized sweater, so be sure you have at least two or three in your wardrobe to choose from.

Shop BHFO now and pick up your winter survival tools!>>