Let's talk about a topic that is very close to my heart. Winter. I am absolutely in love with winter fashion. My pinterest fashion board is 70%  winter street styles, with various types of jackets, sweaters, boots, and scarves.

Realistically thought, winter and style are pretty much archenemies. You either choose warmth or style. Honestly, rarely anybody looks good in winter, except those fashion bloggers who don't seem to be affected by weather. It's hard to look chic when you're freezing your ass off or when you're marshmallowed-up in a fluffy parka twice your size. All in all, being stylish is nearly impossible, especially when you live in a country that’s 60% winter (*ahem Canada). But I'm here to tell you that there is hope! You can be stylish even in the midst of -20 degree weather! Here are a couple of tricks that will help you stay warm and stylish this winter :)

1. Turtlenecks.

Turtlenecks are back! Have they ever left? I'm not sure, I always thought they were cool…? For a cold day, double up on turtlenecks. Wear a tight, thin turtleneck underneath a bulkier, thick one. 

2. Thermal tights.

Similar to the thinner turtlenecks, thermal tights go underneath your outfit and won't be seen. But they are key to keeping you warm, especially is you'll be outside for long periods of time.

3. Long socks.

This is key for staying warm. You can either show them off if they're long enough or have them tucked under your tall boots. Even if you're not wearing warm boots, you can double up on long socks to stay warm.

4. Tall boots.

This is another item that will actually affect your look. Nice fitted tall boots can keep your shape in the winter. Look for boots that hit just below the knees and are tightly fitted around the calves. This will help you look less bulky.

5. Scarves.

Ask anyone who knows me in real life. I LOVE SCARVES. I have 2 sections of my closet dedicated to just scarves. My mom started collecting scarves when she was in university and the collection has been growing for 20 years. Scarves are in my opinion the ultimate key to staying warm and looking sophisticated in the wintertime. It adds colours, patterns, and textures to any dull winter outfit. And lets be honest, without scarves and hats, everyone's going to look the same in their big coat.

6. Hats.

Hats of any kind will help keep your head warm. Berets, felt hats, knits are all great options. One of my personal favourites, which I'm not even sure counts as a hat, but it goes on your head so… I guess it counts? Earmuffs! Earmuffs are so so important for when you're walking around the city, especially given the wind tunnel effect on downtown streets. You'll want to protect your ears from the chilling cold.

7. Mittens.

Do you like cold hands? I hate cold hands. No one wants to shake a hand that feels like an icicle. If you're heading to a meeting, please wear gloves so you won't scar the person your meeting forever.

8. Nice jacket.

It's preferably wool or faux fur (cuz the age of real fur is long gone), lined for extra warmth. It fits you perfectly, ESPECIALLY around the shoulders to avoid looking boxy or too bulky. It's longer and hits somewhere between mid thigh to just below the knees OR if you wanna go big, the coat hits your ankles (the longer the coat, the warmer you'll be). 

Teddy bear coats and puffer jackets are also huge this winter and are literally the warmest things ever. But beware, your friends will be tempted to pat your teddy bear coat every time they see you. Hands off. Please. 

9. Layers.

Honestly, just remember to layer. You have your basic outfit. Add in to your routine a 3 step process before you actually leave your home. 1. Scarf. 2. Hat. 3. Mitts. Do not leave the house without these three things. THIS IS VITAL TO YOUR WINTER SURVIVAL.

The key here really is to layer up. Layer under or over, or both for maximum impact. You'll look so chic this winter, and not at the expense of warmth. Get layering <3