From a knitted infinity scarf to an open cardigan, cold-weather clothing can enable fashionable dress, instead of hinder it.
Without sacrificing style for warmth, many trendy winter clothing items and accessories can amp up an appearance for a day at work or an evening out.
Jefferson City area clothing retailers offer aspiring fashionistas ideas for beating both the cold and the passe.
Nikki Payne, owner of the Snob Shop Exchange, advocates the use of layers that "provide a fashionable possibility without the bulk," she said. "They (layers) can keep you warm while showing off your figure and personal style," she said.
Payne discussed the use of three different layers in order to provide optimal warmth and still allow for a visible feminine figure.
Payne advised wearing a camisole or slim-fitting T-shirt for the first layer, then adding a button-down shirt and cardigan, vest or jacket for the second and third layers.
"For warmth, concentrate on the second layer. You can still look good and not look bulky. You can always take off the layers," she said.
Judy Howard, owner of Saffee's, reiterated Payne's advocacy of wearing layers for maximum warmth.
Howard emphasized the use of thin, yet warm fabrics, such as spandex "so you can still move," she said.
"You want to still feel comfortable," Howard said.
While lighter cardigans are popular, larger relaxed-fit sweaters are also trendy this winter, according to Payne.
"The nineties look is coming back, with loose-fitting sweaters," Payne said.
Shanna Luebbert modeled a thin silver scarf over a cream knit sweater with black leggings, all three of which she purchased from the Snob Shop Exchange. She also modeled a white pea coat with a floral-print scarf from the Snob Shop Exchange.
Lynette Wiles modeled an asymmetrical wrap sweater. She also wore a donegal tweed infinity scarf, both of which came from Saffee's.
Scarves can provide both glamour and insulation as diversely colored and patterned winter accessories, Payne said.
"Scarves are big right now," Payne said.
From more traditional knitted scarves to thin and infinity varieties, scarves can add a burst of color to winter outfits, especially the conventional black and gray colors of winter, which are "old school but still in," Payne said.
Other accessories such as earrings and handbags can also infuse different hues into an outfit of predominantly neutral colors, she said.
Judy Howard, owner of Saffee's, reiterated Payne's recommendation of the addition of accessories into a primarily neutral-colored outfit.
"Basics are basics. Black always fits with a splash of color," she said.
Howard suggested wearing three matching accessories in tandem, such as a purse, ring and bracelet to complement a scarf.
Leggings can also be a winter-weather necessity, Payne said.
While leggings paired with boots could suffice for a casual workday, leggings could also be worn beneath a dress or tunic shirt for an evening out, Payne said.
For outerwear, Saffee's offers genuine fur coats, which Howard characterized as "something you can put on every day," she said.
The mink coats provide considerable warmth in both long and short-hair varieties, some of which are reversible, Howard said.
"The mink is reversible to silk or taffeta, which can shield from wind," Howard said.
Wiles and Jaylena Phillips both modeled reversible fur coats. Wiles wore a sheared mink coat with a tuxedo fur-dyed collar, while Phillips donned a sheared mink parka with crystal fox trim on the hood.