Stripes in the Snow

This past weekend, Fashion Week was in full swing. It’s a tough occasion to dress for — but in all honesty, dressing for snow is always more difficult.

Turtleneck: Neiman Marcus | Striped Shirt: Souvenir from Morocco | Striped Skirt: Zara | Beanie: Brandy Melville | Shoes: Phillip Lim 3.1 (Consignment)
Turtleneck: Neiman Marcus | Striped Shirt: Souvenir from Morocco | Striped Skirt: Zara | Beanie: Brandy Melville | Shoes: Phillip Lim 3.1 (Consignment)

This outfit is a prime example of the necessary evil that is layering. My top half is shielded by a turtleneck underneath a Moroccan blouse. (The striped blouse was last seen here; turtleneck last seen here). My inspiration for the combination of stripes with stripes with the turtleneck came courtesy of Look 1 from Tanya Taylor’s F/W 2015 show.

A look from Tanya Taylor's latest runway show.
Stripes-On-Stripes: A look from Tanya Taylor’s latest runway show.

I am not convinced I love the turtleneck underneath the blouse. Like paprika, turtlenecks have a strong flavor — and they can overwhelm an outfit. There’s also an inevitable schoolmarm vibe, and I can’t help but feel like I am a tapestry vest and perm away from becoming my third grade teacher.

Leandra Medine of Man Repeller has long extolled the virtue of layering turtlenecks underneath everything from sweaters to dresses. I am not yet convinced. Some may be able to imbue a turtleneck with sex appeal and ironic charm, but I am not one of them.

 

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The beanie was another necessary evil. Whenever I get dressed up, I loathe wearing a casual hat. But I can’t come up with a reasonable alternative. Luckily, the New York Times style reporter Vanessa Friedman decreed that beanies are officially a “trend,” per her recent dispatch from the Public School runway show. Does that make me a trailblazer?

Lastly, the striped skirt is my stab at the midi-length trend. The long, lean line is flattering and a nice break from the bland tastefulness of a knee-length pencil skirt. That said, midi-skirts are a nightmare for brisk walkers — so be sure to add an extra 10 minutes to your commute time.

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