Fashion - Hot for Her

She’s got the look
Updated ’80s pieces and wrap dresses are hot for women this season
Marlo Campbell

For women, this is the time to look good without sacrificing warmth — bronchitis is not sexy, no matter what you’re wearing.

Here are a few key trends that should keep you hot and warm.

Great looks

• Layering — Try a dress worn over skinny jeans; a lace-trimmed cami, an oversized deep-V-neck sweater and a pair of leggings; or a structured blouse, a cute knitted vest and a cropped blazer.

Add a scarf. And some gloves.

Layers, provided they’re done right and don’t look sloppy, are practical and stylish. More is more.

• Menswear-inspired fashion — Plaids, checks, houndstooth patterns and tweeds are hot right now, especially in suiting, which is a must-have fall/winter staple.

Little details will keep things from becoming too masculine — look for rounded shoulders, gathering at the pockets, cute buttons and fitted, cropped shapes.

A great new way to wear a suit: leave the blazer at home and wear cropped pants with a matching button-up vest. The look is tailored and clean and will allow you to show off your hot new pair of wedge-heeled tall boots.

• Refined ’80s — Don’t panic. No one’s advocating for the return of shoulder pads, but the ’80s influence is unmistakable right now, showing up in long, chunky sweaters; skinny jeans; blouses that tie at the neck; and even footwear (remember slouchy boots?).

This season’s look is updated, sophisticated ’80s, complete with finishing touches in matte gold accessories. Think Sade, not Cyndi Lauper.

• Colour — Brown is warm and cozy, and it works well with fall’s earthy palette of oranges, rusts and olive greens. Ideally, pick up something in a rich chocolate. Mmm.

Jewel tones like peacock blue, magenta, teal and deep purple are also hot and will pull double duty as easy holiday wear. Use in moderation with smoky grey and classic black.

• Japanese styling — Wide kimono-inspired sleeves, silk blouses with belts (tie them in the back to accentuate the look), mandarin collars and Asian prints — do your part to bridge the gap between East and West.

• Texture (especially fur) — Fur trim is everywhere and is available in real or faux, depending on your ethics. Also try some suede, lace, cable-knits or leather — then try and resist the urge to rub yourself at the office.

Key Pieces

• Long tops — Choose a chunky sweater, fine-knit tunic or button-up shirt, then make sure to emphasize your waist by wearing a wide leather belt.

• Leggings — Who needs pants? Under a long sweater, textured leotards or lace-trimmed leggings work just as well. Finish the look with ballerina flats or boots.

• Skinny jeans — They’re not easy to pull off, but this season they’re hot. Dark washes are nice, but blacks and light greys are even better.

• Wide trouser pants — The antithesis of skinny jeans. Channel Katharine Hepburn and work wide trouser pants with a soft, feminine top.

• Coats — You’ll be outside more than you think. Make your outerwear a showpiece — pick a wool coat with an exaggerated collar, or be daring and go for one in camel or cream. Turn heads.

• Wrap dresses — The right wrap dress will take you far. A nice buy can be suitable for work, upscale lunches, cocktail hour and church (not necessarily in that order). You really can’t go wrong.

Fashion - Hot for Him

Hot hot him
Guys — get a blazer and a striped shirt. It’s time. Suck it up and do it
Marlo Campbell

Looking good will take a man far, whether he’s courting success in the workplace, the bedroom or life in general. Stylish outfits should be considered invaluable tools. Use them. Reap the benefits.

Key trends

• Layering — Look hot while staying warm. Start with a T-shirt, then add a button-up shirt, a hoodie and a jacket. Avoid excess bulk by choosing fine-gauge knits and slimmer cuts. And don’t forget your scarf.

• Stripes — This season’s must-have, stripes are showing up everywhere — from bold rugby shirts to subtle pinstripe suits to versatile wool sweaters.

Make sure to get yourself at least one striped dress shirt — whether you opt for contrasting colours or tone-on-tone, a striped shirt will update any pair of pants.

• Details — Look for military influences like epaulettes on shoulders or cargo pockets on pants. Look for hidden accents such as brightly coloured inner linings or asymmetrical seaming. Look for textures like boiled wool or hand-worked leather. Look for interesting buttons or French cuffs with cufflinks. Look closely — the world of detailing awaits you.

• Colour — Break out of your blue comfort zone, even if it happens to be popular this season (which it is).

Grey, whether it’s a soft ash or a deep charcoal, is a great neutral. So is brown, which will work well with pops of earthy pumpkins, rusts, olives and golds.

Of course, you can always go for classic black or navy — or break the rules and wear both of them together. You rebel, you.

• Slim silhouettes — Think James Bond (the Sean Connery years) or any member of The Killers. Sex up your jeans with a slim blazer — one or two buttons only — or a sculpted, shorter suit jacket. The same concept goes for pants — burn anything with pleats in front.

Key Pieces

• Slim-fit jeans — If you’re stockier, you can still get the skinny-jeans look with nice straight-leg denim. Keep your washes dark because the rips and whiskers of this past spring are on the outs, although raw denim (which you break in yourself) is still a great option.

• Fitted blazers — Integral to the aforementioned slim-silhouette trend, a fitted blazer will get you into upscale restaurants, clubs with dress codes, holiday work functions and casual weddings. Invest in one — you’ll get your money’s worth.

• Pea coats — Bulky parkas, while good for skiing and/or sneaking beer into the Grey Cup game, are inappropriate for many of life’s other occasions.

A simple black slim-fit peacoat — long enough to cover your suit jacket — will take you from day to night, keep you warm and show the world that you are a man, not just one of the boys.

• Sweaters — Sweaters are a fall/winter staple. For a rugged look, try a chunky cotton cable-knit. For a preppy look with some edge, go for a fine-knit button-up cardigan (not just for grandpas and Kurt Cobain).

When in doubt, pick up a solid crew neck or V-neck — wool if you can handle the itch factor, cotton if you can’t. It’s simple and easy — just like you.