Keeping Warm And Looking Good

Oh, the weather outside is frightful – but that doesn't mean you can't look stylish when you step out the door. This year, winter wear is about a lot more than puffy jackets and clunky shearling boots, especially in New York, the fashion capitol of the world. Here in Prospect Heights, plenty of locally owned boutiques are offering fashionable coats, boots, scarves and hats that will keep you feeling toasty and looking good.

Jamila Johnson, owner of Jamila's, says that all you need is a "nice hat and a scarf" to make a cold weather outfit pop. She suggests crocheted hats, knitted scarves and fur trim.

"Dress in layers, put on your heavy leggings, your nice socks, a sweater and a scarf, and you're good to go."

She says adding a little sparkle with jewelry never hurts, either.

Dana Ottey, owner of , suggests sweater dresses with leggings and plenty of color. She shows off a dress by Lidira, a German brand ("It's loose, oversized for leggings," she says), and sweaters made out Alpaca wool. She also shows off colorful wool skirts in fun prints made by local designer Kassandra Bromfield.

For those that fear racking up their dry cleaning bill buying wool items, AweDacity stocks many styles in boiled wool, which is completely machine wachable.

Ottey shows off cute felted cloche hats by Kasha N., from Poland, which will keep your head warm and looking good on a chilly day. There are plenty in gray and black, but Ottey is partial to the hot pink.

"You need pops of color on really dreary days," she says.

Look From London, a local Brooklyn brand, makes warm tights with leopard and plaid prints – and AweDacity has them in stock.

"They're warm, and you can have fun with patterns and prints," says Ottey.

Vintage fans can head to 1 Of A Find Vintage for classic Pucci and Coogi sweaters ("Cosby sweaters," laughs sales associate Lorna Gaddis), as well as nubby cardigans for men, and faux fur jackets for women.

Gaddis pulls out an orange Bonnie Cashin jacket ("It's super warm," she says) and a Lily Anne faux fur mod jacket.

Jackets are about $85-150, sweaters about $50-115 and boots range from $100-185 at the store, owned by proprietor Honey Moon.

"The nice thing about buying winter clothes vintage is that you're pretty much guaranteed they're made with real materials: real wool, angora, no acrylic or polyester. It definitely makes a difference when it's cold," Gaddis says.