Winter Formal

I’d describe this look as winter formal. No, not the winter formal that saw you and your newly minted sixteen year old friends ending up in a snowbank in cocktail dresses and boots while rerouting the GPS on the way to the dance. But a very sleek, put together “I’m an adult, with adult things to do, but am still enjoying life” look, even though the dress is from the mainstay of every teen’s heart, Delia’s (RIP).

Speaking of the dress, I picked it up about two years ago from my local Delia’s closeout sale for $12. Some might say not to revel in others’ misfortune, but in the shopping world always, and i mean always, take advantage of a store’s brick and mortar failure. On a less morbid note, this purchase probably marked the beginning of my velvet addiction which has since led me to purchasing every clothing item you can imagine in its velvet variation. And kudos to velvet – it keeps you warm and safe from the winter weather while also being plush, a little bit luxe and adding texture to your look.

Now let’s get down to the details: The coat is a Calvin Klein from Macy’s last season, and this beauty’s got brawn. Not only does it have that striking scarlet fabric, this coat is so heavy, actually making it useful for sub-zero windchills unlike many others that don’t have any “fluff” element to them. Plus the pockets are deep! A miracle considering a lot of women’s clothes and accessories don’t have pockets at all (-__-). Paired with a pair of leather gloves I feel like a dreamy news anchor who’s live in five and has it all together.

 

What’s not so weather responsible about this outfit, however, are the tights and booties. Sigh. Suede boots are one paradox that I just can’t resist. You shouldn’t get the suede in the snow but boots are the winter shoe. So, one just has to make the sacrifice for style by wearing them in the snow as I did here. This particular pair, also from Macy’s, has a lot of the same elements as these Yves Saint Laurent boots I’ve been pining over since they debuted a couple of seasons ago but are in my price range and go with almost anything. The heel and pointed toe make them dainty but the gold straps give them some rock n’ roll weight. A match made in heaven. The floral tights from Primark add some drama, which of course, I live for, and make the ensemb ~slightly~ more weather appropriate. At least for those of us ready to duke it out with mother nature for the sake of style!

 

Red coat (16) is from Macy’s. You can find two similar, pricy, options if you’d like that Calvin Klein feel (here and here), but if you want one that’s (slightly more) affordable I’d check this out. Cheap wool coats are hard to come by, but these are two retailers who always have coupons/sales and reduce things after Christmas. Black velvet dress (XL) comes from Delia’s but a similar one can be found here (Although with that trendy front criss-cross strap thing. I’m sorry, but these are the trying times we live in). Tights (L/XL) of the same brand and fit (which I highly recommend!) are at Primark, or there are lookalikes here (pricy) and at Walmart in-store (promise!).