2010 Winter Fashion Styles For Various Shapes, Sizes, Gender Expressions

Hello ladies, and welcome to the winter fashion guide! Today you’ll be viewing things that will hopefully keep you nice and warm until you can get back indoors and de-robe with your ladyfriends in front of the fireplace or whatever it is you do. So, from the bottom(s) up, let’s do this.

Boots

Why do you need boots, you ask? Because they’re amazing. A good pair of boots can make your winter a whole lot more comfortable. Sometimes even practically. I definitely feel better walking amidst icy tree-roots when I’m wearing workboots, and since that tends to happen to me, especially in the winter, I like knowing I have a slightly better chance of not falling. Boots can also simply be pretty and warm and sleek looking, so really there is a boot for everyone, you just need to find it.

Vintage Trim Ankle Boots ($47)

(1) Mustang Gabriella Bootie ($29.95)
(2) Suedette Combat Boots ($32.80)
(3)Haute Homesteading Boot ($44.99) from ModCloth

(4) Chippewa Men’s Boot ($159.10) (comes in smaller sizes!)
(5) Qupid Neco Brown Faux Fur Boot ($49.99) This boot makes me think of viking lions in a good way. If you’re going to do “fur”, don’t settle for anything less than awesome.
(6) Bass Women’s Nikki Ankle Boot ($96.00)

OUTERWEAR

Femme

The beauty of a peacoat descends from it’s versatility. They become, in a phrase, ‘a staple to have in one’s closet’. Like the little black dress or a blue blazer, peacoats can be at once sharp and casual.

“Beautiful Peacoat” ($39.80) from Forever 21

(1) Kenneth Cole Reaction Coat ($98.99)

Steeper in cost, but offers a lot of charm. It comes in an array of colors in case charcoal isn’t your skeeze; the pearl bracelets are optional, per usual.

(2) Jacket from Alloy ($39.99)

A less expensive yet still nice. I’m a fan of the tall neck jacket–it partially eliminates the need for a scarf and has a hood.

(3) Vintage Suede Sweater Jacket ($32)

Vintage sweaters like this one from HolySmokeVintage are perfect for the winter, make good gifts, etc. I feel like there was a time when giving sweaters was an embarrassing or uncouth gift. Personally I’d be stoked if someone gave me any piece of clothing as a present. Anyway, surely you’ll have at least one facebook event asking you to wear an ugly sweater and drink eggnog (if not, you should probably organize that event), so you might as well be prepared.

If you’re looking for something more light-weight to go over all of your sweaters:

Mini For Many ($81)

The Outnet.com says they are the most fashionable fashion outlet. Now, I’m not one to be hierarchical, but this site DOES have a “dress me” application, so it can’t be too far from being true. Cover-ups like this one are good if you like layering sweaters and/or are tall. Long coats are also good for stockings and generally keeping your bum warm.

And if you have the money, feel free to step up your game even more with something like this beautiful Berizlo Coat ($205) from All-Saints.

Less Frill

(1) Oldnavy ($40) (2)  Southpole ($39.99) (3) Lands’ End ($49.50)

I think of less frill coats as the more short, rugged type. You could potentially climb a tree in all three of these without caring if they get a little worn. If you’re of smaller stature, try looking in the boys department.

There are of course nicer versions of rugged coats too. This one’s nice if you like expensive snowboarding coats:

Sessions Force Stripe Snowboard Jacket Kripto Green ($89.95)

The Steffe Jacket ($50.95) is good if you like snowboarding coats but ones that aren’t too expensive. Go over to Amazon.com– they will help you find things.

And don’t forget layering! You’re going to need warm clothes to drink hot chocolate in because coze chilling outfits are a must for optimum coze chilling, you know? Rachel B knows. She suggests a men’s grey zippered cardigan from H&M. She says they’re wonderful and I believe her.

Asos Long Sleeve Speckle Hoodie ($31.03)

This looks really warm/ like space, so I’m a fan. Perfect for layering and talking to girls about space.

Plus Size

Also if you head over to Torrid you’ll be able to get the sweet animal print overcoat you’re regretting not having purchased when we talked about them in the Fall Fashion Guide.

Faux Leopard Swing Coat ($35.96)

Also there’s this Wendy Toggle Coat ($29.99) that’s a good light weight option from this awesome site called FredFlare that you should probably check out. You can also get things like this pocket watch or these texting gloves there. Christmas lists’ ho.

There are also really good vintage options for plus size coats:

Nemres’ vintage Dolce and Gabbana Coat ($99.00)

Also check out this way cheaper red wool coat from VintageGoodness – Plaid & Red Wool Coat ($29.95)

Wildcat Bomber Jacket ($79.60)

How cool does this jacket look? Too cool for you? Wrong. You’re the bees knees. Just like that kid in School of Rock. For the goods, Marc & Ecko has the hookup. Also they have this thing where their muse is Lindsay Lohan, so I guess that means they create the kinds of clothes they think would make Lindsay Lohan attracted to you…thus I think this site is good for like-minded lesbians (who have the money). Even though we would never objectify Lilo quite to this extent, they still have nice sweaters.

Less frill raincoat:
Boss Yellow Rain Jacket ($12.67) and sweet cardigan sweater:
Lotus Fleece Cardigan ($36.99)

WINTRY ACCESSORIES

Once upon a time my cute Russian photography professor had a fight with her boyfriend and bought herself some new winter threads to cheer her up. One item she picked up was a scarf with a hood attached; because as she put it: “there are lots of times when you don’t think you’re going to need a hood, but then you do.”

You can find a nice cheap one over at Belt Outlet ($12.95) or Amazon ($13.99); or if you’re feeling ambitious, knit your own.

So I know I just mentioned this, but I’m going to mention it again. LOOK. Texting gloves ($22). That’s actually what they’re called.

If you’re one of those people who likes wearing dresses no matter what the season, you might want to check out these super comfy looking fleece-lined tights ($35) from Singer22. I think they’re overpriced because famous people shop there or something.

If you want to be adventurous consider putting these over them.

These Thick Black Warm Knit Ladies Winter Legging Tights ($11.99) would also work, and I really appreciated how the title is just a bunch of descriptive words and nouns. Anyway they also look pretty warm and are only 12 dollars.

Other Stuff That’s “In” Lately
And That I Haven’t Really Mentioned…

…military-esque things (go figure), lace, velvet, wearing thick socks with your heels, button-ed up collars, et al.

I think dressing like a mountaineer can be cool too. Maybe get a vest and turtleneck thing going on. Maybe just some brown slacks and an orange sweatshirt with the British flag on it. I don’t know. What do you think mountaineers wear?

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Becky

I'm Becky. I write about style because I think anybody can look great and I think everybody usually does. I'm into self-expression. I'm into being expressive. When I'm not writing about style for Autostraddle I'm usually trying to make a film. I'm also a dancer, so I will Gahu with you anytime, anywhere.

Becky has written 23 articles for us.

77 Comments

  1. I like that hideous, god awful, gross cardigan that was pictured, though somehow I don’t think I’d be able to pull off a men’s large/extra large.

    Also, the shoes(on the right) that are on the Featured Stories graphic, anyone know what those are?

    p.s. I want all the boots.

    • I didn’t actually get to put the photo of the ugly sweater. I was told it was too ugly had gross zipper and such, and that I should never pick out women’s clothing. However, that JCrew Male identified cardigan is so so swell and unfortunately sold out in every size except xlarge now, for shame.

        • You should move to Montreal. It gets hella cold here. And you’ll be able to imaginary cuddle with your imaginary lover, Terracottatoes

          • But that is not where I live. Remember when we discussed that you were moving in with me? What happened to that? I sent you a U-haul and everything. /stupid joke to get back at you for the clam thing

          • actually i’m going to claim e for my own because i like to pretend we have the same name even though secretly deep down inside of me i know her real name is [A SECRET].

          • I will not allow you to OBJECTIFY and CLAIM e as your own as though she were a piece of LAND or a sack of SILVER COINS you found in the middle of the ROAD. e deserves RESPECT, not to be APPROPRIATED. I AM DISAPPOINTED. I am SO disappointed that you have FORCED me to randomly CAPITALIZE.

            (would you be amenable to timesharing e?)

          • stop trying to make this about [A SECRET] when clearly your JEALOUSY has OVERTAKEN all your ability to think RATIONALLY. just to let you KNOW the THREE of US might all go to the SAME school NEXT YEAR. how are you going to DEAL with that PROXIMITY.

            (timesharing sounds fine. i get her tuesday, thursday, and saturday. sunday can be family picnic time.)

          • I am so upset right now. I think e is a little hussy. She’s clearly been making a lot of promises to a lot of people. You can have her. Do you hear that, e, do you?! THEY CAN HAVE YOU. I DON’T WANT YOU ANYMORE. YOU’VE GOTTEN THE LAST PICTURE OF ME WEARING A DILDO THAT YOU WILL EVER RECEIVE. NO MORE DILDO PICTURES. EVER.

          • I feel like making popcorn when you kids get going.

            Take that anyway you’d like. I know you will.

  3. for the love of winter don’t waste your money on those texting gloves, knit them yourself (OK, those ones are crochet, but you can knit them too). They don’t even have a freaking thumb gusset because, I don’t know, maybe thumb gussets are hard to make when you’re crocheting (hookers, man, IDK) BUT ANYWAY WHATEVER. It’s real simple and goes like this:
    1. Knit a square.
    2. Sew it up the side and leave a hole.

    OKAY NOW YES those ones aren’t exactly garter stitch BUT buy a stitch dictionary and make a pretty lace square, that’s OK! You can do it in the round too and then you don’t have to sew it up. OH HEY LOOK WHAT’S THAT IT’S LIKE FIVE FREAKING ZILLION FREE PATTERNS (OK, 1271, that’s a lot of patterns) ON RAVELRY SORTED BY POPULARITY (http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/search#photo=yes&craft=knitting&view=captioned_thumbs&query=fingerless%20mitts&availability=free&sort=queues but you have to be a member but here, how about a hers’n’hers couple pairs of Dashing (http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEspring07/PATTdashing.html) and Fetching (http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEsummer06/PATTfetching.html)? I gave a pair of Nalu mitts (http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/nalu-mitts) to one of my fave lesbos last year and she was pretty into them. Pair of those and a matching hat and you’ll be as warm as if you sliced open a tauntaun and climbed inside. (And way less smelly.) Or you could knit Ysolda’s totally hot garter mitts (http://ysolda.com/2007/11/25/garter-stitch-mitts/). These ones look a lot like the ones in the photo (http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/emerald-green-handwarmer).

    oh my gosh you guys, I know knitting isn’t for everyone and for some stuff (sweaters) it’s cheaper just to buy. But mitts are like the funnest things in the world to knit and I reckon they’d be a great starter project. and you know how many queers there are in the crafty world. SO MANY. it’s like middle aged housewives, hipsters, and us. don’t get ripped off buying those things (TWENTY DOLLARS for reals the yarn is probs only worth 5 and it’s not like they’re handmade.)

    Also: that studded scarf thing on the first page. man. I want that. I would never look as hip as the invisible person wearing it in the photo. but it’s so cute.

    • I just ordered some of their, uh, damnforgetthename…Like boxer briefs but lowrise and shorter. trunks or something? whatevs, they came in bright green so i snagged some!
      (along with some cute aerie undies for my girlie. :D)

      Good to hear they’re awesome. Are they soft? I love me some soft underthings. mmm.

      • Low Rise Trunks? Oh yeah they are awesome. I have a ton from my working at American Eagle days. They last pretty long time and stay pretty soft. They keep their color pretty well too. The new waistband is also much more comfortable than their old just elastic waist band. Woo for bright green!
        And good call, gotta do one for her one for you.

        • Haha, well, more like 4 for her, 2 for me. They’re part of her christmas present after all. ;) (Rockin’ 5/$25 deal).
          Good to hear they’re nice trunks.

          Ugh, now I has a sad though. AE lied to me and my package is being shipped UPS instead of USPS like I was led to believe…thus package is being mailed to the wrong address and I probs won’t get it in time. facepalm.
          such is life! I have other things for her.

          • Darn that aerie! You can get a billion ladies undies during sales for 20 bucks but you can get two maybe three on a boxer/brief sale.

            Did you try contacting either? With a lite legwork they should be able to update you shipping info.

            If you have other stuff for her, no face palm. more like high five for planning ahead!

          • Oh yes, I sent them a slightly annoyed but respectful e-mail. We’ll see what they come up with. :P

            Ahhh, I know right. 5/$25 ladies vs 2/$20 mens. :( Lol at least I wear both so I snag some aerie ones every so often.

            And more like high five for spending-more-than-I-should cause I want to buy her ALL THE THINGS. Her birthday is pretty soon after christmas though, so even if they’re late I can turn them into birthday gift.

      • oh yes the low rise trunks are the ones i’m talking about. they’re worth the money! and you can get some on clearance too for ~$8. (i hope you checked that?)

  6. This is clearly not written for real winters. A cheap wool coat will not be warm enough once it gets below freezing.

    • it’s true that sometimes what you can afford just isn’t enough to keep you warm… :( that’s where layering comes in. like onions. and ogres. and parfaits (yumm)

      • YOU ASK SOMEBODAY “HEY MAN YOU WANT PARFAY?” AINT NOBDY SAY “HELL NO I DONT LIKE NO PARFAY!”

        oh my god. so many points you just earned for that reference i have been making to clueless glares for the past nine years.

  9. My favorite boots ever are Doc Martens. I’ve been wearing the classic 8-eye style forever; they are unbelievably comfortable and supportive in all terrain and most weather (they are not insulated, so I wear them with cozy socks on frigid New England days). The best part is that they look super stylish while also alerting the world that I do, in fact, mean business.

  11. I’m currently so hot I’m considering divorcing my wife and marrying the air-conditioner instead (turns out they were right. Marrying inanimate objects relly does come next) and I STILL want that fuzzy hat/coat/tights/boots combination.

    Damn opposite hemispheres. The internet is forever making me want things I can’t have/

  13. Dear Autostraddle, my cousin is fashion-y and might be interested in writing a similar piece for us southern hemisphere/not-so-cold northern hemisphere peeps? Would that be something that you would be interested in? She blogs and things so knows how to write (if that makes sense). Just an offer x

    • It is something *I* would be interested in. Maybe if AS doesn’t want it she can just email me pretty clothes? And then maybe organise someone to buy them for me…

      • Awesome. I shall get her to do that, she’s pretty good at things like finding awesome clothes. She does it for a job even.

  14. Hey, I could use some advice! Sooo I want to wear boxer briefs because I love them and the men shouldn’t get to have all of the fun. BUT sizing is an issue for me! I want my undies to be around my hips–I wouldn’t mind a little waistband peekage, but I don’t want the band actually at my waist and covering my navel and all that. Do I need to give up that hope? If not, how do I find a size that fits comfortably around my hips but isn’t gigantic in the ass? You see, my waist is approx. 11 inches smaller than my hips, and I have a tiny ass. Not very conducive to boxer briefs.

    • Here are some suggestions
      Calvin Klein’s men’s Hip brief:

      http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=256863&PseudoCat=se-xx-xx-xx.esn_results

      Its not a Boxer Brief but a brief that sits lower on your hips.

      Emporio Armani Lady version of their popular men’s trunks if that might help your hips

      http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=370522&CategoryID=225&LinkType=

      And lastly actual advice: No you don’t need to give up that hope! Waistband peekage is swell and you can have it too! If you want a trunk/ square cut boxer brief, try 2xsist. They fit pretty well in the waist but stretch well all over. Or even try a low rise trunk/boxer brief/ etc, they are actually sized to fit your hip and give a tiny bit of peekage. Word to the wise, try and find an underwear that doesn’t have the word contour pouch so that you don’t have an oddly shaped front region.

      Try some of these sites: mensunderwearstore.com (free shipping)
      macys.com (all types most designers actually offer an identical version for women)
      internationaljock.com

        • Hi, I’m butting in to suggest some more to you! :)

          I wear the Hanes Premium Comfort Flex boxer briefs. They fit nice and smooth and snug on your thighs and don’t ride up at all when you pull up your pants, etc. They also come in “trunks” if you like the legs a bit shorter instead of mid thigh. They’re the ultimate in comfort and I’ll never ever wear a different kind.

          The only unfortunate bit is that the two packs don’t come in anything other than black/grey and dark blue/light blue.

  15. Here is a photo of me enjoying said H&M zippered cardigan. It has one a collar and big, deep pockets and it is the warmest thing I have ever put my body inside of. Idk, probs everyone should wear one and enjoy their coffee wrapped inside its magnificent warmth.

  16. My favorite part of winter is getting away with wearing my ridiculous hats. You can’t argue against a girl wearing a penguin/ mohawk/ wierd beret thing etc. when it’s keeping said girl warm.

  19. Those lace-up boots on the front page are SO MINE. Also someone needs to tell Jeffrey Campbell to make vegan versions of his shoes. Seriously so much fierce style.

  21. Franco, can you write more often??? I love your Star Wars references and Sock Dreams endorsements! SOCK DREAMS FTW!!!

    Also, warm vintage woolen peacoats and LL Bean hiking boots would totally impoverish me IF I bought them at a real store. But I bought them at a thrift and still have money for food and firewood.

    • I would love to write more often whether for AS or for myself (I lazily blog on occasion).

      My whole life is filled with Star Wars references and I AM SO GLAD YOU LOVED IT! In fact, in honor of you, I’m going to watch star wars now and recite episode 4 line for line.

      Bartering also works. I traded for a bag full of clothes and hats with a lovely gent moving to Canada for a woolen bomber jacket that was too small.

      I will trade woolen peacoat for the secret to making fires anywhere….it would make me a much more marketable cub for the lovely muscle bears!

  22. I love winter soooo much because I get to wear weird hats originally make for children and sweaters with pictures of kittens on them!

  23. I wear my boots by Justin: yep, country. Specifically, these: http://bit.ly/eMBXDW
    They look like regular boots when your pant legs are down around them, not cowboy boots. Plus, they are way more comfortable then regular boots, almost like running shoes.

    Also, ALSO-you would not believe how many times I have been wandering around the forest, looking at all the new fallen snow and budding saplings thinking: you know what this moment needs, A GIANT BASS DRUM. Where can I get the giant fucking bass drum?!?! I must have it. It would be the perfect winter accessory.

  24. I could SO write a feature ALL ABOUT mountaineering clothes. Hey, I wear them pretty much all the time at the moment because it’s fuggin freezing in the UK right now. Honestly, all my disposable income gets spent on mountaineering clothes / gear.

    I am trying to master the near impossible by combining practical with cool right now, and surprisingly, most outdoors shops are wising up and actually designing some great stuff to keep you toasty AND fashionable in the sub-zero.

    My favourite winter purchase thus far:

    http://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/products.detail/code/1C310108

    They are perfect with an iPhone, touchscreen camera, mp3 player etc.

    I also bought a trapper hat, which is my new love.

    I could spend a while day writing this… but I’m at work, so will get back to it.

    Dot x

  25. “. . . figuring out whether or not you should ask that cute girl to go ice skating.”

    Hint: yes you definitely should.

  27. Exceptional post! Perusing the images of clothes y’all selected felt like drinking a hefty mug of peppermint hot cocoa while a kitten in a santa hat snuggles with me in front of the fireplace. I particularly enjoyed all the boots suggestions, as well as the anecdote about the Russian photo prof. Her logic was really sound. Bravo, Becks! Can’t wait till spring!!

  28. Urban outfitters made the top ten list of anti-gay stores because the owner donates a lot of money to anti-gay campaigns. I know. Super upsetting.

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