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How to stay stylish in the winter cold

Sophisticated style: McKeisha Smith tends to stick to darker shades in the winter (Photograph by Blaire Simmons)

Winter clothes needn’t be drab. Lifestyle spotted three chic women on the city streets and asked for their tips for looking great when the weather isn’t.

It’s a fun task for consultant Kristen Palmer.

“When it gets cooler here in the winter months I get excited and probably dress as if it’s colder than it actually is,” the Toronto native said.

“One of my favourite fashions in the winter is layering.

“It’s trendy and convenient for this type of weather. You can add them on if it gets cool or pull some layers off if necessary. Plus, when you’re in the air conditioning at the office you’ll need the extra warmth.”

The 30-year-old’s dress code is smart, casual and comfortable. Her job doesn’t require her to dress up in formal business attire every day.

It means she’s able to experiment, and personalise her outfits as she sees fit. “I have a fairly dynamic wardrobe so I typically dress according to my mood that day,” she said.

“I love putting together a simple and plain outfit and adding something unique and bold to it. I love layering on jewellery and some bright coloured lipstick to make a basic outfit dressy.”

She gets her fashion inspiration from magazines and sites like Pinterest.

She also follows a few fashion bloggers; Blair Eadie of Atlantic Pacific is her current favourite.

“I appreciate her creativity and how she pulls together a number of ordinary and reasonably priced pieces with one focus item such as a statement necklace, pair of stylish boots or a designer bag,” Ms Palmer added.

McKeisha Smith isn’t afraid of colour, but tends to stick to darker shades in the winter.

“My love of dark colours is something I got from my mother. She wears black all the time and I appreciate that more now, as I mature,” the 40-year-old said.

“In the winter I don’t always wear a jacket but I will throw on a scarf and a vest, like I did today, to stay warm. I think in the winter good style boils down to being sophisticated — and wearing pants is always good, especially when it’s damp or windy outside. It helps keep your legs warm.”

While she still tries to be trendy, comfort has become the most important factor for her, the human resources manager said.

“As you get older you don’t really want to show your age, so you try to add in some trends in a subtle way.

“Just because you’re 40 doesn’t mean you have to dress like you’re 40. I’m inspired a lot by watching my mom’s style. She’s always been fashionable and finds a way to dress professionally and well put together anytime she leaves the house. Growing up I’d always play dress-up out of her closet and she’s still inspiring me to this day.”

Ayesha Beckham suggests people buy signature pieces they can mix and match with regular items.

“A nice coat, printed scarf, funky boots and hats are great winter items that can make any outfit pop,” said the commercial banking sales manager.

“I feel that adding the right accessories can make a big difference to anyone’s overall look.”

The 30-year-old prefers clothes that are stylish and comfortable.

“I mostly purchase simple and understated pieces that you wouldn’t normally find at your average department store,” she said.

“Overall my style is quite casual and relaxed. I feel being comfortable in what you wear is very important.

“I’m not one that cares for tons of flash so I dress in clothing that I feel confident and relaxed in.”

Most of her inspiration comes from sites like Instagram but she also loves Fashion Daily, House of CB and Revolve Clothing.

“I may not always purchase clothing that is as extravagant or fashion-forward as those sites normally display, but I feel they’re a reminder that it’s okay to have fun with your style,” she said.

Keeping cosy: Kristen Palmer advises wearing layers (Photograph by Blaire Simmons)
Looking sharp: Ayesha Beckham suggests people buy signature pieces they can mix and match with regular items (Photograph by Blaire Simmons)