Make The Look Your Own: Covering up and staying classy

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A high-fashion outfit in chilly weather is all about balancing warm, cozy and bulky pieces with slim-fitting shapes. Snag Kerry Washington's look by pairing a chunky scarf with a fitted jacket.

In the wake of this year's Halloween festivities (when did it turn into such a marathon?), I'd like to write a little ode to covering up. While Halloween might still take the cake as the best excuse to subscribe to the less is less philosophy of dressing, it is now over for another year. Let's take this opportunity to add a little class, a little warmth and a lot of style into our winter wardrobe.

This year it is possible (and fashionable) to pile layer upon layer of knits, scarves, coats and shawls all over yourself and get away with it. This look is comfy, warm and versatile, but also can be tricky to pull off. The key to bundling up without assuming the shape and size of a snowman is to keep in mind proportion, silhouette and balance.

Generally, the most volume we will get from layering sweaters, scarves, shawls and coats is going to happen on our upper body. To keep your look balanced, you should pair voluminous tops with more slim bottoms. Think skinny jeans, slim skirts or leggings (when and only when your top comes down past your hips). Skinny pants also happen to be great for sliding into your favourite pair of boots, which can further streamline your bottom half.

Another great tip to keep in mind is that you don't want all of your layering pieces to be voluminous, and keeping some of them slim-fitting will help to keep your silhouette in good shape. A clever way to do this is pick one bulky item to wear at once, and tone it down with more close-to-the-body pieces. For example, if you have a very chunky knit sweater with a dolman sleeve (the bat-wing look), pairing it with a tight black longsleeve tee will add layers and warmth without adding bulk. Or, if the focus of your outfit is a colossal circle scarf, then consider keeping the rest of your look narrower. You could start with a basic tee shirt or blouse, add a light-knit sweater, cardigan or blazer, and then top it off with the scarf.

Now that you have the basics down pat, there are some great trends happening right now that can add a little pizazz to your coldweather wardrobe. Starting from the top, hats of all shapes and sizes are available and do wonders for your warmth and your style. Scarves have made their way into top rotation for everyday use as well as more formal occasions. Printed options in jewel tones and bright colours are very trendy right now and are a great way to jazz up a more plain-Jane ensemble. Keep your eyes out for faux-fur and/or animal print options, as these will elevate your look from street style to high fashion. For sweaters, more is more in the chunky department. Cropped options are popular and great for layering, but please keep in mind that if it's cold enough to wear a sweater, it is too cold to bare a midriff. Dolman, three-quarter- length sleeves, high-low hemlines and shoulder studs are some chic embellishments that can take a sweater from a cozy day in to a night out.

Covering up doesn't have to be stuffy or conservative. There are many ways to keep warm while still looking chic. Take some inspiration from ladylike celebrities such as Kate Middleton, Adele and Natalie Portman (among many others) who prove that you can be beautiful, popular, talented and famous without baring it all.