When Fashion & Forecast Collide: How to Be Hot in Extreme Weather

Fashion is an all-weather event — just ask anyone who attends NYFW in February. Yet so many fashionistas forgo their usual flair when the weather gets rough. Below is our exclusive styling guide to get you looking great when the temps are hot or cold:

So Hot in Here

While it seems like every girl and her mother loves a good maxi dress these days, anyone who lives in humidity know that a maxi traps the heat and can create a seriously swampy and uncomfortable situation. So unless they’re in a super breathable or sheer fabric, maxi’s are not the way to go for keeping cool in the summer months. Calf-length skirts and dresses are hip and retro and a great alternative to maxi’s with just as much coverage. Whether you’re headed to the boardwalk or a summer wedding, this dress length is on trend and easy to dress up or down.

A Word About Summer Feet

Ditch the flip-flops, please! They are unbelievably unflattering and horrible for your feet. The most universally flattering sandals have one thing in common: an ankle strap. First of all, any shoe with an ankle strap is a thousand times easier to walk in. Look for a cute little sandal with an ankle strap that hits at the most narrow part of your ankle. Even a centimeter below that, and your ankles will look wider; but if you find a strap that hits right at the narrowest point, your ankles will look narrow and you'll instantly look taller, leaner and more proportionate. Always check yourself in a full-length mirror when trying on shoes. They really do change your whole look, including your posture.

Cold Weather Combat

Nothing makes a girl more cranky than freezing cold feet, right? That’s why rubber boots are your best friend in a cold and slushy city. Fortunately, rubber boots have come a long way in the style department over the last few years. What used to be footwear that you only wore to shovel snow in are now a fantastic and mind-bogglingly practical way to make a fashion statement. Get them in polka dots or houndshooth if you really need to break out of that cold weather rut. Add leggings and a sweater dress, and you’re rocking the "NYC model on her day off" uniform.

When it comes to outerwear, you should always have a hood. At least one water-resistant outer layer with a hood is mandatory for any well-prepared wardrobe. And remember, if you really want to be warm, the longer the jacket the warmer the wearer. Shorter, cropped or puffer jackets give you shape but long jackets (calf length or longer) are what will really keep you warm. Get creative belting your longer jacket with a unique thrifted scarf to add interest and keep your figure from getting lost.

Accessorize, Ladies

Gloves, a beanie, and a scarf are way better to have and not need than to freeze your little fashionista fingers off trying to post a pic. And oh yeah; gloves that work on the touchscreen of your iPad or smartphone are totally a thing now. You can even get them online for super cheap.

When it comes to headwear, it’s all about the beanie. Make sure yours is on the looser side. A tight beanie looks dated and also really messes up your coif. Once you’re inside, you’re definitely taking the beanie off, right? So bring reinforcements: keep a tiny bottle of hairspray and an old toothbrush in your purse or desk. Spray the toothbrush and swipe away flyaways in the bathroom mirror.

Play with different shapes and proportions of scarves to stay warm and add a different element of proportion to your outfit. Pinterest is flooded with "How to Tie a Scarf" boards to get your brain going. Not all scarves are long and narrow. Pick up a few vintage ones in different shapes at your local thrift store. Practice with a few different shapes and sizes. Shoot to have three favorite scarves that you can wrap and/or tie in a few different ways. This gives you lots of quick options while getting dressed on a chilly morning.

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FENDI Couture Fall 2015

Karl Lagerfeld celebrated his 50th year designing for Fendi with the most extravagant display of fur and feathers. Chinchilla, sable and mink, golds, silvers and floor-length capes made for a very lavish presentation. A fur-lover's dream.

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Schiaparelli Couture Fall 2015

Schiaparelli delivered a beautiful and elegant collection of haute couture for Fall 2015. Under new creative direction from Bertrand Guyon, we saw a classy balance of day and evening wear, all lavished in rhinestones, brocades, velvets and chiffons. This is a very sophisticated collection epitomizing femininity and glamour.

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Thom Browne Spring 2016 Menswear

Thom Browne

Thom Browne reinvented the Geisha, so to speak, for his Spring 2016 menswear collection. Browne presented an impressive and visually stunning body of work. At first glance, the gray wool, sartorially perfect suits appear to be embroidered with traditional and iconic Japanese motifs, think again. No embroidery here. Instead, all motifs were created/constructed with individual pieces of fabric - a painstakingly precise process no doubt. The headgear, which were works of art themselves in their sculptural glory, were by milliner-extraordinaire Stephen Jones who has collaborated with Thom Browne in past collections.

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Inside the Life of a Fashion Illustrator

CNN reported on the life of British spy and artist Brian Stonehouse, who was trained as a secret clandestine radio operator. Living a double life, he posed as a French art student while carrying a paint box with a transmitter in it. He later survived multiple concentration camps. After the war, he became a fashion illustrator for the likes of Vogue and Harper's Bazaar. The path to fashion illustrator isn’t usually as daring and adrenaline-pumping as Stonehouse's story, but then again, no two careers are alike in the fashion world. If you're interested in pursuing a career as a fashion illustrator, here's a glimpse into a few aspects of life as a fashion illustrator. 

Promoting Yourself

Many renowned fashion illustrators like Stephen Stipelman graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology and went on to illustrate for Vogue and Women’s Wear Daily. However, a New York City education and credentials are not required to make it in this industry. Because fashion illustrators are generally freelancers, many spend a large majority of their time marketing their skills. This includes developing a following, creating promotional newsletters, working on social media campaigns, and uploading completed work to Shutterstock to gather exposure while earning some income on royalties.

Working illustrator Veronica Marche found commercial success with her "Fabulous Brown Girls" holiday card collection sold in Marshall's and T.J.Maxx department stores nationwide, which discovered her through her online presence and social media promotions. Meanwhile, Katie Rodgers promoted her site PaperFashion through Instagram and found a loyal following that lead to new commissions.

Attending Runway Shows

Whether you’re working on assignment or just trying to gain inspiration, it’s the norm to see fashion illustrators lining the rows of Fashion Week. Fashion sketches embody a certain fantasy and emotion of the event and can be done quickly by hand or on an iPad. Some illustrators also work on sketches of what's happening beyond the runway. They can simultaneously capture what’s happening at the event with photographers, designers, and makeup artists while making new connections. 

A Variety of Work

Most fashion illustrators will tell you their day-to-day varies drastically. Some illustrators may work on commission projects for corporate or publisher clients, while others illustrate to build up their own collection of work to sell directly to consumers. 

Fashion illustrator Katie Rodgers spends time gathering information through fashion shows and trend reports, and anything else she can find that relates to fashion. She maintains her blog Paper Fashion as a means to promote her work and keep up with the demand of commission work.

Finding a Niche

It takes more than just self-promotion, but also endurance to thrive as a fashion illustrator.

Danielle Meder works on sketches at runway shows, contemporary fashion paper dolls with a complete wardrobe, along with teaching and figure drawings. Because many fashion illustrators have an apparel or design background of some kind, it's natural to veer into areas where previous expertise may assist with instructional drawings and sewing patterns. As an illustrator's work and career progresses, it's natural to find a particular area of specialization. Once a niche has been established, an illustrator can then market that niche to the right target audience.

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DIOR HOMME Spring 2016

For all the dapper dudes out there who have a closet full of camouflage and have worried, like me, that the trend has seen its last season, I'm happy to announce: NOT! Well, at least according to Dior Homme who gave us a runway full of it. There were, of course, camo pants, but we also saw the pattern displayed proudly on shirts, vests, as the lining on coats, on back packs and even over classic argyle.

Dior Homme presented a collection that flirted with business attire and sportswear. Three-piece suits gave way to over-size (dressy) cargo pants that were paired with sandals. There were pops of color throughout, mainly with the outerwear. Yellow, red and my personal favorite color, orange.

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Planning a NYC Fashion Tour

New York's fashion industry is home to 13,800 fashion establishments with 900 fashion companies calling the city home, according to the New York City Economic Development Corporation. New York also hosts 75 major fashion trade shows and houses thousands of showrooms scattered throughout the boroughs. As a thriving fashion capital, the city is home to Fashion Week, couture museum exhibits and trend-setting boutiques.

New York City’s Fall Fashion Week kicks off September 10. Traditionally held at Bryant Park and Lincoln Center, Fashion Week moves to Soho and West Midtown in two locations called Skylight at Moynihan Station and Skylight Clarkson Square. While tickets to Fashion Week are difficult to score unless you’re an insider or a celebrity; there are other exhibitions, fashion landmarks and tours to enjoy. You can also check in with Time Out New York for updated lists of sample sales to score designer duds at a discount throughout the city.

FIT Museum

Stop by the famed Fashion Institute of Technology's museum for a look at fashion's long history and unique style icons. Upcoming exhibits starting in December 2015 include Denim: Fashion's Frontier. The exhibit Fashion Underground: The World of Susanne Bartsch directly follows Fashion Weekand opens September 18 through December 5. The exhibit looks at the socialite behind the extreme fashion and makeup who took New York City nightlife by storm in the 1980s and continues to do so in the present.

Free Garment District Tours

Mike's NYC Tours hosts Garment District Walking Tours with a look at the apparel industry and its winding history from the development of dress sizes to the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire. Mike offers free walking tours throughout the year and shares his insider knowledge about the industry, including the best places to shop. The tour stops at boutiques and fashion landmarks around the city such as the Fashion Walk of Fame.

City Opera Thrift Shop

Head to the City Opera Thrift Shop at 222 E. 23rd Street near Third Avenue to shop while helping support its namesake opera. Explore two floors of carefully curated clothing and furniture from major designers, such as Christian Dior. Proceeds help fund the costumes for the New York City Opera, making this a unique fashion stop for those looking to support a good cause while finding quality clothes at a discount.

Fashion Walk of Fame

A fashion walk through Manhattan isn't complete without a stop at the Fashion Walk of Fame on 7th Avenue. See nearly 30 plaques commemorating some of the industry's great designers including Oscar de la Renta and Ralph Rucci. The walk was established in 1999 and is currently the only monument in the world dedicated to American fashion.

Couture Fashion Week

You may not be able to score access to Fashion Week, but tickets to Couture Fashion Week are as low as $50. From September 11 to the 13th, designers from around the world show off their couture and luxury designs. Events take place in the heart of the city at the Crowne Plaza Times Square in Manhattan. Stop by the TKTS Booth for a discount on same-day Broadway show tickets, suggests The Dig, to see the costumes and set design of Tony award-winning shows.

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