Lugged out after a summer’s hibernation amid bottles of wine and dusty furniture, cartons of heavy winter garments are aired of their mustiness before joining cramped closet quarters. As winter winds frost windowpanes and tree canopies become sparse of leaves, the sidewalk is littered in orange, yellow and brown. Overhead hangs a mere garland of foliage that will soon join the autumn tapestry of fallen leaves. Darkness arrives early to greet the afternoon in the onset of another encumbering winter. To curb the chill as temperatures dip into single digits, enlist in the comforts of red wine, firelight and a chick winter wardrobe.

The past winter’s silhouette is revisited with new proportions. Looks I shied away from last year I now feel better suited for. Not one to fall victim to fashion, if a trend survives a full calendar year I’m more likely to embrace it on the second coming. Classic is always elegant while passing fashion can verge on ridiculous.

In the realm of fabrics and colors, brown, black, and red are dominant in cottons and wools. Purple was prominent as fall arrived but since has waned to make room for darker shades of winter. Stripes in black and grey are a popular choice for t-shirts and thin sweaters, geometric-print dresses in silks and synthetics add movement to otherwise sober looks, and hound’s tooth weaves are everywhere. I’ve begun to combine in the same outfit colors I once considered sacrilegious together. In France black and brown are thrown together with reckless abandonment. I can’t say I appreciate their haphazard usage, say a brown bag, black boots and a red sweater. No, I don’t mix and match, but I have begun to purposefully porte them together. I said to my best friend while lunching on moules, “I know I’m becoming French when brown and black share an outfit.” A brown blouse worn under a black sweater dress, cinched by a brown belt and finished with the café-colored boots to match is my rendition.

With low waistlines remaining à la mode, the problem of exposed of midriff handles has been remedied with elongated tops. Approaching mid thigh, long sweaters in solids or stripes are my favourite piece of the season. Worn tout seul, they have an air of the 60’s twiggy sheath gone arctic. Beneath last year’s more cropped knits an elongated tank or tunic adds a belt of fabric to ensure core coverage. The adventurous may opt out of wearing pants, choosing to wear a thick pair of leggings beneath their shift. While not my pleasure, I recommend taking a good look in the mirror from behind, not falling victim to an inflated confidence that invites you to go out in an unflattering state. Strolling in the Marais quartier, a middle-aged woman was oblivious to the fact that her panties were on display through the sheerness of overly taught leggings. Burk!

Instead, I recommend slipping into your slimmest blue jeans. Washed in indigo, grey or black, tapered-legged jeans are again en vogue. They are the casual uniform of the masses when paired with ballerina flats, knee boots, or this season’s 80’s inspired ankle boots. To achieve this look with more universally flattering straight-cut jeans, reintroduce the tight roll. Snug inside socks wider-legged pants are able to shimmy into boots. I found this smart equestrian look intimidating last year, but it is polished with longer layers on top.

Winter coats are preferably A-line, knee length numbers often belted. A favourite style a heavy trench constructed in charcoal wool. With a wide patent leather belt cinched around the waist last year’s car coat gets an updated look.

Trends for this season have a universal appeal incorporating pieces from the 60’s and 80’s into a modern, wearable silhouette. More than the fashions that compose window displays and translate to the streets, Paris chick is found underneath the clothes in the attitude of the women. Pairing confidence with individual taste, incorporate complimentary looks and avoid falling victim to fashion.