Winter fashion hats and scarves keep the look cool

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October 25th, 2011 illuminations Leave a comment Go to comments

La’Shaia Arrington said it is a waste of hat if you take it off when you come in out of the cold. “It’s an accessory; it doesn’t always have to be functional,” the 20-year-old owner of L.A. Catwalk said. Women young and old are integrating this season’s outdoor accessories usually reserved for wool peacoats into business, pleasure and night-life outfits.

Polly Rost, a middle-aged professional and fashion diva, said she can’t count how many scarves or hats she owns. “My immediate response is countless,” she said.

“I wear scarves in all different ways,” Rost said. “Usually to soften a crisp suit and to add color and personality.”

She said she has her scarves draped over racks so she can see the beautiful colors. Sometimes, Rost chooses the color or style by the mood she is in. Turquoise, corals, yellows and other bright colors are her favorite even in the winter.

“Those colors jump in the winter,” she said.

Rost shops on vacations and has accessories from Soho, Quebec, and England. But she especially appreciates the rich collection of artisans in the area. She owns three handmade, beaded scarf belts from Collage Specialty Shop Inc., a boutique at 932 S. George St. in York.

Rost said her love for accessories came from her grandmother. “She would always wear a hat, gloves and a scarf,” she said. “That was really imprinted in my mind.”

Rost sees wearing scarves in all situations as a sign of sophisticated style. She started doing it as an undergraduate. Now a clinical psychologist, she works with many college-age students. Recently, she noticed young people picking up on the scarf trend more so than in years past.

“They are more aware of how they present themselves,” Rost said. “Young people are pretty sophisticated.”

And it isn’t only women, Rost said a lot of men are becoming more and more conscious of their appearance and adding accessories such as scarves to their wardrobes.

Arrington’s West King Street store displays models wearing multicolored sweater hats, tweed berets and knitted beanies. Silk and knitted scarves drape the shelves and displays. She said people are wearing these products throughout the day.

Arrington said accessories add pop to any outfit, but you don’t have to stop at jewelry and purses.

If you have ever woken up in the morning and didn’t have time to do your hair, Arrington said a hat would have solved your embarrassing trek to the office.

“Put on a hat,” she said. “You will look good and fashionable at the same time.”

If you can’t buy a hat for every outfit, Arrington said a pin-striped

beret is a versatile piece to add to your wardrobe.

“Say you go to work wearing a skirt, blazer, blouse and matching beret. You get off work and all you have to do is replace the skirt with jeans and you have a fabulous outfit. Blazers are really in right now,” she said.

And if you think you aren’t a hat person, Arrington will prove you otherwise.

“Everyone can wear a hat,” she said. “They are really popular. It is extra spice to your outfit, like that cooking guy on TV; it’s the kick and BAM.”

And if you are out and about, people are going to notice you.

“Someone is going to say did you see that girl in the hat?’ not did you see that girl in the sweater?” she said.

A scarf can also add pizzazz to an otherwise plain outfit.

Arrington said you can wrap it around your waist, wrap it into your hair, tie it around your neck or drape in around your shoulders. And if you think you have to tuck it away after the snow has stopped falling, Arrington said you can wear it over a tank top for a shirt in the summer.

“If you put on a tank top, you can wrap the scarf around the front and tie it in the back,” she said.

Arrington’s shop serves a younger crowd, but offers sweaters, purses and scarves for all ages.

Many department stores are selling chunky knitted scarves with a sweater as a two-piece outfit. Arrington said she has seen it done, but she isn’t sure why.

“You don’t want a real thick one,” she said.

Collage has a winter-wear section stacked high with cashmere, fur, cotton, suede, knit and crocheted accessories. The scarf shelf combines pretty pastels with bright bolds and everyday neutrals. Owner Janice Bortner said a brown and blue combination is popular with her customers, as well as pink.

A lot of the lighter scarves, such as the jacquard from France, would make a nice addition to a plain outfit and wouldn’t be too hot to wear indoors. “The idea of accessories is to take a plain outfit and add a pop of color,” she said. “The right accessory can make the outfit.”