5 Trends To Get You Through Winter

By Bee-Shyuan Chang
January 12, 2012

Whether you region is beset with snow flurries, drowned in rain or the subject of bitter breezes, the winter season is all about staying warm and keeping spirits up. In the spirit of the latter, we're highlighting five trends we're most fond of. They might just transform a dreary day, or at the least, keep you occupied until spring peeks its first flowery blooms.

1. Feathered Friends

Save the feather boa for striptease exercise class. Feathers are back but singing a soigné 1920s tune. On the runway, Prabal Gurung layered feathers over sheer gowns, while Beyonce recently wore a feathered white Lanvin dress from the Resort 2012 collection. If you're not quite ready for full feather accents, make like J.Lo. The singer-actress-mother-judge wore a Pucci mini at the American Music Awards that had a few flighty strands of ostrich plumage as trimming. And while you're at it, might as well go pedal to the metal. Pair feather jackets with sequined dresses and other types of reflective decoration such as encrusted crystals.

Beyonce (photo by Paul Zimmerman/Contributor), Prabal Gurung Fall 2011 (photo by Thomas Concordia/WireImage), Jennifer Lopez (photo by Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic)

Roll over items for details

Sue Wong Feathered Gown

(buy it now price, $379.99)

Ostrich Feather Jacket

(buy it now price, $390)

Lanvin Cocktail Dress with Feather Trim

(buy it now price, $979)

2. Colorful Pants

Cheer up in bad weather with a bright spot of color. But while a vibrant cashmere sweater or wool coat will do a freezing day justice, try jeans, corduroys or slim trousers in an unexpected hue. Primary colors such as red and royal blue are classics, but also give mustard yellows, mauves and moss greens a chance. Do like Rachel Bilson and pair colored pants with a neutral. Winter whites are hot and dove grays are the season's new black.

Yigal Azrouel Fall 2011 (photo by Stefan Gosatti/Getty Images For IMG), Rachel Bilson (photo by JB Lacroix/WireImage), Derek Lam Fall 2011 (Photo by Karl Prouse/Catwalking/Getty Images)

Gap Mustard Corduroys

(buy it now price, $24.99)

J Brand Coated Red Jeans

(buy it now price, $119)

Pendleton Virgin Wool Trousers

(buy it now price, $34.99)

3. Pep Up With Peplums

As a bevy of Hollywood's hottest, young actresses have proven, a sweet peplum does wonders to the waist. Emma Stone wowed in a Giambattista Valli fall 2011 red cashmere sweater and pink skirt with peplum combo. Ashley Green wore an edgier black suited Givenchy version during the "Breaking Dawn: Part 1" promo tour. And Marc Jacobs, every bit of the vanguard of making retro fits new again, showed printed peplums on the runway. To translate the look off the red carpet, keep the rest of the outfit fitted and sleek.

Emma Stone in Giambattista Valli Fall 2011 (photo by Gilbert Carrasquillo/FilmMagic), Marc Jacobs Fall 2011 (photo by Randy Brooke/Contributor), Ashley Greene in Givenchy Resort 2012 (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

Alice + Olivia Peplum Sequined Peplum Dress

(buy it now price, $100)

Betsey Johnson Knit Peplum Dress

(buy it now price, $159.99)

Vintage Pierre Cardin Peplum Dress

(buy it now price, $189)

4. Casual Lace

Cut into classic, daytime shapes such as t-shirts, blouses and shift dresses, lace is getting a modern update. In past collections, designers tended towards the ruffled Victorian blouses or the costume-y lace maxi coats or dresses. This season it's all about the clean cut line that lets the age-old fabric do the talking. Carven's long-sleeved lace frocks are covered up enough even for the office. Valentino and Jason Wu added lace accents to swingy day dresses and winter coats, respectively. The fabric is a natural contrast to winter's wooly stockings and velvet blazers. So when it comes to buying, pay attention to the texture and pattern. Vintage styles are often better made than modern day productions.

Kate Middleton (photo by Samir Hussein/Contributor), Valentino Fall 2011 (Photo by Karl Prouse/Catwalking/Getty Images), Jason Wu Fall 2011 Runway (Photo by Thomas Concordia/Contributor)

Carven Long-Sleeve Lace Dress

(buy it now price, $825.99)

Valentino Lace Overlay Tee

(buy it now price, $225)

Vintage 60s Lace Tunic Dress

(buy it now price, $55)

5. Day to Night Glitter

Light up the night in all-out glitter. In strategic doses, nothing quite says you're up for some fun like a shiny embellishment. On the runway, Miu Miu led the charge for covetable heels and booties bedecked with rose, silver and gold glitter. And celebrities like Taylor Swift and Zooey Deschanel have jumped on the trend. For an approachable take, think smaller objects such as a foldover clutch or belt (both spotted at the J. Crew Fall-Winter 2011 presentation). Or to jazz up a plain daytime ensemble, try a pair of fun loafers or flats. In this case, best to avoid red, lest you end up channeling Dorothy.

Taylor Swift (photo by John Sciulli/WireImage), Miu Miu Fall 2011 (Photo by Chris Moore/Catwalking/Getty Images), Zooey Deschanel (Photo by Angela Weiss/AFP/Getty Images)