One of the things that I want to do this year is be a little more realistic with my photo shoots. I mean, maybe not all the time - one of the things that I love about blogging is the chance to live out some of my fashion fantasies - but I think it's a good thing to actually photograph some of the outfits that I pull out of my closet on a day to day basis.

This outfit is a perfect example of that. It was really cold in Chicago for a while (the highs were in the teens for about 3 weeks, and it was often below zero when I'd leave for work in the morning), but this look kept me nice and toasty. A wool skirt, cashmere sweater, and a pair of tall boots manage to be both stylish and cozy.

It may seem silly to spend a lot of time worrying about looking good when it's that cold out, but I always think "what if I die in this outfit and ghost me has to walk around in it for eternity?" I mean, there are life goals, which are important, but you also have to think about your afterlife goals too.

I've been wearing this coat pretty much non-stop for the last month - it featured heavily in my last post, and while I don't usually like to repeat items so quickly, it looked too good with this outfit to edit it out.

I've picked up a couple of these short sleeved cashmere sweaters in recent months, and can I just talk about how wonderful they are? They look amazing with everything - a skirt, a pair of jeans, some high waist trousers - and they're insanely comfortable. On extra cold days I'll put a cardigan over it, and while I realize that's kind of an old lady move, most of my moves are anyway.

I know that other folks out there have done an amazing job talking about stylish winter dressing, so I don't want to devote a whole post to the subject. I thought I'd throw out a few of my best tips and tricks, though, in light of how comfortable and cute I've managed to feel during the recent cold snap.

1. It matters what you wear underneath! Lately I always wear a long line bra (I like Rago) and some kind of lower body shaper in addition to my tights. It's amazing how much warmth they add.
2. Don't just pile of clothes, layer smart. I love my cashmere sweaters and wool coats, but throwing on even a lightweight windbreaker underneath my coat makes a massive difference in how warm I feel. If you don't like how it looks, just hide it with a nice blanket scarf.
3. If you want to wear a skirt, a pair of tall boots does wonders for keeping your legs warm.
4. A scarf, tied turban style, is actually a really cute way to keep your head and ears from getting too cold.

Winter has only just begun, so I hope everyone is ready to settle in for the long haul!

Coat, Sweater, Skirt - Knee Deep Vintage
Boots: DSW
Scarf: Chronically Vintage