How to dress from head to toe… in case of snow!

Brrr! Can you feel that cold snap clicking its chilly fingers out there on the horizon? Yes, winter is coming, and bundled up alongside it are all the warm and wonderful winter accessories to make you as snug as a shrug or a rug or a hug or a mug of hot cocoa can. Here’s a round-up of the hottest winter accessories available from surf and skate brands to alternative labels to the fashionista-friendly high-end. So, pop on the kettle, stoke up the fire and get ready to get hot with what’s what coming this winter.

- Advertisement -

Surf & Skate

The hottest brand burning up the winter range this season is Billabong (www.billabong.com.au), which is available from all good surf stores throughout Perth. With an abundance of wardrobe staples and a mix of quirky new items, the wanton winter items from Billabong are just brrr-illiant!

The heavy duty headwarmer – and must have of the season for all the boys who like being a macho, macho man – is the Alaska Beanie ($39.95). A wool knit on the outside which moves from dark ochre to burnt orange, this wicked piece has imitation fur lining, ear flaps and cute little tassels. Second place for the blokes is the super cool Anarchy Beanie ($29.95) which has polo fleece lining, plaited tassels on the ear flaps and a detachable pom pom, just in case you want to girl/guy it up accordingly.

For the girls the Chill Cap ($29.95) is g-g-gorgeous. Done in Houndstooth, this wicked cap has fur lining, plus press studded ear flaps, which means you can wear them up for a super sporty look or fold them down to keep the cold at bay. There are also the Straight Up Leg Warmers ($29.95) in pink and black stripes and complete with foot stirrups; the Cartwheel Scarf ($29.95), an interesting little number; and the Plait Mitts ($29.95) with the cutest little pom-pom tassels at the wrists.

Elsewhere, other brands are also getting in on the winter chill. The Quiksilver Stinger Beanie ($25.95) from Quiksilver (ph. 9485 0936) is a classic cute Alpaca cut, while the Zoo York Lumberjack Gloves ($39.95) from Cite (ph. 9402 1915) are heavy duty winter wear. In the realm of gloves, Roger David (ph. 9481 8455) weighs in on the winter warm up with their RDX Explorer Gloves ($29.95) and Stray Fingerless Leather Gloves ($34.99). And for the head, Roger David’s Stray Clover Sherpa Trapper ($39.99) looks super duper warm.

Alternative

For the kids who like it cool and quirky, Perth has an array of boutiques that provide products from the slightly left of centre. At Pigeonhole (ph. 9221 9837), amid the array of stylish beanies ($55) on offer are some nice little products, such as the Working Class Heroes Mac Laptop Covers ($200) which are handmade from felt and leather and come direct from Austria. Still thinking outside the box is the Superheadz Camera ($145) with a Waterproof Camera Case ($80) – perfect for those torrential downpours.

On the other side of town, Mt Lawley’s Libertine (ph. 9328 1717) has an array of wonderful products, in particular the handmade, heavenly unisex Rivet Leggings ($231) from local award winning label She Said Yoo Hoo. Also of note are the marvellous Reworked Neckties ($60-$98) by inhouse label Mandi Mac – these accessories smack of Old World sophistication remixed with postmodern charm, making them perfect statement pieces for both guys and gals. Also instore are such pieces as the Mandi Mac Tangerine Crush Scarf ($90), the Cyberoptix Tie-Lab Scarves ($69) made from fair-trade 100% silk, plus the extravagantly playful Pom Pom Hooded Scarves ($132) from Fremantle label Lin Pin.

And finally, for those who like to glam it up, Burlesque Baby (ph. 0423 140 374) is your one stop pin-up destination. They have an assortment of winter warmers, in particular fake fur stoles – Red Berry’s Light Blue and Black Fur Stole ($55) and Lucky 13’s Black Fur Stole ($175) are both on offer.

High End

Down at Zekka (ph. 9481 1772), the high end shopping experience kicks off with some delightful bags from Y-3. This ensemble of wonderfully crafted pieces includes the overnight Knitted Duffle Bag ($675), the Knitted Messenger ($525) and the Mobility Shopper ($395). To ‘cap’ off the Y-3 Red Knitted Baseball Cap ($120) will certainly insure you standout from the crowd.

Over at Dilettante pour Homme et Femme (ph. 9322 2717), Perth’s latest beacon of style and glamour, the couture is spilling out the door. There are Vivienne Westwood Leather Gloves ($415) adorned with the trademark Viv’ skull and crossbones. The assortment of Undercover pieces is well worth checking out and includes Leather & Wool Gloves ($480), Cashmere & Silk Scarves ($695) and personal fave, the Undercover Alpaca Beanie ($295).

Still at Dilettante, local designer Yang Li’s label Cloth is simply amazing in its engineered simplicity and handmade uniqueness. Li offers an array of scarves and neckpieces that are stunning and sophisticated, ranging from the oversized to the fantastically feminine. View Cloth online at www.clothlabel.com.au or in store now at Dilettante.

So there you have it – the delightful winter must haves that, well, one simply must have. Keep the cold at bay and wish the rain away as you rug up with the gorgeous and glamorous array of pr-ice-less winter accessories.