455: A winter (to spring) dressing matrix

Eight outfits for the seasonal change.

In partnership with Bloomingdales.

Photography Carolyne Loree Teston

There is no Weather Forecast by Magasin franchise currently in development, but if I had to give my best assurances, I’d say we’re closer to being out of this historic winter than we are deepening into it.

It perplexed me at first, not knowing how to actually dress to protect myself from the, at times, worrisome conditions outside—last time it was this cold and windy was the year I moved to New York, when I wore cowboy boots in double-digit snowfall days and a leather jacket through sub-zero (Fº) weather. I was a young fashionhead straight out of California and boy did I make myself suffer!

A solid three snowstorms in, and I’ve started to get the hang of it. Just as the season is beginning to change in our favor. In thinking about the quickly evolving dressing conditions in my near future, I wanted to map out a series of outfits that would address a variety of occasions ranging from freezing cold (North Face puffer days) to pleasantly mild (little more than a CO trench), from anonymously casual to dress-to-be-documented formal. And so, the Winter Dressing Matrix was born.

Thank you to Bloomingdales for sponsoring this exercise and for letting me pillage their (newly redesigned!) 59th Street flagship for all of the components of these looks. I spent all afternoon in those gorgeous dressing rooms, but I could have spent all day! My new favorite Midtown oasis for real.

Coordinates: Bone chilling, to the point of (almost) being past caring what you look like.

The North Face 1996 Retro Nuptse Jacket, $380 / Gerard Darel Clara Pants, $138 $345 / Burberry Women’s Leather Cavalier Boots, $1,895 / Toteme T-Lock Convertible Top Handle Bag, $1,390

What I’d wear it to: Emergency grocery run after realizing I’d forgotten one crucial supply in my pre-storm stockpile.

Coordinates: Hovering around freezing, but not your first squall.

AllSaints Lorel Shearling Jacket, $1,679 / CO Pleated Pants, $695 / Lafayette 148 New York Fitted Cinched Waist Shirt, $798 / Toteme Belted Croc Embossed Leather Crossbody, $698

What I’d wear it to: First in-person meeting after a week of bunkering down / being snowed in.

Coordinates: The beat-down breaks, suddenly a slight reprieve in the biting chill.

Toteme Slim Leather Coat, $4,000 / Burberry Bridle Clutch, $1,995

What I’d wear it to: The first evening social event I’m invited to (cabin fever is a great motivator).

Coordinates: Still feeling the cold, but nothing left to say about it.

Lafayette 148 New York Patch Pocket Leather Jacket, $1,698 / Acne Studios Layered Button Up Shirt, $700 / HommeGirls x Fruit of the Loom Vintage Fit Sweatpants, $150

What I’d wear it to: Running all the errands I’d been putting off; mailing packages, picking up dry cleaning, getting nails done.

Coordinates: That meme about micro-seasons where it says “False Spring — you are here.”

Róhe Paneled Textured-Leather Jacket (available at 59th Street location or contact your local store to request, similar from Sandro, $1,015) / Jil Sander Mid Length Skirt, $1,850 / Marni Wool Blend Short Sleeve Crewneck Sweater, $695 / Toteme Belted Croc Embossed Leather Crossbody, $698

What I’d wear it to: Fort Greene farmers market that turns into lunch with the girls that turns into running into everyone I’ve ever met at Rhodora.

Coordinates: Winter’s ending soon, so you’d better get your cold-weather fits off while you still can.

Nike Club Roscoe Zipper Jacket, $80 / Vince Fluid Satin Scarf Top, $328 / A.L.C. Marta Leather Midi Skirt, $895 / Burberry Bridle Clutch, $1,995

What I’d wear it to: A fashion week or art fair something or another.

Coordinates: Hope feels risky, but there’s a sweetness in the air that’s undeniable.

Wardrobe.NYC Oversize Trench Coat, $1,500 / Leset Pointelle Layered Top, $150 / Reiss Verona Slim Leather Pants, $655 / Toteme T-Lock Convertible Top Handle Bag, $1,390

What I’d wear it to: Shopping in the city…for spring clothes.

Coordinates: Dare I say…we made it?

Tove Perrine Dress, $1,320 / Liberowe Raja Jacket, $1,600 (available at 59th Street location or contact your local store to request)

What I’d wear it to: The first spring wedding of the season.

---

Magasin may earn some money if you make a purchase through one of the links above.

Follow us on Instagram at @magasin.ltd.