Fashion Boston - October 2008

BY LISA PIERPONT

I want to buy only one new winter coat this year, so I’m looking for something very stylish but very versatile. Any suggestions? — T. W. IN BOSTON

ILLUSTRATION BY NATHALIE DION/ AGOODSON.COM

I tried that once, and I have a closet full of winter coats to prove it. As artist Salvador Dali once said, “Have no fear of perfection, you’ll never reach it.” Clearly, he was referring to the nonexistence of the perfect winter coat. In New England, the objective is to balance fashion with function — cool with warmth. Personally, I think you’ll get the biggest bang for the buck with a shearling, real or faux. Searle New York always carries a variety of chic, well-fitted shearlings that are both sexy and snuggly — the black dis-tressed-leather belted knee-length coat is especially slick. Moncler is also legendary for producing winter winners: try this season’s raccoon-collared shiny brown down three-quarter-length number… shapely and puffy. Riccardi on Newbury Street gears up for the snow with a crazy asymmetrical gold-buttoned floor-length mohair and wool coat by Vivienne Westwood. You’ll cut cold winds as well as an ice queen image, bringing snowplows to a grinding halt. Talk about perfect.

What’s your take on all the superhero worship in fashion right now? Am I really supposed to want to dress like Wonder Woman? Can any of this stuff actually be worn without looking foolish? — J.L. IN BROOKLINE

Holy bean stalk, you fell for that? I hope you haven’t spent your paycheck on a red cape yet, because I guarantee you that sucker will not see the light of day, even if you can fly. Remember: Wonder Woman pulled out her crown and gold-coned bodysuit only for menacing threats of world destruction. (Her gold cuffs and red boots could have rocked as nifty daytime accessories though.) The superhero theme in fashion this year revolves around extracting specific details from classic comic book attire and folding them into mainstream clothing. The hype arose out of a costume and fashion exhibit held at the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York last spring. Designers like Nicolas Ghesquière of Balenciaga created metallic leggings resembling Iron Man’s armor and Jean-Paul Gaultier created a web-embellished gown celebrating Spider-Man. For the average civilian (with a superhero budget), Alexander McQueen designed a gold-winged dress, remarkably unfreakish, and Miu Miu created, yes, a ruby red cape. Which, come to think of it, would look smart with stovepipe jeans and motorcycle boots. Now go and fight some evil, will ya?

I love all the fall tights out there right now, but am wary of wearing some of the more sexy versions for day. Is it too much? — S.D. IN BRIGHTON

Sexy tights during the day totally depend on how you spend your time. Simple as that. I don’t mean to sound so black and white, but if you work in a traditional corporate environment, only proper sheer or opaque hose in neutral tones will do. If a creative vibe is more your scene, you can play more: stirrup tights are back, slimmer and sexier than their 1980s forebears. A safe way to strut these is with flats, but they smoke the house with a pair of heels. Wolford, Fogal, and Hue this season unveil a dizzying array of patterned tights — herringbone, crochet, striped, and lace versions act as showstoppers, especially if you keep the rest of the look simple. Try a fitted black shift with Wolford’s Geo or Zig Zag stockings with Christian Louboutin’s Insectika, a tapered jet stiletto. You won’t need a stitch of jewelry — your legs might as well be the Hope diamond, dazzling and priceless.

I LISA PIERPONT IS THE FOUNDER OF BOLDFACERS.COM, A WEB PUBLICATION SPOTLIGHTING BOSTON’S UP-AND-COMING TALENT AND STYLEMAKERS. MOREOVER, SHE IS ALSO AN UNQUESTIONABLY SNAPPY DRESSER. IN A FASHION BIND? SEND YOUR QUESTIONS TO FB@GLOBE.COM.