Stay stylish and warm this winter season

“Winter has officially begun, and baby, it's cold outside! While you may be tempted to wrap yourself in a blanket before stepping outside, remember you can look chic while staying warm. And before you start slipping into large, heavy layers, consider creating the right proportions with your winter gear.” Bobbie Thomas, TODAY Style editor and author of the Buzz column for “In Touch Weekly,” shows you how to bundle up without bulking up this season.

Pass it forward
Outerwear is an essential, but it can also be expensive. Consider donating your gently worn coat this winter to provide a precious piece of warmth to someone in need. A few noteworthy companies, including United Colors of Benetton and Burlington Coat Factory, are offering discounts on new outerwear in appreciation of your donation. Furthermore, why not seek out a gently worn jacket of your own? Many designers are bringing back retro styles, and a thrift store is a great place to shop for authentic inspiration!

Wear winter white
Achieve an ethereal glow with a rich white coat. A style secret of red carpet regulars, there's something regal and fresh about wearing this luminous shade during the dark and dreary days of winter. And as an added bonus, this polished and pretty piece of outerwear will help you stand out in a sea of black.

As seen on TODAY:
Ugg cable-knit earmuff: $75; Lordandtaylor.com
Free People fringe sweater: $128; Urbanoutfitters.com
Double-cloth boulevard coat: $298; Jcrew.com
Polar tights: $68; Wolford.com

Learn to layer
Don't dismiss your dresses or short sleeves as unwearable this winter. Instead, get creative, and experiment with various layers. Try your favorite wrap dress with a thin sweater underneath, or take a flowy frock and add a belt, cardigan, tights and a scarf. Even consider a cropped coat with longer sleeves peeking out or a pair of elbow-length gloves to keep you warm. You'll find that many items in your closet can actually work year-round.

As seen on TODAY:
Black motif scarf: $28; Urbanoutfitters.com
Gray dress: $34.50; Hm.com
Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent charcoal turtleneck: $165, Lordandtaylor.com
Sisley wool coat: $149; Benetton.com
Opaque tights in port: $11: Hue.com
Aventura wine suede sandals: $49.99; Ninewest.com

Show off your shape
The key to balancing out your bundled-up attire lies in not bulking up from head-to-toe. If you have great legs, indulge in cashmere or polar fleece stockings or the still-going-strong legging trend, and keep the major warmth up top with a heavy jacket or sweater. On the flip side, if you're wearing something wide on bottom, consider a cropped jacket, or make sure to find a coat that will cinch you in at the waist. Even the fluffiest puffers often come with a belt!

As seen on TODAY:
Leather gloves: $79; Zara.com
Vince short-sleeve sophie cardigan: $162.50; Shopbop.com
Annabell turtleneck: $99; Clubmonaco.com
Jessie patent belt: $79; Clubmonaco.com
D Aida: $209.30; Geox.com

Pop in bold colors
We're experiencing a colorful phase of fashion right now, so jump on the availability of vibrant options, and select winter accessories that are bright and fun. Scarves, gloves and stockings are obvious items of adornment when everything else is hidden under your jacket, so consider these accents carefully. Or, try adding your own belt into the loops of a trench for a totally new look! Whatever you choose, the key is to find your most flattering color and create stylish combinations that are unique to your point of view.

As seen on TODAY:
Free People cobalt sweater: $118; Lordandtaylor.com
Bumble tartan miniskirt: $98; Jcrew.com
Gray wool felt cloche: $149; Claudiaschulz.com

Flaunt faux fur
While fur was flying off the runways to the disappointment of PETA supporters, the faux version is chicer than ever. We're seeing a surge of rich textures, from velvet to feathers, making faux fur an obvious choice for evening. But surprisingly, this style can also work well for day. While fur (and faux versions of it) used to be reserved for more formal posh occasions, playful styling and innovative colors are adding a youthful and versatile vibe to this luxe look.

As seen on TODAY:
Jones New York hooded faux fur coat: $199.99; Macys.com
Michael by Michael Kors cream cowl neck: $179; Macys.com
Mock croc belt: $58; Bananarepublic.com
Tavernini boot-cut jean: $193; Shopmoodyblues.com
Long patent stripe gloves: $98; Kennethcole.com
Techno boots: $150; Aldoshoes.com

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