The temps may be getting balmier, but the frigid weather in New York over the past month remains a traumatizing memory. Recall the Sunday evening of New York fashion week—the coldest night in the city in many, many years—and the spectacle of under-clad fashionistas shivering outside of shows. If these are the kind of winters we should expect from now on, then designers ought to be giving close study to the latest Adidas by Stella McCartney collection. The emphasis here was on apparel made to stand up to the elements, with running tights lined in ultra-fine fleece, insulating base layers, and short puffer jackets lightweight and breathable enough to be worn while on a jog. On the other hand, you could also wear them out for a stroll; McCartney gave those items a fashion-y slant by outfitting them with muscular sleeves and doing them in tonal floral prints that were, in turned out, reflective. People will see you coming at night, and they'll like what they see. Elsewhere, the designer's seamless yoga gear merged fashion and function just as nicely, with the season's muted palette arrayed in graphic color blocks. That said, it was the warm-making pieces that stood out, if only for the sleekness of their execution. It was nice to imagine a world wherein Arctic temperatures didn't necessitate bulk. Come next February, you may see some of McCartney's layers peeking out from under runway looks.
