By Maeve Walsh
Columnist

The Ticker has once again opened its doors; while some SLU students look forward to celebrating on the infamous checkered dance floor, others have begun to dread the long, freezing cold walk to and from the tick tock to campus. Never fear party people, here are this season’s winter It-Jackets to the rescue. With the help of an easy fall fashion dictionary, it is entirely possible to stay warm, look amazing and dance the night away.

C is for Color: As winter swiftly approaches Canton, avoid blending in with the snow and ice. Crimson, deep navy, and even blush rank top this winters’ must-have outwear colors. Stand out in a sea of black parkas by wearing a red wool button down, a navy bomber or a hunter green military parka with a pop of fur on the collar. An added bonus; it is much harder to get your coat stolen when you are wearing something unique.

F is for Faux Fur: Animal friendly and a major statement piece, the fur jacket is once again a winter staple. The best part about fur? It always makes an impression, regardless if it is just a fur collar on a parka or a full-out faux fur parka. Keep it simple in a fur vest, or a shearling collar on a suede aviator jacket. For the bold and prone to the cold, go with a full out fur moto version: the cropped frame will make it casual, while the fuzzy faux-fur keeps you warm just like your favorite blanket.

M is for Moto: Whether it is like Vince’s gray tweed version or French Connection’s cream faux-fur take, the moto jacket is majorly shifting opinions (and hemlines). The shorter length of the moto makes it warm, yet flattering for all shapes and sizes, and this winter it is available in every pattern and color you could ever want and more. Instead of the typical investment piece that outwear tends to become, the moto’s small size is the perfect canvas to be bold.

P is for Patterns: While this season’s patterns range from grid prints to herringbone, they do have one thing in common—they are not for the faint of heart.  Bold black and blue grids prints, grey plaids, even Aztec prints are making waves as they take over trench coats and blazers alike. While this may seem like enough to make your head spin, take a breath and consider the playfulness these coats offer. Patterns take winter’s typical palate of reds, blacks, blues and greys, and give them the freshness of summer instead of mimicking the bleakness of cold weather. Consider a micro-check grey pattern from Pam & Gela or color-blocked tweed from Milly.

While many consider outerwear to be an investment piece, this seasons jacket picks are for adapting a personality, not a permanent identity. Fashion is meant for amusement and self-expression, so be daring—audacious even. Style is not a tattoo, so remember to dress for how you are today and not how you will be 20 years from now. Hopefully by then you will have stopped going to the Ticker altogether anyway.