As a California native, the transition from the warm and sunny West Coast to cold and icy Syracuse was not an easy one for Leo Wong, a senior advertising major. But he believes that just because he had to sacrifice warm weather, he doesn’t have to give up wearing warm colors during the winter months.

“I like wearing color, and [I] always think that just because it’s winter, doesn’t mean I have to wear black every day,” he said.

Because his mom is a fashion designer, Wong said dressing well has always been a part of being in his family. That’s how he began to develop a style that has continued to mature.

“I have a preppy-professional look and I try putting effort into my outfits on a daily basis. I used to wear a lot of t-shirts but now I’ve actually started to prefer wearing button downs. I even taught myself how to iron,” he said.

Wong, wearing maroon pants and a turquoise button down, uses his wardrobe to brighten up grey days around campus.

He manages to pull off a casual and preppy look by using color blocking with warm and cool colors. Along with his outfit, he pulls together his ensemble by wearing a silver Akribos XXIV watch and polka dot J.Crew socks.

“I like to wear lots of different colors and to experiment with what looks best on me,” he said.  “Even though my mom is a fashion designer, I don’t like following fashion trends. I just choose my outfits to reflect who I am.”

Wong manages to stay warm in the bitter cold, yet maintain a sleek and stylish look, by layering his outfit with a fleece-lined H&M gray coat matched with a rarely seen laced-up pair of gray Timberland boots. On colder days, Wong said he bundles up with colorful and comfortable scarves to add another pop of color to his neutral winter coat.

Sometimes, the best way to brave the cold weather is to simply abandon gloomy winter colors for bright and warm ones.

Published on January 15, 2014 at 12:45 am

Contact Charlotte: cmstockd@syr.edu