Getting toasty with hats, mitts, gloves, scarves, ear muffs, mini capes, stoles, shawls can really weigh down your style. Our solution to the overload is to keep your cold weather accessories lean and simple.

Winter gear may seem more functional than anything else, but this doesn't mean you can't be fashion forward when dressing for the weather.

Fake Fur or Genuine Fur Accessories

Fur Hats

Go faux fur or genuine fur on anything from hats to boots and say goodbye to the chills. If you dare to be bold, the look-at-me glam of a full fur Cossack fur hat or Russian hat is just right for you. These hats look best on a tall frame, and require a lot of personality.

Fur Capes, Stoles, Muffs & Shawls

Fur mini capes, shawls and stoles are the perfect way to bundle up indoors without wearing mitts around the office. Pair these fantastic fur pieces with simple, sleek lines. Tied with a fat, silk ribbon, mini capes and stoles look good over almost anything. Warm up a dainty cocktail dress with an oversized stole, or pair jeans and fitted top with a sassy mini cape. Whatever fur accessory you're wearing is going to be the focal point of your ensemble, so remember to keep whatever you have on underneath elegant and simple.

Fur Boots

To warm up your toes you've got oodles of options in the realm of fur. This fall's boot trend loves fur and so do we. The slouchy moccasin boot this season tops my list of favorite furry footwear, but these too need to be outfitted accordingly. Tone down the rest of your attire if you plan on sporting any fur. Keep your footwear fur exclusive to knee-high boots. This includes fur cuffs, lining, and creatively placed accents. Avoid ankle-high boots with fur, and especially steer clear of the all-over fuzzy yeti boots.

Winter Hats

When it comes to headwear, every face shape, hair length, and even head shape, looks different under a hat. The best way to determine which hat look is best for you: plant yourself next to the hat rack at your favorite shopping destination and just start trying them on. Hat trends for this coming season are anything but ordinary. Styles range from simple tweed fedoras, to an adorable bonnet-meets-poor-boy cap.

• For extremely cold weather, pick a warm, wool hat. Avoid pompoms but do pick something with a little bit of fun. Crocheted appliqués give a timeless elegance to an otherwise boring little toque.

• Berets are another cozy option. Be a little more creative than the wooly original, and grab yourself a beret in more luxurious textures such as tweed or herringbone.

• The ageless fedoras and poor boys are still topping hat racks everywhere so why not join in?

• If you're searching for a hat that looks good on almost everyone, look no further than the fedora. With its stiff shape and flattering brim, it's hard not to look good. You'll find fedoras in felt, short fur, tweed, herringbone and houndstooth.

• The poor boy cap is popping up this season in its most adorable form, if you ask me. This little cap, which has a shorter brim that frames your face like a bonnet, looks best in tweed with velvet accents.

Keep Your Fingers & Hands Warm

• To keep your digits warm, opt for either mittens or gloves in a sleek fit. Frumpy hand-wear takes away from the rest of your ensemble.
• The leather driving glove is a classic option that always looks elegant. To update this stylishhand-hugger, grab a pair in this season's favorite color - purple - or go for a cropped design that fastens with a snap at the back of the wrist.
• Gloves and mitts are allowed to have a little fun, so chose a funky pattern with a little bit of sass. Subtle animal prints, seasonal snow flakes, and the classic argyle will all spruce up your hands, but always keep moderation in mind.

If you're going to go funky with the hand-wear, avoid taking it over the top with too-matching mitt/glove and hat pairs. Those blue-striped, fuzzy gloves with a coordinating pom-pomed toque may look appealing, but no one's going to take you seriously if you look half your age. Keep your accessories in the same family (color, texture or style), but avoid cloning your gear from head to toe.

When getting yourself ready to step out into chilly weather, remember simplicity is your key to success. Think lean: your winter accessories are essentially there to provide you with a little added warmth, so there's no need to drown yourself in bulky layers.