LAURA JANE KENNY | staff writer

You will be sorry if you pass up this winter’s trends. Bringing back styles from the 50s and 60s, fashion is doing something it rarely does; being sensible and flattering.

Tights: Yes, women. They are back. Leggings kicked the door open for the very things the 50s would not be seen without. But do not start to moan and groan at the uncomfortable control top pantyhose we all wore in third grade. Great legs do not have to go hiding in the winter. Tights not only give the unspoken freedom to wear short skirts, but they can shape legs that are less than tight. Honoring the Austin Power 60s, tights have left the realm of neutrals, entering the field of color with bright reds, purples, blues and even yellows. If you want to stick with the classic colors, buy a pair with a sublet pattern inside the tights. A cable pattern, for instance, can elongate the leg, making them look longer, therefore, thinner.

Gloves: Hello, Audrey Hepburn. Sophisticated, classy and wonderfully warm, gloves are what many fashion accessories are not: sensible. You will find gloves with animal prints, buckles, and pockets. Don’t shy away from gloves that reach all the way to your elbow. This new twist on an old classic is not for women alone; men are included in this winter’s must have. Don’t let this sensibility pass you by. Grab a pair.

Scarves: Although the idea of scarves might seem ridiculous because of So Cal’s not so cold winter, scarves for warmth are so passé. Even if it is too warm to wear a coat, silk or cashmere scarves are all the rage. They can be found with colorful patterns and look extremely chic when worn around the neck, or as APU likes to do it, in the hair. Hell or high water, scarves are catching on to global warming and can be seen throughout all kinds of weather.

Belts: Don’t roll your eyes. Belts are breaking boundaries and are stepping into outerwear. This winter, be adventurous and where them on the outside of your coats. Sensible? Probably not. Flattering? Definitely. If worn correctly (at the actually waist and not the hips) belts grab women at the thinnest part of their body and draw attention to it. This is just one example of the 50s hourglass figure trend. And who does not want the va-va-voom of an hourglass shape?

Ankle Boots: All right, I’ll admit, not everyone’s favorite. Some ankle boots are hard to pull off without perfect legs. However, do not be afraid of the dreaded “kankle”. If you do not like how your legs look in a traditional ankle boot, invest in a pair that flares at the top. These are very “in” and create the visual trick of making your ankle look smaller. Ankle boots are this season’s must have shoe, especially in an oxford style. I encourage the fashion forward to grab a pair and throw on some tights and a sweater dress to create the look of the season.