Friendly Winter Fashion
How dressing for 4 pm sunsets becomes a canvas for self-expression and hopeful connection.
By Kate Lindello, Noihsaf Bazaar
Photo: Jayme Halbritter.
In the realm of fashion, the art of stylish dressing transcends the mere act of adorning oneself; it becomes a profound expression of identity and a conduit for forging connections. When we approach dressing with a theme of conviviality, we not only seek to look good but also aim to create an ambiance of warmth with a vibe that tells the people around you that you’re happy to be here.
Minnesota winters pull you into living rooms, cozy bars, and corner booths. Not only is each outing an opportunity to combat the 4 pm sunset, it’s a great excuse to get dressed up. What you put on may ignite a future conversation. A compliment may lead you to sharing your favorite place to shop or a covetable piece you inherited from your late grandmother. Other times, it can bring camaraderie and create a magnetic effect of pulling people into your orbit who share similar tastes. I remember bringing my daughter to her first day of kindergarten, both of us feeling anxious with the newness of it all. From the parking lot, I spotted another mom wearing a similar ALL KNITWEAR hat that I also had on. It immediately sparked a conversation and eased the tension of the unknown. It’s amazing to me that such a simple thing—a knit hat—can be the catalyst for a future friendship.
Fashion threads itself into intricate narratives where styles weave a story of identity. Each outing becomes a canvas for self-expression and hopeful connection with others. As someone whose career is rooted in both fashion and sustainability, it brings me great joy to share with others what small designers I am digging and what new shops I am eager to support. As you navigate all the amazing events for this year's Great Northern Festival, I hope you spark meaningful conversations with old and new friends and explore the potential for fashion to be not just a personal statement but a shared language that binds us together. In the vibrant tapestry of this year’s event, let your wardrobe be a reflection of your individuality, a catalyst for conversations that transcend the superficial, and a testament to the beauty of sustainable choices.
Images from past Chill Out and Ice Bar events at The Great Northern, photographed by Jayme Halbritter.
Related events at The Great Northern:
Learn about sustainable fashion at “Trend Alert: How the Fashion Act Could Change the Fashion Industry,” a talk as part of the Climate Solutions Series at the American Swedish Institute on Saturday, January 27.
Chill Out: The Great Northern Launch Party features stylish winter dress and a collaboration with Fashion Week Minnesota on Thursday, January 25 at Surly Brewing and O’Shaughnessy Distillery.
More information and tickets at thegreatnorthernfestival.com.
Photo courtesy of the author.
Kate Lindello is the founder of Noihsaf Bazaar, an online resale marketplace focused on Independent Designers. Noihsaf (fashion backwards) Bazaar has been featured in Vogue, The New York Times, and Business of Fashion. Kate lives and plays in Duluth, Minnesota.
