Helmut Lang Fall 2012 New York Fashion Week.
Photo: Getty Images

As much as I adore gawping at genetic anomalies swan down slick runways in precipitously tall heels wearing tens of thousands of clothes, sometimes it's like spending too long at the perfume counter--after the umpteenth ensemble, your senses SHUT DOWN. Which is why I get excited when someone flips the script on a silhouette and makes me snap to attention. Especially when the designer has deigned to showcase a look that any ol' mortal regular person can mimic without THE very specific coat or THE very specific dress. This snood situation courtesy of the co-creative directors behind Helmut Lang--Michael and Nicole Colovos (formerly of Habitual)--is exactly that.

Though some of the monstrous funnel necks were attached to the wrap coats, this is just a keen study into piling on some wide felted wool strips in various colors, interwoven with thinthinthin printed organdy scarves with complementary outerwear that instantly gets a face-lift (or maybe a high-quality collagen peel and 10 hours of sleep). Plus, I also adore the contrast of wearing cobwebby knits with leather pants that are anchored with a pitch black snood. With all the silhouettes elongating for Fall 2012 with monochrome, basque bodices, long swishy skirts and tall collars, a quick way add even more height is one of these mufflers. It's sorta like that Portlandia skit with birds--put a snood on it! Unless you're a dude, 'cause then it's on a case by case basis and most of the time very bad news.

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