By Derri Crenshaw | Staff Writer

In these trying times I have recruited Roosevelt University alum Jack Ellis to enlighten us with some winter style tips and ways to keep your confidence up. Ellis shares outfit ideas on their Instagram, scan the QR code to see more inspiration! 

Jack Ellis wears: 50s Harris tweed chapeau, wool sweater, thermal, 90s vintage Levi’s, & a patterned scarf.

Q: What makes you feel most confident during this season? I know it’s not the same for everyone but I was born in the summer & love showing a little skin so sometimes it’s hard to keep my confidence when I just want to bundle up!

A: Winter for me is a harder season to feel confident as sometimes layering and certain fabrics alters how the silhouette and drape of an outfit looks more so than other seasons. But, winter is also a time to experiment with cool knitwear and it is very easy to layer with sweaters and you can find very high quality made sweaters in good materials for very cheap if you thrift it right. 

Q: This is not completely related to just Winter fashion but I always say that you don’t need an event to wear a unique outfit. Today is the day always! But sometimes I get self conscious and have to push through it. Do you ever feel like that? If not, tell us your secrets! If so, how do you deal with it?

A: Wearing a unique outfit is always an everyday occasion, but it’s also ok to just stick to favorite wardrobe staples. There’s no wrong way to dress for any season and everyone’s got their own style. When I get nervous about wearing a new piece, I always remember that even if it’s not someone else’s style, it’s my style and how I like to dress.

Q : And my last question is this: Where do you find such cool pieces? I’m totally jealous!! (But definitely be mysterious if you don’t want us running up your spots)

A:  I don’t gatekeep where I find clothing. Most of my wardrobe is thrifted, (upscale rummage in Libertyville as well as the village discounts in Roscoe, on Clark street and on Elston are my usual go to stores), but I also buy a lot at vintage boutiques. Apricot Vintage is my favorite boutique (the owners are super cool and their pieces are insane) but I also shop at Outskirts and Richard’s Fabulous Finds, Heyday vintage (in Evanston), Store B (which has the most insane collection of vintage Saint Laurent and other upscale designers), Spool (by the Ravinia train), and Betty and Al’s (which just opened). The most strange place I’ve found vintage is the Chicago costume store on Fullerton. It is very unassuming but they have a basement filled with the most insane vintage pieces for rather cheap!

This season can be the most tedious and difficult to stay confident during, but as Ellis says, “focusing on warmth & comfort is key to dressing for winter and sometimes the best outfits are the cozy ones and not the super dressed up ones for the season.”