Friday Fashion Pulse

Friday, Nov. 8 — “I left my bullwhip at home,” David Smith chuckled when I stopped him on Turner Street in Old Town.

The Indiana Jones-style hat perched on his head has enough character on its own that it needs no explanation. But Smith — not one to shy away from humor — gives me one anyway. “For some of us it’s an adaptive device for the hair challenged,” he said.

Smith is a Lansing resident and activist whose creative postcards are sold in area shops to raise funds for schools in Haiti. Smith’s great sense of humor is reflected in his work and reveals much more about his outfit than what first meets the eye.

In addition to the hair solution, the wide-brimmed hat from L.L. Bean ($139) adds personality to the rest of his wardrobe. And you don’t necessarily need to find hidden treasure to afford this type of headwear. While Smith’s hat is on the more expensive end of the spectrum, similar styles start at $12 from Target. A piece like this is a good investment because it can be worn with almost everything, as Smith demonstrates.

Bundled up for the cold, an earth-green cable-knit sweater stands out against the neutrals of his khaki slacks and brown jacket. The cable-knit sweater is an invaluable piece for the cold weather wardrobe, for both men and women. This style is found in most stores during the fall and winter seasons. The braided detail can stand alone with neutral colors or it can be paired with busier details — either way it’s a pattern that always looks classy.

Many of us will make enough sacrifices between sanity and style this frigid February. But hats and cable-knit sweaters can help us keep both. In their vast varieties, the two can be stylish and functional, making them the perfect addition to any winter wardrobe. Even Indy’s.