Profile on Style is a weekly post that explores the motivations behind GW’s fashion trends. We’ll show you the most interesting aspects of GW style, and then try to make some sense of it all. Keep your eyes open for a reporter and photographer walking around because you might become the latest trendsetter.

This post was written by Hatchet reporter Samantha Hatton.

It’s the time of year for outerwear: pea coats, puffer coats, leather jackets, fur coats – you name it. There are countless outerwear styles to choose from, but this winter, the color black has become overwhelmingly popular. Here are some examples of how GW students stay fabulous in black.

Name: Anastasia Foerschner
From: Connecticut
Year: 2014
Major: Sociology
Outfit: Coat, London Fog; boots, Candie’s; bag, GW Bookstore

Sophomore Anastasia Foerschner paired a black coat from London Fog with a pair of black boots, pulling her outerwear ensemble together, head to toe. Complementing a jacket with matching footwear can help create a sharp, simple look appropriate for wandering around campus and braving the cold for that quick Starbucks run.

Name: Akunna Ibe
From: Nigeria
Year: 2012
Major: International Affairs and Anthropology
Outfit: Coat, Calvin Klein; jeggings, Forever 21; shoes, Kenneth Cole; scarf, Nordstrom; bag, Louis Vuitton

We found Akunna Ibe and her brother, Chidi, at J Street and fell in love with this sibling duo’s cool, sophisticated style. Akunna added texture and volume to her outfit by layering a knit infinity scarf over her Calvin Klein jacket. This volume was offset by the simplicity of her Kenneth Cole flats. Particularly in women’s fashion, outerwear tends to add volume to the top half of an outfit, so pairing a simple, non-bulky shoe like a pointed-toe flat with a pair of skinny jeans can create a chic silhouette. We were also fans of her Louis Vuitton cross-body bag. The thin strap and compact design served as that perfect extra touch without detracting from the natural silhouette of her outfit.

Name: Chidi Ibe
From: Nigeria
Year: 2012
Major: Finance
Outfit: Jeans, RVCA; shoes, Vans; watch, Guess

Akunna’s brother, Chidi, wore a jacket with several button details, including a button on each shoulder. These small add-ons gave the jacket a utilitarian feel, lending some edge to his look. We learned that this jacket was actually a gift from Akunna. Like his sister, Chidi also opted for a simpler shoe in consideration for the complexity of his detailed jacket. He added some flare to his outfit by sporting a gold Guess watch. Gold works well for dressing up dark pieces of clothing, such as a black coat.