Wool fleece cocoon coat, Fendi, $2,180, at Fendi Boutique nationwide. Vintage velvet bow hat, from Early Halloween, NYC. Sheer gloves, Carolina Amato, $75. Lace thigh-highs, Donna Karan, $22 Cotton-blend satin dress, Christian Lacroix, $5,546, at Christian...

Fashion, so often clairvoyant with clothing, has woven a different image for this season - a period when no young banker wants to wear knitwear the color of a pink "you're laid off" slip, or when hanging around a bar, hugging a glass of bubbly against...