BUNDLE UP

Think your hat, gloves and scarf must be matchy-matchy? Think again - and you can choose a winning combination.

If you go looking now for a hat, scarf and glove set to combat cold weather, you know that at most stores, it's already slim pickings.

Trying to track down three matching pieces in a single store can be an exercise in futility. Love the gloves at Store A? You'd better pray Store B has a hat to match. Love that hat? You might shed tears of frustration before finding a scarf.

Thank goodness matchy-matchy is out. But looking pulled together isn't.

To help you with your own combo quest, we've created some guidelines.

HOW TO PICK A COMBO

Follow these simple guidelines from Suzanne Marchese, fashion editor of Us Weekly, and Nicole Phelps, executive editor of Style.com.

In general, follow the rule of two. Two of the pieces should match - either in color or fabric or color and fabric - and one piece should be different to add visual interest.

The only way you can get away with wearing three pieces in exactly the same color is if all three pieces are a classic cable knit. Don't wear three pieces that are patterned unless you're trying to channel the outfit your mother dressed you in before putting you on the bus to third grade.

Don't mix more than two colors. However, you can mix more than two neutrals if something ties them together.

If one piece is patterned, pick up on a color in the pattern to add the twist.