As crisp autumn air turns bitter winter chill, putting together an outfit that’s both chic and suitable for braving the elements calls for some creativity…
For my fellow it girls who will always choose to look good over staying warm, this one is for you.
- The oversized scarf that’s basically a blanket
A leather blazer is hardly adequate for confronting minus temperatures, making this snuggly black and white scarf from Zara the saving grace on my trip to Berlin this February. Having doubled as a blanket on the plane ride there and back, it has rightfully earned its spot as my number one tip for keeping toasty whilst looking stylish as we head into the colder months.
The perfect accompaniment for your winter walks and the ultimate cheat code for staying cosy at your desk, you’ll get your money’s worth out of a big scarf you can really wrap up in.
Usually, when it comes to fashion I’m a big advocate for investing in the best materials you can afford. But, for the number of times this scarf has been stuffed into handbags, shoved under aeroplane seats and dropped on the office floor, it’s held up great and I’m glad I didn’t spend too much money on it. While a wool scarf would probably be warmer, it suits me to have one that I don’t have to be so precious about!
2. Socks over tights
Mini skirts with sheer tights in 0° weather are not for the faint of heart – and I’m not a big fan of those fleece tights that are made to look like sheer tights! Whether worked into the outfit as an extra layer or concealed under some knee-high boots, a pair of chunky socks over your favourite sheer tights will see you through this winter.
3. The l o n g wool coat
A wool coat is a no-brainer in autumn/winter, and I’m very fussy when it comes to choosing the perfect one. A high percentage of actual wool is one of my main criteria. Wool fibres have little air pockets that trap heat and keep your body warm. So, as tempting as the slightly less expensive acrylic duster may be, you won’t regret investing in an actual wool coat that you can wear year after year.
I would also recommend one that’s super long and has tonnes of fabric – something you can wrap up in. This one from Ted Baker is my pride and joy; not only does it shield me from the cold from head to toe, but I love how it is a little unique yet still goes with everything. If you can find something that has a little more character, I would go for it. After all, once it’s done up, the coat becomes the only thing people see, so it’s worth getting one that stands out.
4. Fingerless gloves that turn into mittens
There’s no worse feeling than frozen fingertips, but wearing gloves only to not be able to use your hands is positively suffocating. Whilst they look super cute, I’ve always found fingerless gloves kind of pointless – that is until I found these ones in Accessorize a couple of years back. Once you’ve used your phone to your heart’s content, these fingerless gloves turn into mittens and keep your whole hand toasty and comfortable. I find these much more practical than those ‘touch screen gloves’ that let’s face it, do not work.
As I said, I purchased my ones a couple of years back, and you’ll notice that as a theme throughout this post; once you’ve got one version of all of these things, that’s really all you need!
5. The clear umbrella
This one is less about keeping you warm and more about keeping you dry. I remember watching Gossip Girl and seeing Serena and Blair dotting about NYC with those huge birdcage umbrellas – I always thought they looked so sophisticated.
It won’t fit into your handbag and it might seem a bit extra, but a big clear birdcage umbrella will shield your entire top half without depriving people of seeing your outfit, all the while letting you see out with ease. Whilst you have to carry it around, you’ll never have that embarrassing moment of wrestling with your inside-out umbrella in the wind – and we can agree, there’s nothing chic about that.
6. Cashmere
I recently wore a jumper dress from a fast fashion brand to work and spent all day feeling like I was wearing cardboard… I hate to say it because I too am not made of money, but investing in quality fabrics, i.e., some solid cashmere basics, is a game changer.
About 8 times lighter than wool and twice as light, a little of this soft-feel fabric in your wardrobe is the key to feeling super cosy without bulking on a tonne of layers this winter.
If you too are just starting your collection of high-quality winter basics, I think the best starting point would be a turtleneck in your most worn colour and a good knit jumper. You can find some great options from COS and M&S.
These six tips save me from absolutely freezing in the colder months without having to compromise on looking good. Feel free to share some of your tips for staying stylish whilst keeping cosy below!
