Personally, I hate trying to put everyday outfits together between January 2nd until around the middle of March. The festive season is over, the world is kind of miserable, and the new collections in the shops are destined for temperatures that we won't see for at least 4 months. If you're not getting straight in a car and straight out at your destination, outfit planning can be a nightmare.
Influencer inspo outfits do not work here either. Doing a look book in your front room with the caption 'you can add tights' will not bring me any comfort when I'm waiting for the train when it's still dark and snowing.
So, I've put together my own list of tips for depths of winter outfits. The idea here is that you can put together a stylish outfit for any occasion, and use these pointers to adapt it to its warmest version.
There tips are for the UK weather, so I hope if you're elsewhere in the world they still help.
Here are my top tips for making any outfit that bit warmer:
- There is no legal limit to how many pairs of tights you can wear at once. None at all. Go wild, just please don't do this daily and wash tights regularly to avoid disrupting your pH balance if ya know what I mean.
- Get a proper coat. This doesn't have to cost the earth, but these wool looking coats in a lot of hight street stores are actually glorified felt and will not keep you warm. A puffer coat or oversized faux fur number should do the trick, and still be on trend.
- Layering is key. Plus, if you get too warm, you can always remove layers. A vest top can go under pretty much anything and not be visible. If you're wearing a chunky knit jumper, you can layer t-shirts under there. A roll neck top looks chic under a shirt or jumper, and adds a lot of warmth. And who's to stop you throwing a cardigan or hoody over the top. Leggings under jeans is also a thing.
- Keep those extremities wrapped up. Yes, mum mode has been activated, but this is sound advice. Hats, gloves and chunky socks kids. If hat hair is an issue, a scarf can be pulled up higher or ear muffs are actually great too, just be careful crossing roads.
- You don't have to travel in your exact outfit you have planned for the day. -4 outside but you wanna wear cute shoes? No problem, just travel in boots and change when you get to your destination.
- Check the weather in advance. Yeh, mum mode again, but the weather can change so drastically in the space of a few days you never know. Some days may be a lot warmer than others, some days we might get surprise snow, so it's always a good idea to plan ahead.
- Microwavable hand warmers can always sit in pockets for an instant heat source.
- If I have to wear something that if a bit oversized or doesn't show off my figure in the quest to not catch hypothermia, I always try and create a juxtaposition within the outfit. For example, if i'm wearing an oversized jumper, I'll pair it with spray on skinnies or leather trousers (most leather trousers have a fleece lining for an extra warm win). If I'm wearing joggers, I'll tuck a roll neck jumper into it - these are warm but very figure flattering.
And, of course, don't forget to moisturise and stay hydrated
Let us know in the comments if you have any more advice!
Kate
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