I think we can now safely say that summer is well and truly gone, meaning it’s a great time to sort out your winter wardrobe. So I’m going to share some tips on how I get prepared and how it makes my life a little bit easier.
Tip number 1 - Rotate your wardrobe
This applies if, like me, you don’t have enough space to keep out all your clothes and shoes all the time.
Just recently I’ve had the chance to go through my wardrobe and strip out anything that I know I’m not going to wear over the next 6 months.
I’ve packed away my summer dresses, summer jumpsuits, lighter weight items and summer shoes and dug out my winter box from the loft. From the winter box I had a thorough try on of everything, and only items that fitted well made it back into the wardrobe.
Now I know that everything hanging up is going to work with the seasonal weather, works on my current bodyshape AND it fits.
Not only is it a really good feeling but I also feel like I’ve got some ‘new’ things to wear! It does require a bit of time though so if you feel overwhelmed, do it in sections rather than one big hit.
Tip number 2 - Weatherproof your footwear
Whatever you’re going to be wearing on your feet, be it boots or shoes, give them a good old brush and clean before spraying liberally with a protection product. This will help keep them in better shape through any rain, snow or slush. Or pop them in to Pavers or Deichmann both of whom can spray them for you.
I’ve also seen video clips using beeswax and your hairdryer to achieve the same waterproofing effect but can’t admit to trying that one myself yet!
While you’re spending time on your footwear, check the soles and heels and repair at your local cobblers if necessary. I’ve just had some boots reheeled and now they are good to go for another season.
Tip number 3 - Invest in a great winter coat
Honestly, a fabulous coat can be a game changer. It’s the easiest and fastest way to make an outfit look great. Plus, if you get one that’s fairly long, it doesn’t matter what you’ve got on underneath as the coat will do all the talking for you.
I’m a massive fan of coats (have I mentioned that I was forced to sell some as the weight of them pulled the hooks off the wall last year? ) and my top tip is to have one in a neutral tone and one in a colour.
I’ve been lucky enough to find two amazing quality coats this year - both were from charity shops and cost less than £50 for the pair. I went for black as my neutral and red as my colour pop as these feature a lot in my wardrobe. The black one can easily be worn over colours whereas the red one can bring a bit of magic to a neutral outfit.
Have a look in your wardrobe to see which tones would be the most complimentary for you.
Tip number 4 - Sort your base layers
I’m really talking vests and tights here....
If you hate being cold, having the right base layers can make ALL the difference. I love my dresses and thermal tights make them wearable on even the coldest of days.
I’ve tried so many types I’ve lost count but I’ve found that Snag had the best fit and didn’t once need hoicking up, Heatholders fleece lined thermal tights were the warmest (I tested them in Lapland last year) and Thought super soft bamboo tights as well as Seasalt Cornwall soft recycled nylon tights were the best eco options.
When it comes to vests, they might not be your friend if you’re experiencing hot flushes but if you’re not, the warmth a simple vest can add to an outfit is immense. Try and find one that’s quite fine and well fitted so it doesn’t add too much bulk.
Tip number 5 - Embrace winter accessories
I’m talking scarves, hats, gloves, earmuffs, shawls, throws and the like.
Not only will they keep you warm but they can change the whole vibe of an outfit and are an effective way of showing your own unique style personality.
You can create looks that are classic, chic and understated through to quirky, artistic and avant- garde just through the accessories you choose to wear.
I’ve dug out the zebra gloves I won in a competition last year and they will look good with both my red and black winter coats.
If you have a neutral coat, adding colourful gloves and a scarf will give you that instant hit of colour and create a more uplifting look.
So there’s 5 ideas to get you started towards being super organised for winter!