what to wear--skiing trip

[hydeparkhottie]

I have found myself pandering to another event where I will be out of my depth.

I am apparently going skiing in the first week of feb. I am not a winter animal and have avoided the slopes successfully for 30 years. It looks like this year, I have no excuses.

What do I wear? Where do I even go to look? I live in London.

I am a chubby size 14, 5'5, I am 30 years old (mother of two). I am hoping to be eating oysters and drinking champagne all day (but I have a feeling this is wishful thinking).

How do you even accessorise for this type of situation?

I feel most confident skinny jeans, tunics and heels no higher than 4 inches for day to day, but I think heels are a no go for the slopes...can I just get away with being hotel lobby chic?

[hydeparkhottie]

I can do hotel lobby chic (not like a prostitute) but like a mom.

[ChippyMinton]

Get some snow boots and a warm jacket and hat to go over your clothes, and a set if merino thermals to go under.
And sunglasses.
Sorted.

[Bunbaker]

TK Maxx is a good place for ski wear at sensible prices.

[WhereIsMySantaHat]

Sorel boots and nice jumpers with skinny jeans would be my choice.

[WhereIsMySantaHat]

Oh and some uniqlo heat tech for layering.

[ChippyMinton]

Yes, heatech, fab stuff.
Maybe some faux fur to compete with the Russians

[HarveySpecter]

Where are you going? It really will affect your choices. We go to a sleepy family resort with no nightlife. We eat in our b&b and the dress code is very low key - tracksuit bottoms/lounge wear and then bed. I love it. Our friends, however, go posh, 5* 4 course dinner and very sociable so dress is different - all designer names and polite conversation wouldn't suit me at all

[trixymalixy]

Yy to Sorel boots and skinny jeans.

[hydeparkhottie]

we are going to a place called Whistler, British Canada ...Canada is a country that greatly confuses me. I have no idea what to expect.

will I need to spray tan before I go?

[MrsIcarus2]

We've been skiing in Whistler a couple of times. I'd say it's pretty relaxed - jeans and jumpers. Didn't see anyone dressed up and we ate out most nights in decent restaurants. Can be very cold though, so decent boots and jacket are essential.

[Bunbaker]

Canada is way colder than Europe, so forget about looking "cool". You need some proper cold weather clothes. As for spray tan, I wouldn't have thought so.

[snowgirl1]

Spray tan? Not unless you're planning to ski in a bikini. Ski gear for during the day. Jeans, boots (Sorel boots, as someone else suggested, are good) and jumper for the evenings.

[hydeparkhottie]

phew about the spray tan. It's difficult to get that look right. If I get too deep, I then have to bleach my teeth and then I just keep playing catch up--looking like a jaundiced fool at the end. It looks great with enough instragram filters though.

Okay, so sorel boots, is sweaty betty a good place to look? Or should I stick to HM?

[rookietherednosedreindeer]

You lucky person - we're off to Canada in the summer. I haven't been for 10 years, but from what I remember Canadians are not wildly stylish, plus it will be cold there. I wouldn't bother with the spray tan, but then I'd never bother with a spray tan so I'm probably not the right person to ask.

Now is a good time to buy ski gear, all the sales are on. I'm a curvy size 14 too, I'd say with ski stuff it's about achieving a streamlined look, so going for fitted ski pants and then a brightly coloured jacket, maybe belted.

Or just hide out in the mountain side cafe sipping hot chocolate.

[rookietherednosedreindeer]

Drat, due to your last post I made the mistake of looking at the sweaty betty ski gear, lovely stuff and ticks all the boxes - streamlined bottom half, belted jacket, sadly too pricey for me so I will have to continue to stuff my well padded bottom half into Helly Hansen ski pants that were boutght about 15 years and a stone ago !

[itsveryyou]

Just got back from skiing in Colorado, wish I was still there! Take warm layers, pref a merino wool base layer with warmer fleece top. Ski pants, wind proof jacket, waterproof and warm gloves, snow boots. Wear a sports bra for comfort and get som warm ski socks which have a padded shin area. A funky hat is always a good idea for when you're not wearing a helmet. The cold and sun will make your skin glow, take some good lip balm and moisturizer and you're good to go!

[hydeparkhottie]

I'm sure you look fabulous.

Sadly, this will be a horrible trip. DH and I are most likely going to be splitting up soon. Neither of us wants to admit it, I think this is his last ditch effort to save us.

I'm going to make an effort to look nice, but it's not really going to work. Not enough spray tan in this world to make my personality sparkle the way it needs to....and not enough teeth bleaching will help with his.

[rookietherednosedreindeer]

Sorry to hear that OP.

[CheeseBuster]

Try covent garden, there are quite a few gear shops close together. Ellis Brigham are great, north face etc. Spray tans and teeth bleaching definitely not needed.

Make sure to get proper ski socks not cheap tube socks as they are crap. You don't need a sports bra unless you are planning on whizzing over mogal fields. You can get away with jeans and a decent coat to walk around in. Take cute jumpers for the evening, leave behind anything that exposes shoulder as you simply won't wear it. Russian style fur hat or headband is quite popular ATM but depends if you can pull it off or you could end up looking like someone from towie in it.

[itsveryyou]

Oh, I'm sorry to hear that (sad). Maybe it'll be just the time away you need together? I was terrified of skiing after a bad experience as a teenager, and hadn't been in nearly 25 years...it was the BEST experience! I re learned to ski and loved every minute. As for après ski clothes, mine were fleecy pyjamas as I was too shattered to glam it up after a day on the slopes (smile) hope it goes well xx

[hydeparkhottie]

Not to worry ladies, it's okay if it ends. Neither of us wants it to end, but I'm not happy to trudge around.

At the very least, I should look pretty for my (fake) happy selfies.

I am walking into middle age with the realisation that superficiality is going to be my only saving grace. I can just about embrace it. It'll be okay. I will find something fabulous. Maybe get a drunken tattoo of pigeon flying free across my ass.

[toffeeboffin]

I live in Canada and can attest that it's cold. Tomorrow it will be minus ten, but it is a dry cold so not as bad as plus five and humid in the UK! I live on the East Coast at the moment but lived in Whistler for six months and it is awesome!

Even if you don't plan on doing any winter sports ( which would be a huge shame, especially in Whistler as there's not only skiing, but tubing, snow shoeing, ski-dos etc) you'll need to be dressed properly or you just will not enjoy yourself at all. Good boots, a proper coat and you absolutely need a hat.

Also, Whistler is pretty lively at night, loads of nice restaurants and cool bars, so definitely take some decent gear to wear at night, not just track pants and Uggs!

Please, please try some winter sports, it's so much fun! There's loads of cafes and bars to warm up in for some apres ski afterwards

[toffeeboffin]

Spray tan? No, you'll have goggle marks but the end of the week!

[hydeparkhottie]

nice restaurants and a nightlife sounds like fun! I desperately hope the man I married resurfaces.

[snowmummy]

You're really not into this idea, are you? I'd love to go to Whistler. I'll go in your place if you like