How to keep warm and still look good?

[2pointfourmonkeys]

Brrr, is it really only September?

After being in a rut for years (jeans and a jumper, yawn) I finally managed to clamber out this summer and have loved wearing more skirts, culottes and dresses.

I'd love to be more adventurous over the winter but everything I've looked at in the shops makes me feel cold just looking at them 🥶🥶🥶🥶 particularly skirts and dresses.

Has anyone any suggestions of that are both stylish and warm? I'm a skinny apple shape and have found layering can make my look/feel quite frumpy but suspect I'm just not very good at it 😂😂

I live somewhere very cold in the winter (- 15 C) so my whole winter wardrobe is geared towards looking warm and nice at the same time.

I buy the men's 100% merino wool polo-necks from Uniqlo, and wear one of them as a base layer. Then, I either wear one of Unqlo's 100% wool coatigans over the top, or a similar chunky-knit cardi from somewhere else. COS had a gorgeous kimono-style wrap cardi last winter which I lived in, and may try to hunt down another of online.

Otherwise, I got some lovely knitted dresses from Muji. Again, 100% wool. I'd wear one of these under one of the cardigans above.

For the bottom, I bought many pairs of Uniqlo heattech knee, or over the knee, socks, and wore a pair of 100% wool ankle socks over the top of them. Then, I either wore chunky corduroy trousers - Zara had some nice ones last winter, but I also got a couple of nice flared pairs online, or, as a new entry to my wardrobe last year, I'd wear knitted trousers. You can google or search "knit culottes" on Zara to see what I mean.

My main way of keeping it looking decent is to mainly buy according to a coordinating colour pallet. I'm naturally pale with mid-brown hair, so I find that camel tones and earthy browns look best against my pasty winter skin. The cooler blues and pinks I'd wear during the summer make me look like a corpse by January.

Otherwise, you can just buy some Uniqlo heattech base layers and wear them under your regular clothes, if it's not actually that cold.

Thermal vest underneath helps, and I bought some fleece lined tights in primary which are great. I also invest in a great coat I love wearing rather than an ill fitting parka.

I like layers, chunky scarves, thick tights and boots.

I wear jumper dresses with thick tights. I've got a lovely black cord skirt which will be worn with a jumper tucked in at the front, thick tights and ankle boots. I've also got a lovely thick warm coat which is fab. I'm investing in some thermals this year as I've been diagnosed with raynards so need to keep extra warm.

Menopause - I'm the one pratting about in a jumper while everyone else is in The North Face parkas.

My lovely coats are hanging in the wardrobe

Roll on the end of the flushes and I can join you in proper winter clothes

Ha ha @70isaLimitNotaTarget i'm holding out for the menopause in the hope i feel warm again!

Thanks for the ideas, a Uniqlo has recently opened near me, i'll check it out!