Winter fashion this year is all about choosing your outfit and making it your own with flamboyant accents that highlight your inner female power. As a Personal Stylist, I always tell my clients that your taste comes first, then fill the gaps with seasonal pieces that make you happy. The excitement that comes with a new on-trend piece makes you look for opportunities to wear your favourite outfits, with your latest find as the star that makes you feel good from the inside out. Others will notice as you walk taller, smile more and ultimately, exude confidence with every step.
- Full Sleeves are still a hit this season, with some labels going puffier than ever; even adding should pads back into the mix. If you’re a fan of keeping your arms covered, have narrow shoulders or just love a good statement up top, these are definitely for you. To maximise this look, let the arms be the area with the most volume, keeping the rest of the outfit uncomplicated and drawing the focal point back to your sensational sleeves. Witchery and Smoke & Mirrors both have great full sleeve options.
- A Knit Dress can be so comfortable and a welcome change from all the pants we seem to get stuck wearing during the cooler months. The trick with this trending dress, is to layer and accessorise it in a way that is ‘you’. Most of these dresses come in single block colours, so you can play with colour and texture endlessly. The easiest ways to turn up the heat on your style game, is to add scarves, vests, and coats that change the whole look of your outfit. Simple sneakers work, but you can’t really go past a pair of ankle or knee high boots to really ‘winterise’ the whole look. Forever New and Seed both have extensive options and try on both your regular size and a size up to see how different they can make your figure appear. Belt the dress to create a figure flattering waistline too.
- Checkered Prints are everywhere right now and look best teamed with a simple neutral colour – think black, white, browns, navy and greys. The eye is naturally drawn to the detail of the print, so make sure your choose a piece that flatters the areas of your body that you are most comfortable with. Tip: If you find that you love a jacket but the contrast seems too much near your face, break it up with a block coloured scarf to neutralise some of that contrast. Portmans & Myer have a wide array of choice of tops, jackets and bottoms in varying check designs.
- Vests are back and this is one of the easiest solutions for winter layering. Almost every store has their own version of this right now. Some are cropped and others are long line, so it just depends on your preference. The way to wear your vests successfully over shirts, is to match the neckline. The exception to this lies in blouses that have peaky collars or are high necked, where you are best finding a vest neckline that creates the look you want – low and long, or high and round. Whatever you choose, make sure the vest looks good from the back as well, you want something that comes in at the waist to avoid that bulky look.
- Oversized Jackets and Coats are in abundance this season, and if you’ve just got to have one, consider it an investment piece and buy one you really love. It should be a good neutral colour for you and look like it already ‘fits’ in your wardrobe. Steer clear of bulky layers under your coat, such as bomber and puffer jackets, opting for simple, more streamlined items that sit invisibly underneath. Let the jacket/coat do the talking by pairing with slimming pants or stockings and boots on the lower half. Look at Atmos&Here and Veronika Maine for great stylish options in a variety of colours.
Statement Boots are chunkier than ever this year and have a more down to earth feel about them. They’re flatter than usual (I can hear you breathing a sigh of relief), plus, they’re a mixture of leather, suede, shiny patent and everything in between. As a result, they can be worn for most casual to smart casual occasions and the colour should complement and harmonise with the rest of your wardrobe. The more masculine versions look spectacular with contrasting feminine floaty hemlines. Thick stockings and tights will serve most who are looking for warmth as well as style. Check out Jo Mercer, Midas, or the range of white options from Wittner too.
