This winter in the UK we have been able to get out and about a bit more. This has meant I’ve been able to try out a few more outfit combinations. Here are the ones I feel have worked well for me and hopefully might give you some style inspiration too. All of these are practical classic combinations that work well for daytime or less formal evening occasions.
Skirts
The building blocks for both of these outfits are very similar. I have chosen neutral tones rather than colour throughout which is easy to build out from to create a successful look.
- A skirt that is short but not too short – I find this sort of length is flattering on me – shorter and it looks too try hard, longer and it looks too formal and officey. Both of these skirts will classic have some interest to them, the brown faux suede one has a wrap shape and the denim one has a raw hem.
- Opaque tights – these make me very happy in winter, warm and flattering and no need to worry about tanning or dealing with any other imperfections.
- Ankle boots – for both these otufits I have chosen classic black ankle boots which when worn with the tights elongate the legs. Both of these are old Zara. One is suede the other is faux leather and have a small heel.
- A black top/jumper/jacket – in the first outfit I am wearing my much loved classic leather jacket which toughens up the outfit just a tad. The jumper on the left was from Select has an on trend cut out detail- which is a nod to 90’s, Y2K fashion (which is undergoing a revival at the mo)
- An accessory to finish off the look. I’ve kept both these outfits relatively plain, the outfit on the left has a classic gold chain necklace and basic black sunnies. In on the one on in the right I am wearing a hair band with pearl details.
You could successfully recreate this sort of look from items you already have in your wardrobe. Why not give it a go.
Jeans
The problem with jeans is that they can often be too hot in summer and too cold in winter so you have to choose the right occasion. I guess overall warmer winter are best for jeans outfits. Dark denim generally feels more winter appropriate. Though I also enjoyed wearing a wide leg light blue pair I bought towards the end of summer.
Here are three ways I styled my jeans this winter. For the first two outfits I’ve shown them with and without a third layer.
My third look pairs wide legged blue jeans (also on trend this year) with a pale grey knitted top. The boots are taupe faux suede (this season from Primark)and tone in with the faux fur hat and coat. I have also included some chunky gold chain necklace and a plaited faux leather belt.
In essence all of these three looks are fairly basic and easy to put together, I started with the jeans in each case and then added items in colours that complemented them and each other.
Shorts
The next couple of outfits are perhaps not so obvious. A few years ago, er maybe around 2005 (?) it was really trendy to pair shorts with tights, and I got into the look then. This is a great concept as it means you can wear shorts all year round giving something else to play with in your wardrobe. Worn right I think they can also look great on us more mature ladies.
The first look (out and about in Kings Cross at Coal Drops Yard – well worth a visit for the shopping and eating) is based around the faux leather shorts. I deliberately keep the look minimal with my basic black leather jacket and urban feel grey leopard boot style trainers). In contrast the second look is a bit more glamorous and out there. I was in two minds whether to purchase this tartan playsuit from Select (as its probably aimed at a younger person), however I was pleased I did. Its still available in grey/black and on sale). I think it works well with the black polar neck and black knee high boots to streamline the looks. For both looks I added a tote bag, the first in burgundy the second in khaki which add a little more colour without distracting from the overall looks.
Trousers
And finally trousers… Here are two looks here which I enjoyed putting together. Both of them were just for a trip to the local shops nothing fancy, but I still wanted to make an effort and inject some sass into an every day outfit. The first one combines a paper bag waist pair of camel trousers with a brown body, the second is really just one way of wearing faux leather leggings – a very useful item in any winter wardrobe. Here I’ve teamed them with a slightly edgy faux leather jacket, and a khaki roll neck and bag, my boots are quite old and are a Chloe Susanna style dupe.
