My blouses and shirts don’t get much action for half the year because I much prefer wearing warm and cozy knitwear in the late Autumn, Winter and early Spring. But every so often, just to change things up, I will wear a blouse or shirt in the colder months as long as I can insulate them in a reasonable way. Granted, temperatures must be above freezing and toasty central heating is a must. 

These are the exact blouses and shirts from my wardrobe that I will wear in cold weather. They are long-sleeved, high-necked, opaque and covered. And in the case of the plaid shirt, brushed flannel is cozy against the skin and feels adequately Winter-y. 

Here’s how I insulate my blouses to stay warm:  

1. With Long-Sleeved Thermal Underwear

I’ve found Uniqlo’s Heattech thermal underwear to be best because it’s fitted, lightweight, extremely soft, and warm. Heat without the bulk. I will wear a long-sleeved, crew neck Heattech T-shirt in black or white under a shirt or blouse, and finish off the outfit with a coat for outdoors. Sometimes I’ll also layer a camisole under the Heattech tee. You can barely see the Heattech tee under the opaque blouse or shirt, which creates a more polished look. In this way you can sport “the blouse look” instead of “the sweater look” in cold weather. 

2. Layered Under Knitwear 

Wearing a shirt or blouse under a pullover or cardigan is another way to insulate the item indoors. It creates a fun look when the collar, cuffs and shirt tail of the blouse or shirt are peeking out from under the pullover (or upscale sweatshirt for an athleisure vibe). For further insulation, I will also wear a camisole or Heattech tee under this combination. Top off the look with a wool coat and I’m good to go.

I run cold so it’s important that I insulate under and over blouses and shirts in cold weather with the right pieces. But some of my clients don’t bother because they run much warmer than I do. They will happily wear a sleeveless blouse year round without a camisole — forget the Heattech — and simply layer a jacket or cardigan over the top. It is hard for me to understand how they manage this in the dead of Winter without feeling cold, but they do. They might pop a coat on if they’re outside for any length of time. In some cases, these clients are worried about overheating when wearing knitwear indoors, which means that they need the option of removing layers and wearing light layers to be comfortable.

Over to you. Do you wear shirts and blouses in cold weather, and if so, how do you insulate them?

Retail items in the United States can unexpectedly go on sale. You purchase a wardrobe item one week only to find that it’s discounted the next. Or you find the same piece at a lower price somewhere else. If your purchase was recent, some retailers will give you a price adjustment, or even match the lower price of the item at another retailer. But often you’ve paid the higher price for the item and that’s that.

This is definitely frustrating, but things will probably balance out when you save money on unexpected bargains. What you lose on the swings, you’ll gain on the roundabouts.

Also, there is nothing wrong with paying full price for an item. There are all sorts of reasons why doing so can be a good idea. For instance, some wardrobe items are time sensitive, which means that you can’t wait for them to be discounted. You run the risk of missing the item in your size and preferred colour if you wait for the sale. Perhaps most importantly, you are likely to be more discerning about a purchase when you pay full price. This can help to ensure that you add the right pieces to your wardrobe. 

So next time you pay full price and then see the item go on sale and fail to get a price adjustment, try to relax into it. Don’t let it affect your enjoyment of the item. There are many bargains to be had, and you’ll hit the jackpot the next time round.

Kate Spade is launching a new company, Jonathan Anderson was the big winner at the British Fashion Awards, an ASOS bridal collection, and more style news that made headlines over the last few weeks.

• Earlier this month, it was announced that Lucky magazine has now ceased publishing online as well.
• The word “athleisure” will be added to the Merriam-Webster dictionary in 2016.
• Style.com has hired Yasmin Sewell as its first Fashion Director.
• Kate Spade’s new company, Frances Valentine, will be launching next Spring with a shoe and handbag line.
• Kohl’s is teaming up with Reed Krakoff for its next designer collaboration.
• ASOS is launching a bridal collection with all pieces costing less than $300.
• Jonathan Anderson won the womenswear and menswear designer of the year awards at the British Fashion Awards.
• For the holidays Jimmy Fallon collabored with J.Crew on a pocket-square iPhone case.
• Polo Ralph Lauren have installed interactive fitting rooms in their Fifth Avenue flagship store.
• To make donating clothing easier this holiday season, Levi’s is supplying free shipping labels that will deliver any package of garments and shoes to the nearest participating Goodwill location.
• Macy’s is launching a Korean beauty shop-in-shop.
• Everlane is donating all Black Friday profits to its factory workers.
• A new Met exhibit highlights the style of French aristocrat and designer Countess Jacqueline de Ribes.

Fashion Quote of the Day

I always enjoy reading the My Beauty Uniform series over at A Cup of Jo. This quote from a recent instalment struck a chord with me. When asked about her overall beauty philosophy, interior stylist and product designer Hollister Hovey said:

“Stand up straight, smile and never try to compete with anyone but your current self.”

I have particularly dry skin, especially on my face, but have managed to keep it healthy and flake-free for years thanks to one trick and a few wonderful products. It took a while to hit the right regimen, but I’m pleased to have found it. Here’s the rundown of my daily routine.

• Cleanse ONCE a day: I use my facial cleanser at night to remove dirt and make-up, but in order to retain the natural oils, I only wash my face with water in the morning. It’s AMAZING how moisture-retaining this little trick has been.
• Nivea Body Wash & Body Lotion: I’ve been using Nivea body lotion most of my life because it agrees with my sensitive skin. Soap — no matter how moisturizing — tends to dry out my skin so I use Nivea moisturizing body wash instead. I slather on Nivea body lotion after I’ve dried off because it’s the combination of the two products that is extra effective. I like their scents, but they might not agree with you. 
• Eucerin Anti-Wrinkle Creme for Sensitive Skin: I’m dubious of the anti-wrinkle properties of cosmetics, but I use this product twice a day because the texture is divine and it soothes my skin. It’s very moisturizing, and works well with the sunscreen that I apply over the top. 
• Laura Mercier Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer: I only recently discovered this product and it has been a game changer for my skin. I used to use Laura Mercier’s regular tinted moisturizer and applied a little jojoba oil over the top to create a dewy appearance because I enjoy the look of shiny skin. I don’t need to do that with the illuminating formula because it makes my skin look shiny without the oil. 
• Jurlique Hand Cream: For very sentimental reasons I use jasmine and rose scented hand creams for my hands. 
• Vicks VapoRub: On some nights I rub a little Vicks on the cracked heels of my feet and cover them with socks before I go to bed. Surprisingly, it seems to work better than foot creams. 

I also use lip balm before I apply lipstick, to prevent my lips from cracking. And I enjoy kneading pastry dough because butter makes your hands look great.

Over to you. Which are your favourite tricks and products to combat dry skin?