Calling Suz and other winter lamenters - YouLookFab Forum

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Calling Suz and other winter lamenters

catgirl

Veteran

It's not that I don't enjoy winter dressing - it's just too early! This weekend we got the expected "termination dust" (snow on the peaks signaling the end of summer), and it was 38 degrees when I left the house this morning. It's COLD! I am just not ready for the same old skinnies and boots already.

I am seeking one or two ways to make the next nine months more interesting without adding more of the same or orphans to the closet. This is why I'm hunting work-worthy OTK boots. I think they would work with shorter dresses or skirts and warm tights, already a part of my repertoire.

Anyone else care to brainstorm new ideas for winter uniforms? Sorry to drag you into my chilly world!

Dressing

43 replies

Latest reply was from catgirl

Word Lily

Veteran

This isn't so much a winter uniform but more maybe a way to stave off the eventual uniform by a few days or weeks. [I don't live in the frozen North right now, but I did spend a few years in northeast Montana, so I know what cold is.]

I've been working on warm wool sweaters with less than full sleeves — thinking I can wear them earlier in the year but also maybe with long mitts if/when the coverage is needed, but I'd still not technically be wearing long sleeves (getting that inch of skin Suz has been talking about).

abc

Veteran

OMG Una, snow already? Sorry, you didn't want to hear that.

You, Suz and many others are SO far ahead of me on the fashion curve that I can't offer any help. But I will offer you encouragement and YLF style support!! I hope you find ways to keep your long winter dressing exciting.

Maneera

(website)

Veteran

Oh damn. I have no ideas or suggestions since winter is far away for us....and I have lived in a place where it snowed no more than 2 months. But I can imagine your plight! 9 months long brutal winter surrounded by snow....I think I'd go into hibernation too! I truly deeply madly hate winter!!!

Elly

Veteran

I'd wear my bootcuts and trousers now before the snow comes. I think the OTK boots could be a really great look for you and you could even "hide" thermal tights or leggings that way.

catgirl

Veteran

Snow won't hit the ground till October... It's that feeling of encasement I'm dreading - not just physically in my clothes but mentally. Time to shift gears! I wish I could find one game-changing idea - are OTK boots it?

Anonymous

Ugh, winter.

For this year, I'm planning on adding is a simple dress with a turtleneck under it and tights (possibly leg warmers if tights are not warm enough).
------I guess you're already on top of this, alaskagirl!

I might also add some very twee block heeled flats to complete the 60's look (worn outdoors in fall, indoors in winter). I think these will add some panache to my jeans-and-sweater outfits as well. I'm not convinced these shoes fit my style, but I need to get them out of my system.
------Maybe think about your own closed-toe indoor shoe that suits your style, but is a bit outside your comfort zone?

I want a blanket sized, luxurious wool scarf and a pair of nicer-quality leather gloves in burgundy or some other colour.
------Maybe think about ways to make your own outerwear more luxurious or colourful?

abc

Veteran

How would the OTK boots work for your lifestyle? I would have to think the suede would need more babying and with severe weather like you have might not be practical? I could be way off base here, so set me straight.

What happened with the kick a** take no names flying leather straps boots? Or should I not ask

AviaMariah

Veteran

While it doesn't get quite as cold here I'm very cold blooded so I need to dress very warm all winter. My uniform is basically ponte pants and a sweater. I added a few interesting sweaters during NAS and am keeping my eye out for a few more. I'm hoping that will help my boredom but who knows. I'll be following this thread with interest. Maybe the key is we need a midwinter YLF gathering in Seattle to refresh our winter wardrobes.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I have no advice but I just sweated out a two-mile walk in 85 degrees with 85% humidity. I'm jealous. I WISH we had cooler temps on the horizon. I don't like summer.

catgirl

Veteran

ABC, I passed on the Fryes as I think they fit in the "more of the same" category for me, especially at that price! Suede may be a problem but all the boots I'm looking at come in a leather option too.

Anonymous

Well, I live where one is allowed to lament winter, but honestly, to me it's no different than the extreme heat and humidity of summer. Both get old pretty quickly and it's tough to summon up the enthusiasm to dress for them. Not to get all preachy and sanctimonious on us all, but I refuse to fall into the the "I hate winter" trap. I like Smittie's ideas, as I too love to get out my plaid coat, colour leather gloves, big wraps, jeans etc. As for finding something new to add to our limited winter weather repertoires, I'm just hoping it will happen organically, and further into the season. I am also hoping to take something that worked for me this summer (which was stupidly hot and humid for about 6 weeks) - athletic and gear based skirts and dresses - and find their equivalent for winter. It may be a quilted skirt over a legging (you already do that) and a modified hiking boot, it may be a sport legging (looser fit, almost that Adida soccer pant look) with a blazer and hoodie, jewellery and sneakers or boots , .....i know these aren't much different than sweaters and leggings, but I'm going to try shopping the golf stores, the North Face shops, etc, to see what I can pull out of those lines and make it work for me.

AviaMariah

Veteran

Thinking about this some more - for me I think it's important that I have variety - in the sweaters like I said. But also in comfortable, warm footwear. So while it may seem excessive for me to have 3-4 pairs of flat/low heeled blacks boots/booties, it really is necessary for me as that's what I wear 80% of the time. Also, enjoy wearing a lot of black and gray in the winter but find that I start craving pops of color about January. So I'm always on the lookout for bright, vibrant sweaters etc. I also love that Angie wears bright wool coats.

Anonymous

I have always loved winter but dread it this year. Encasement is a great way to describe that feeling. And my winter is way shorter than yours. So what can we do to feel freer, lighter, less encased?

I'm hankering after some winter-like ice blues and frost greys in drapey fabrics such as light wool. This has been good for my budget as I can't seem to find much ice blue this year.

catgirl

Veteran

I don't hate winter! I ski and skate and do all the compulsory winter survival activities. I do find 9 months of dressing for it (and looking at everyone else in grey and black all the time) to be tiresome, and it is the source of much of my impulse purchasing. I want things to happen organically but that often translates to desperation in my case. I hope to stave that off with some considered additions!

We do not get the heat and humidity here at all - it's mostly temperate and often rainy in summer. It's quite lovely and nothing that makes you long for cold.

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

I am not a big fan of winter but mainly because ours are brutal. I can handle temps above -20 but after that I need to hibernate.

I have found that a pair of booties or knee high boots with fleece tights and a knit dress is a good uniform for the days that are not overly windy. I used to wear this a lot and add a jacket over top when indoors - leather or wool.

JAileen

Veteran

I just noticed a change in the light this morning. It looks different. It looks like fall. And yesterday the low was 50F. It's coming. I really welcome it. We had too many days over 95F. I was sick of the heat. Just this morning I ordered another down parka for birding. Anyone familiar with Fjallraven? I'm trying it out. Hopefully it's good quality, comfortable, and warm. If not, back it goes.

Re dressing for nine months of winter, I have no idea. Don't wear black until November 15? Go to Kauai for Valentine's Day?

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

What about wide cropped pants and boots that go up underneath them?

L'Abeille

Veteran

Oh I feel you. Today I had another summer outfit all planned out with my new-to-me replacement Birkalikes and my silk cropped pants... and it is overcast and 15C out. So I wore it anyway, with a light trench and turned the heat on in the car. But as they say in Westeros, Winter is coming. And my head is finally ready to contemplate fall wardrobes, at least.

Last winter I practised a strategy I think I got from Suz, that is thinking of several mini-seasons so I vary the capsules and the feel. Fall into winter is black and grey, lots of menswear tartans etc. Without snow on the ground yet I get a lot of wear from my transitional toppers (leather jacket, pea coat etc) and I can do booties, and loafers and oxfords with socks (I embrace it, I wear stripes or foulard prints that show with ankle pants). Once into Advent season I copy Beth Ann and bring out the jewel tones and metallics till after Christmas. Come January I get minimalist with more black and grey again, but a deep winter aesthetic. By March I am so done with that and I manage to dig out some knits and cozy pieces in (for me) pastels and florals so I can pretend it's spring.

Last year I also got really into knits. I now have quite a collection of big fuzzy sweaters (that still can be layered under the white coat at work) in combinations of black, grey, white and red. I have a couple of knit tube skirts, which I used to always contrast with a woven top, but now got into teaming with one of the big sweaters. And to top it off, I found an ivory knit beret and black-and-white knit fingerless gloves, that I wore over my leather gloves outdoors, and indoors for fun and casual. I got tons of comments and it made me feel not so same-old same-old. Sadly, I think the beret disappeared by winter's end--I should start scouting for a replacement.

Um what was the question?

gryffin

Veteran

Una - I know you don't always have luck with EF. But she had an awesome video and how to layer pieces. Lots of texture but light enough to be worn under a jacket for some of them. I was going to play with that. http://www.eileenfisher.com/Ei.....cale=en_US She shows how she layers pieces to achieve different looks without a huge amount of stuff. Also toppers/blazers swapping tunics, skirted leggings, boots, that's how I get my variety. I'm not an accessory girl, too fussy, but if you love scarves that's another great way to mix it up. The vivienne files does an awesome job with that. PS boots are my go to accessory, so you know I'm on board with the OTK. I'm waiting to break all of mine out too!

catgirl

Veteran

Gryffin, you don't know how much I would love to wear EF! But I can still appreciate and aspire to the look. I have gotten so far from layering with my easy dressing, I'm afraid to open the door to it and discover that I need more stuff... Will watch your link!

Ummlila, that is a fantastic idea. I have burgundy culottes arriving tomorrow!

L'Abeille, those are great suggestions. Mini-capsules would be brilliant even if the actual weather is pretty much the same - I can pretend, right?

Marlene

Veteran

Ugh. I feel your pain. Today the rain started up. Now I know it will be a relentless stretch of gray, dreary, chilly rain until late spring. I was also thinking a pair of culottes would mix up the outfits a bit since nothing else seems even slightly interesting. But really, the best I could muster up was maybe a new pair of boots. Ugh.

Gaylene

Veteran

I'm with UmmLila in thinking you need to consider gauchos and culottes. One of my all-time favourite winter outfits a few decades ago was wearing wool gaucho-style skirts and pants with tall leather boots and cashmere pullovers. I swaggered around campus, cracking a metaphorical bola in that outfit.

The trick with gauchos or culottes, in my opinion, is to find YOUR personal sweet spot between the bottom of the knee and your lower calf. Hem the skirt or pant to that length, pull on a pair of tall leather boots, and start moving. On top, you can wear polo-necked sweaters, a silky blouse, a tweedy hunting-style jacket, a poncho-style sweater, a slouchy cardigan belted on the hips with a studded belt--the combinations are endless. The tall boots keep you warm and covered, the skirt or pants never drag in the slush or snow, and you are never tugging a skirt that is figting with your tights.

E

Veteran

I actually adore winter dressing & now live in a climate very similar to Suz's, albeit mine has more snow but slightly higher average temps (other side of the lake!). Honestly, I was sad when winter ended & wish it had lasted longer from a sartorial perspective. In addition to boots & skinnies, I wear wool full skirts w taller boots all winter; on the bitterly cold days I add silk long johns under my tights & knee high wool socks over them (and now I have a pair of wool tights & want to add a couple more for this upcoming winter, as they make a big difference!). Knee high boots work best, especially on windy days. My thighs found this combo way warmer than denim skinnies & boots anyway. And then there are jodphur-style wool trousers! Or now with culottes trending, you might find a pair of culottes too.

I also do a lot of blouse/cardigan layering, which lets me mix things up more. I have a few character-laden jumpers to wear with skinnies, different enough so it doesn't feel like I'm wearing the same piece over and over. I have several wool coat options (in different shapes & colours), so I'm not wearing the same outerwear every day. Oh and I have quite a few different wool hats to add variety, but that's probably easier to accomplish if you knit. Add in a few different scarves, and I can play with colour combinations enough to keep me happy for a far longer winter than I had.

I LOVE Gaylene's idea. I happen to have a pair of wide-legged wool EF trousers that hit a couple inches above the ankle. I think I might shorten them even more to pair with boots for this season. Also, I'm craving a pair of knickerbockers.

celia

Veteran

I was going to tell you about cullotes but see that you already thought about them
I also dread the winter dressing, although I try the mini wardrobes and other techniques learned in the forum it is just too depressing to dress for it. At a certain point (and this also happens in summer) I just dress whatever because I feel that nobody is looking at what the others dress anymore.

tulle

Veteran

For me, Autumn is a chance to get out my leather, mohair & other not-quite-warm-enough-for-Winter jackets & coats, and wrap big, creamy cashmere mufflers around my neck when things get really nippy. There are some pretty ones on sale at Ralph Lauren's website and others. (I have my eye on a deep pink one.) A new scarf in a luxurious pale neutral or rich color could stimulate your appetite for frosty weather without becoming a closet orphan.

Roxanna

Veteran

Helpful thread, Una - living in Toronto, I'm going to be going through the same thing. It's sparking another question in my mind that I will post about once I've thought it fully through...

Amy

(website)

Veteran

We don't get the snow that you do, but it's constantly grey and damp here for most of the year. The key to me not going crazy (sartorially, anyway) is color. Even if I'm wearing the same essential items, pants, sweater, coat, scarf, etc., a pop of color or an interesting pattern boosts my mood.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

How did I miss this until now? Crazy busy morning -- I apologize.

Anyway...Una, I am 100% with you, although fortunately not literally, yet, since it is about 30C here today and sticky humid. And I am LOVING it. As long as I can wear my summer whites and show some skin, I don't feel "encased," as you so aptly put it.

Anyway. Soon enough I will feel encased.

Like you, I actually truly ENJOY winter -- I love skating, hiking and snowshoeing and cross country skiing and doing all the "winter stuff" (including the drinking of mulled wine) and I am not against winter, per se. I just find it difficult from a fashion perspective.

But every year gets a bit better.

Last year I took my cue largely from you and got that casual jersey dress which I wore with tights and it was a really great addition.

This year, I'm taking yet another cue from you and adding legging-like trousers or even actual leggings (gasp!!) and TUNICS to my list of things to try. I might go for some OTK boots, too.

Finally, I refuse to give up the hunt until I find "my" guachos or culottes for winter. I looked last year and couldn't find what I wanted, but this year I am not taking no for an answer. I am going to get one pair of culottes and one pair of cropped ankle type pants with a pair of suitable boots to go with both.

I am also buying at least one new winter coat -- either a bright puffer or a fun plaid wool coat. I already got a range of hats/ scarves/ gloves in different colours last year and that helped.

A new, fun bag would also be a great addition.

And last but not least, I am going to try to do a more consistent job of the mini-seasonal dressing I've been recommending to others for a few years. It is like a toddler and toys. Put some away for a few weeks and they seem all the more appealing when you haul them out again.

Or so I hope.

Oh -- and January knits refresher?? The one that Angie recommends year after year. You can bet I will be scouring those sales.

Also, never underestimate the power of a mid-winter holiday. To a sunny clime. I have never enjoyed that luxury, but this year I may just indulge in it.

celia

Veteran

Suz, I haven't seen in stores yet but am curious about the cullotes from RW&Co that I added in the Finds.

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