I haven't been too drawn to the whole culotte silhouette, but Aritizia has some awesome looking cropped semi-wide-legged pants (less volume and longer inseam than a culotte)) that are gorgeous. If I find the ultimate mid-calf boot, I think that will be my new work look for winter. I'm headed there tomorrow hopefully, because their sweater and cardigan/wrap selection is also awesome. I am worried about the boots though - thinking that this mid-calf block-heeled coolness I am envisioning might be too ahead of the curve for Wpg. Have yet to see any in stores.

Cecelia, those look great!! I will have to check them out -- thank you.

And off to peruse Aritizia's offerings as well.

This past weekend we attended the annual India Festival. With your long, cold and dark winters, you must miss sparkle, bright colors and light. I suggest that you try to generate as much bright, light, and sparkle as possible, not only for yourself but for those who see you. Does anyone make a winter version of gorgeous Indian dress? If not, they should.

I was also going to suggest wool cropped pants with high boots under them.
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/371758144219259573/

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/371758144219259597/

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/371758144217090278/

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/60657926206840245/

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/340092209336813992/

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/95068242110734051/

Ignore the top, note the stompy Docs
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/534943261963011102/

For me culottes with tall boots were style savers last winter. Nothing like them to break up the skinny-boots routine which gets stale pretty fast if this is all you can wear every day of the week for 6 months.
We did not have much summer this year: we had 2 weeks of hot weather in total if even that. So no, I don't long for winter yet.
I like winter but I don't like when it is too long. 3 months I am fine with. 6 months - just too much for me.

That is just not right Una! I'm with you on the OTK boots...go for it. I have some fleece-lined, platform stompy Winter ones that I live in when/if it gets cold enough here. They're about all I wore in Europe for Christmas holidays several years back, because Christmas markets and old churches are freezing cold. Not Alaska cold, but in-your-bones cold nonetheless.

I have to decide whether this is the tear smhid my first tall boots, or just do more with higher- shaft ankle or mid- calf boots. I am probably a gaucho girl at heart and so luxe wool or tweedy culottes might work. Last year I felt wool ankle pants with bare ankles and oxfords or loafers were too seasonally confused, so I have to have either culottes or riding skirt type bottoms and warm tights with tall or mid calf
boots.

Wow! I like winter but not this early. That is quite a slap in the face. I like these silhouettes below.

I'm also seeing signs of winter approaching despite the 90 degree F weather we are expecting today. The days are shorter and it's pitch black when I head out for my walk in the morning.

My winter game plan is mixing in some bright fun colored tights and shoes, plus layers. Snow is snow, and cold is cold, there aren't many ways to deal with it, you need to cover up. I'm not buying OTK boots but I have some nice tall boots that I like to wear with my sweater dresses and colorful tights. Bright colorful earrings or a handbag also make me feel happy on a dreary cold day. having a winter coat in a color also helps, for example, I have a red down coat that always feels refreshing to wear on a dreary day.

I LOVE the idea of the culotte style or wide short cropped pants with boots under them for you Una - also I love the idea of lots of interesting color and texture for you (and myself) for winter. I may not have much time to shop/add to my wardrobe, but if I did, that's a direction I think I'd take this year.

Okay, so thinking about this, there are a couple of things.

#1. Will you honestly wear skirts/dresses in the winter? I won't. Fall and spring, yes, but not once there is snow regularly on the ground.

#2. Long shorts, culottes, etc. see #1 above. Worn without tights = frostbite.

#3 ankle pants. See #2 above.

That leaves true long pants. Skinnies, straight legs, boot cut and wide legs.

Wide legs are not great with snow, and neither, really are bootcut unless the bootcut is more baby boot in nature and can be stuffed into snow boots.

I have been thinking about this for a while and realized this is why I get bored in the winter. The cold weather can just stay away for a while longer!

I am sticking to my tried and true pant uniform bottoms and investing in more interesting tops and perhaps shoes as I carry my shoes into work.

Thistle, I actually wear dresses more in winter, because there's no hem dragging issues! Skirts less because of coordinating the outfits. I think culottes with OTK boots would be a good possibility - remember, I own down over skirts for walking outside too!

As far as pants, I wear only skinnies when it's snowy. Last winter we lucked out and didn't get snow till late so I was able to use my plaid wool wide legs a lot. I plan to break those out in a week or two!

Fair enough. I had forgotten you had the down over skirt!

I just detest tights. I have tried so many different brands and kinds, sizing up to the point I have elephant ankles, and I just can't get them right. I have thought about trying inexpensive leggings so they aren't super thick as they will just be in boots anyway.

So. Not. Ready. For. Winter.

Thistle, if you're wearing boots, I often do leggings and socks instead of tights, or sometimes socks inside my tights, which keep my feet warmer. Tights are an unholy PITA, but I can't live without them in winter.