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Done with winter

Irina

Veteran

Winter here is finally over. I’m so happy! Physically and mentally , it is the hardest time of the year for all of us in cold climate. Time to reflect on it.

My winter wardrobe served me well, functional if uninspired. And I felt bored with it. Here are some examples of what I wore aside from cashmere turtlenecks and fleece sweatpants for gym and pool.

I do have some light color sweaters and wore them, too. But 3,5 months of the uniform of jeans + sweater + puffer coat+ boots is just too much. I wore wool pants a couple of times for concerts but didn’t want to wear it just to run an errand. None of my puffers are not black this season , the long one looks more grey in the photos but IRL it is milky teal or aqua. I also have a short puffer that is only for car rides on weekends.

Looking back on all of it, I can’t help but feel disappointed. Again. I don’t know how to enjoy my minimal style in a winter! All hope are for the spring.

Thank for looking.

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27 replies

Latest reply was from Irina

Lisa

Veteran

Beautiful outfits with neutral colors. I like the silhouettes and layering you have done here, but I can understand the boredom with dressing with the same outfit formula everyday for a season. When I lived in a colder climate and had longer winters, I tried to mix things up with non neutrals, prints, and scarves to add pattern and visual interest to the same formula outfits of boots, sweater, jeans.

Kate

Veteran

Actually, I think your winter style is beautiful. Mine is very similar, although are winters are much shorter than yours.

Because I do run cold, I have a large wardrobe of outwear in the colors and oversized and/or architectural fits that most appeal to me. That means no black, but browns, navy, mustard, plum and various shades of green. I'm always sad when the season ends, and bemoan the advent of our lengthy hot summers. It's my summer wardrobe that bores me witless.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Irina, I LOVE the salty streaks in your hair! Modern and compelling

Your minimal neutral solid style is KILLER. Please don't be disappointed! YOU ROCKED IT!!! I think what's getting you down is the bitter and looooooooong Winterness of it all. Thank goodness that's done!

My favourite looks are the light neutrals, high contrast, and the patterns - so #3, #4 and #8. Gorgeous on pretty you!

Irina

Veteran

Lisa, thanks! I can’t use scarves much with puffers, too much bulk around the neck. And what doesn’t help either, I’m not into patterns much.

Kate, thanks! I gave up on oversized winter coats. I made some mistakes with it - although I adore the look, I’m too cold in them and need something more fitted to survive. I run cold always. Can we switch places? I love, love, love summer clothes. One and done!

Angie! Thank you so much! Light is awful in that room especially in the winter. Outfit #3 is navy, both cardigan and jeans are navy. It was a monochrome kind of day

Suz

(website)

Veteran

You look beautiful! I love your hair -- dramatic and adds contrast! I also love your light teal puffer (what kind is it?) and the proportions you have going on here. For me, these outfits are absolutely not boring, but I understand completely why you would feel bored by the end of such a long winter -- it just becomes too much. This is why my own style isn't minimal, I think! I need to add some pattern and more colour mainly for the variety of it -- though I try to do it a bit with texture, too -- something you are more expert at!

My favourites here are 3, 4, 8 and 9!

And I love your kitty.

Dee

Veteran

Yes, winters in Canada can be long, and I found this winter to be especially wintery, however I think your winter style looks very modern and sophisticated. You've got some nice looking puffers. Love the colour blocking on the cardigan in photo 3 and you know your style proportions so well. I'm looking forward to changing things up too, with spring finally on its way.

Irina

Veteran

Suz, thank you! Keeper is a 15 years old tuxedo cat, my baby
The teal puffer is from Aritzia. The previous winter was mild and I hardly wore it but it came handy this year.

Dee, thanks! I missed buying this cardigan from COS when they were selling it a few years back. Found it on Poshmark!

LJP

Veteran

Dee said it perfectly .

At least your winter is done . It's still hanging on here for dear life, ugh. I found it a long and difficult winter myself, and my uniform was sweat pants/sweatshirts at home and jeans/cashmear crew necks for running errands . I don't think there was a single social activity other than around the holidays . About a month ago I bought 2 heavy cotton "boyfriend fit" crew neck sweaters from the Gap : one in red and the other in bright blue. They are saving my sanity right now. Anyways - your style remains so enviable and while it may feel boring, it looks classic yet very modern. Love your hair too. One of the women I work with has that Aritzia Super Puff in that colour and I admire it every time I see it.

My two tuxedos Oliver and Bandit say hello to Keeper

Helena

Veteran

Stunning! And what is you lippie colour? It's so pretty!!

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Oh Irina I think you look elegant and beautiful. I do understand though, our winters are not cold but can be very wet and dark and I wear mock-necks with knitwear over for about 3 months also. So not much change of silhouette.
I adore pic 3 especially, so beautiful with the pink at the bottom, that’s my favourite.

Irina

Veteran

Lisa, thanks! I had a short break in January when we traveled to Curaçao. I so enjoyed sun, beach and my summer clothes. Kept me going.

Helena, thanks! This was a set from Charlotte Tilbury -
Mini Pillow Talk Lipstick & Liner Set
Sadly, I somehow lost. I should repurchase it, very handy to carry in a purse.

Jeni NZ, thank you for your kind words!

Everyone, who made such nice comments on my hair - thank you very much, really appreciate it. I struggle with it especially in a winter. I decided to grow it out a bit and concentrate on a new maintenance regime to combat possible damage from chemicals in pool water.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

You are far too hard on yourself - you look absolutely stunning with a clear style and lots of pizzaz. Your hair suits you beautifully, your silhouettes are excellent and I like the subtle pops of white and pink. But onto spring indeed!

Irina

Veteran

Jaime, thanks! I so love your hair! Major envy here.

Sal

Veteran

I agree you look great. But I can understand that it is fatiguing at the end of winter- and you are ready for a change.

With your minimalist style I think colour tweaks or texture are the best ways to get variety. Or I could see the right striped knitwear too - monochrome maybe?

Like Jenni we don’t get very cold but some years are dark and damp and it can be challenging.

Bijou

Veteran

Wow, your winter style makes me wish for snow - you look amazing. I live in a Mediterranean climate, so no snow or temps below OC even in the height of winter. I'm glad you are getting into your Spring weather.

I have the opposite problem - an endless summer, although now our weather is perfect, but from Dec to Feb we will get days in a row where the top temperature is over 40C (or 104F) and it wears us down, thank goodness for aircon and summer nights are beautiful. I get a bit bored with my summer clothes and enjoy being able to wear light layers when the weather eventually cools down.

Star (Lise)

Veteran

You always manage to achieve your goal of modern minimalist. To get style goals right in the depths of winter is quite something in my book. I too get super bored of turtlenecks and puffers for so many months. #4 is my favourite.

pirouette

Veteran

I love your style it doesn’t look boring although I understand it feels boring to you. your hair and make up are fabulous . I am like you I don’t like pattern and wear a very neutral palette. Our weather isn’t as cold as yours but it is still cold and wet and this is for 9 to 10 months of the year so I wear jeans boots jumpers and boots most of the year. In our summer the temperatures aren’t great so jeans loafers and light jumpers and light puffer jackets. I get bored but I buy lots of different coats and boots so at least I have some variation even if it’s only me that sees it. I wear snoods instead of scarves as I find them easier with puffers as they fit closely and don’t cause bulk so I can zip up the coats and jackets. Also having nice bags and gloves add a bit of variety.

Helena

Veteran

Thanks Irina, I guess that one is popular for a reason! So natural and flattering.

Irina

Veteran

Sal, thanks! I don’t know what it is actually but I so have a couple of striped sweaters and I rarely wear them. Maybe I’m so used to solid colors that I forget about them?
Bijou, oh, thank you so much! I was born and lived half of my life in a costal town where summers are very hot and sea water is warm to swim at least 3 months a year. I miss it. I have high tolerance to heat but not to cold. But I understand, heat waves in a summer can be draining.

Star, thanks! #4 is my favorite, too
pirouette, thanks. Your weather sound hmmm, challenging
I do have some variety of styles for spring/fall in my outwear but with our winters, functionality takes over style. You are so right about accessories. At the end of the winter I finally found a new pair of boots and cashmere hat in dark teal. A new bag would be nice, too

SarahD8

Veteran

Agree with others that you look great, but understand that months of cold and dark and unchanging silhouettes get wearying.

I don't want you to feel disappointed next year! I wonder if it would be worth it to:
1) take a closer look at the winter outfits you felt best in and figure out how to expand/extend their formulas
and/or
2) take a look at the summer outfits you like best and figure out how to translate them into colder weather looks

I notice that your outfits in #3 and #4 both feature a strip of lighter value and/or color around waist level. I think in #3 the garment is color blocked and in #4 it's the hem of a layered shirt peeking out. I wonder if having that interest away from your face makes the color/contrast feel a little less overwhelming? Maybe a formula to explore?

LJP

Veteran

Btw - that patch pocket cardigan is great! I never think to wear my cardigans much as I'm not much of a layer-er, but this is a nice change from a basic sweater.

Irina

Veteran

SarahD8, thanks! I prefer my clothes to fit loose, with movement, volume and shapes. I can’t do it in the winter- have to keep layers streamlined and close to the body to trap heat and fit nicely under coats. The resulting silhouette stays the same despite wearing different garments. Hence, boring.

slim cat

Veteran

You have a great style - perfect for cold weather! I have short/mild winter and wear limited looks for simplicity - admire your looks!

Irina

Veteran

Lisa, added these two cardigans - COS patch pockets and a dak grey cropped from Hudson. I bought both in Poshmark, the Hudson was with tags on. I’m really trying to add variety to my knits.

Slim cat, thank you.

Ket

Veteran

Your style is just so beautiful! And your hair is stunning!!! Also love seeing your lovely cat

Feeling you on winter. I live in the mountains. Our winter is from Nov through May/June. We do have abundant sunshine which helps immensely. it’s still a long time, especially since snow lasts through at least May.

I get through winter by mixing in colors, metallics, and prints. Adding texture from various and different fabrics. Mixing up my knitted sweaters and scarves. Dawning turbans and headscarves. Mixing up my makeup looks. I love pairing different blouses under my sweaters/cardigans for more texture and interest. I still keep outfits to 1 print or 1-2 colors with a neutral, but some color helps.

Another helpful thing I pull out are silk, wool, or fleece tights and fleece leggings. Easy to layer under clothes for extra warmth so long as the item isn’t body con. Not sure if that’s an option for you, so just mentioning it. I typically wear fleece tights/leggings on their own, but I don’t walk for commuting, and our temps are a bit more forgiving. (Roughly -5C to 8C most winters.)

sand dollar

Do you mind sharing where your boots are from? I love them...

Irina

Veteran

Ket, thanks!

Sand dollar, #2-4 these are old Chelsea boots from Louise et cie, #5-6 these are 2 years old faux fur lined Toteme boots.