Winter shopping - what should I look for? - YouLookFab Forum

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Winter shopping - what should I look for?

Sal

Veteran

Hi All

I have brought down my winter clothes from storage and am looking at filling the gaps at the moment. I will be looking for five-six additions...I am more looking for general ideas but finds or pics are helpful too to point me in the right direction.

A pair of boots (flat) - black or cognac? - currently own four pairs in finds below.
Pair jeans/pants (smart casual- casual work) - currently four pairs of jeans (white Mom style, mid wash straight, dark flare and blue skinnies) two winter-ish wide legs, and three black pairs of varying styles (one relaxed, one ankle, one skinny).
A sweater - that works with jeans mostly- thinking cream or tomato
Beanie/wool hat (probably in a muted pink to match my puffer)
Something else ????? What do you wish I would wear?

The finds below represent my existing pieces in these categories for winter ( or trans seasonal pieces). Our climate is maybe like North California - it does go to Zero C but rarely - no snow - but quite a lot of rain. My life is relatively casual and so is work - I have plenty of dressy options for nights out.

A few notes:
- Blue skinnies on their last legs ( no find)
- I also have a plain black cotton sweater purchased to wear with my four A line or full skirts (no find)
- one pair of existing boots are black, one ink blue (the black moto style ones are strictly work now - for days I am in our workshop they work really well)
- I have other flats, blouses, jackets, dresses, skirts etc

Many of you know my style - but for those who don't - I like a relaxed natural elegant style - maybe adding some bold touches. Pattern and texture are great. Colour palette I like is varied - I do enjoy black but am trying to rely less on it. I live in New Zealand.

I am not a minimalist but I am not trying to grow my wardrobe either..... I would not buy jeans or boots online from the US as returns are too hard.... and it usually works out price prohibitive.

This weekend I have a few pieces I might let go of and I will post some photos. A wool coat, a thrifted dress I think was a mistake, and a couple of others...

Thanks in advance - all ideas are welcomed!!

Sally

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Shopping

18 replies

Latest reply was from Alicewonderland

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Always room for another dress

Sal

Veteran

I am thinking of a dress........needs to be swishy to wear with my tall boots.

The sweater is the most urgent.....the others can all wait until I find the perfect addition....

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

Do you have anything boldly patterned for winter? Those are such a statement part of your summer wardrobe.

Sal

Veteran

Not much Jenn - I think the wildcard/other needs to be patterned....and either a swishy dress or a cool topper (longer).

- a couple of scarves
- a blouse (below)
- the culottes
- two trans-seasonal skirts that would work April and May and again come September but not in our coldest months (one below).

I did look at my winter items and them a bit gloomy- but I am also happy in winter to wear all black with my faux fur...

Brooklyn

Veteran

How about a metallic or lurex knit? They seem to be trending here. And they have a bit of a 70s vibe. I have a short sleeve version and sleeveless version and I am on the lookout for a long sleeve version. Witchery had one I liked but it sold out quickly.

In boots I like the lace up ankle boots that are all over the Veronika Maine edit. Does that appeal? Zara had some but they sold out in 2 seconds. I am still thinking about a Wittner version.

Or you might prefer high shaft animal print ankle boots? Seeing them around a lot too. And they have that bold aspect. Zara and lots of other retailers have those.

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Monki high neck glitter top in copper

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Sal

Veteran

I was thinking of lace up ankle boots......maybe in black? Could do animal print too but since I have one nubuck and one suede pair already I was thinking leather for longevity....

Love a bit of lurex too....

I will message you Brooklyn as I am having a weekend in Sydney - 2-4th June - for a good friend's birthday - but if it lines up maybe we could catch up.

Brooklyn

Veteran

Sounds good Sally!

The animal print boots I’ve seen are printed leather. These are the Zara versions but I’m sure I’ve seen others. I like them too but I find printed shoes a little bit lacking in versatility for me as I often wear patterned skirts.

Wittner have lace up boots in black. The toe is very pointy. I know that’s Western trend but personally I would prefer more square. And Styletread have them in Django & Juliette. They were the ones I had my eye on but they are sold out in my size already

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Sal

Veteran

Here are a couple of the lace ups I like...some of these may appeal to you Brooklyn.....Chaos and Harmony are very popular here - not sure what their Australian presence is.

https://www.merchant1948.co.nz/masonic-ankle-boot

https://www.styletread.co.nz/m.....ather.html

https://www.mode.co.nz/women/s.....black.html

https://chaosandharmonyshoes.c.....boot-black

Plus one pair of non-lace ups....

https://www.mode.co.nz/women/s.....black.html

I want boots that would work with cropped pants and wide legs and skirts - I find most boots work with jeans.

Brooklyn

Veteran

Thanks Sally, that bronze tip pair is pretty flash! I hadn’t heard of Chaos and Harmony.

I’m after a pair with a high shaft and mid heel (around 6 cm). A bit steampunk. Here is a photo of the Wittner pair, which is pretty close to what I want.

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Suz

(website)

Veteran

Oooh. Fun to see NZ winter fashions...

I love the idea of patterned footwear for you, Sally, especially in some kind of leopard or cheetah. But I take your point about longevity. Maybe a scarf with a pattern like that to mix and match with your black and tan/ camel items.

A winter dress is kind of a no-brainer for you. I also think it might make sense, if the skinnies are on their last legs, to consider what style of jean you'd like to make your new "essential" jean.

Anonymous

Yes a fun dress, and more tall boots! Jealous of your climate

Sal

Veteran

Love those boots for you Brooklyn! Gorgeous with your midi skirts.

Thanks Suz. My best jeans are typically straight. I won’t get another pair of skinnies - I have a black pair of skinny pants and some Ponte pants - both useful for wet days and layering under rain boots. I was considering some wide leg cropped jeans, or maybe some tweed ankle pants or similar? Boots here are expensive usually so I think ones that can be polished and touched up are easier to maintain than metallic or printed- especially since I have suede and nubuck already which I avoid for some occasions and weather.

I could do knee high boots in black Suntiger..... and I do love dresses. I have three winter dresses but one is very va va voom so it doesn’t get out much.....yes I think our mid range weather is probably easy to dress for. But we do get rain and FOG!!

The Cat

Veteran

How about a knitwear dress, knee-length or midi? Can be styled casually with boots or booties, warm hosiery, blazers, coatigans, big shawls, a fedora, leather or suede belts ... Or more elegant with fine hosiery, heels, jewellery, metallic belts ... Or a combination of these styles.

And how about a cable-knit sweater to wear with your jeans?

Colour suggestions: Offwhite, beige, camel, tan, toffee, etc. would look harmonious with your colouring and can easily be combined with many other colours

rachylou

Veteran

I vote for a red sweater!

Also: I like your question, ‘what would you like to see me wear?’ Dangerous, but revealing... and on that note, I’d like to see you wear a cobalt blue sweater

Brooklyn

Veteran

Yes, I can see you in cobalt blue. Country Road has some cobalt knitwear

Here is another example of a metallic sweater from ASOS. Plus a midi skirt you might like. I got the same skirt in teal. Fabric is quite thick.

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Bijou

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My vote is for a fun faux fur jacket, I am enjoying my new leopard print one.

Sal

Veteran

Thanks The Cat - I do love cable knit sweaters especially in cream. I also love sweater dresses but their season is a bit short here- so they are not prevalent to buy.

Rachy - I don’t own anything cobalt except my 40th dress. I went off it a bit for a couple of years - on me with black it doesn’t quite work - but with camel or denim it is great.

Love that sweater Brooklyn - might take a further look!!

Bijou - I tried on a faux fur this week but left it as it was grey. I do have one but it is old and very large. I also have a vintage real fur short jacket which I will try on again- Sydney 1980 my Mum added it. I do love the faux fur trend !!

Brooklyn

Alicewonderland

Veteran

Consider a cashmere turtleneck sweater (maybe thrifted or vintage). In the tomato red or cream colors you mentioned.
I have similar climate to yours and of all my sweaters, these are my favorite and most worn. Very versatile and elegant. They would go great with all your jean shapes.