How to stay warm and look great
How do I stay warm AND look great?
Now its legitimately freezing, its time to share my style hacks to staying warm without constant shivering over heating and getting all gross and sweaty – whilst looking and feeling great…. Exhausting right?
Everyone talks about layering, which is part of the warmth hack, but I have a few other alternatives up my sleeves for you. Clothing length plays a huge part, I see so many women walking round with their ankles and wrists out, trainer socks and no gloves are an immediate one-way ticket to goosebumps. Also, simple things like tucking in tops will keep your lower back warm and scarves will stop any wind getting to your chest and making you shiver… its simple stuff but VERY effective.
Staying warm doesn’t sound sexy does it? Especially when you throw in words like thermals, cardigans and roll necks but stick with me here. Plus, if you are busty, petite, tall, plus size how do you get round layering without drowning yourself in fabric or adding to areas you feel conscious of?
How do I know that my clothes will keep me warm? What to avoid.
Fit is SO important with staying warm. We want every inch of our skin covered to keep away the cold with minimal movement from the fabrics so that we stay cozy. Avoid ¾ sleeves, 7/8th trousers, rips in your beloved jeans, holes, netting and most importantly synthetic fabrics. The synthetic fabrics don’t keep us as warm as natural fabrics do and if you go from cold to hot you are more likely to flush/sweat compared to wearing cotton, viscose, rayon, silks and wool.
Its exclusively boots season now – try and cover your ankles, knee boots are the warmest and smart for work and going out out but not everyone’s vibe. Cowboy boots are having a bit moment right now as are chunky biker boots. If you want to wear a heel, cover your toes and wear leather so the weather doesn’t ruin the suede and if you love trainers – try and go for high tops for added warmth and easy style.
Brands like Me+ Em cover petite, tall and go up to a UK 16/18 so a really reliable brand. I recommend them for both work and play. Their wide leg trousers are next level and great for layering and also work with boots/trainers or heels. Their T-shirts are all-natural cotton and their knitwear is wool so extra warmth there too.
My top tips on layering to keep you cosy and look fabulous
Layering, the holy grail of warmth but something that trips a lot of people up. The trick is to start fitted close to your skin and get slightly looser with each layer. If you start chunky and get lighter with your layers it will do all kinds of crazy stuff with your proportions.
If you are busty or have strong shoulders, don’t forget to create the illusion of a lower neckline with the layering pieces you choose, for example, thermal vest, roll neck, v neck cardi and long necklace and then your choice of jacket eg blazer, leather etc. The v neck and necklace will open up your shape and stop your girls and shoulders becoming center of attention.
Petite gals, layers must cinch in at the waist and be no longer than the top of your hips because they will totally hide you, shorten your legs and take your shape away.
My layering formulas
Top half –
Thermal vest + long sleeve top + knitwear (v neck for busty gals) jacket + coat oh + obvs a hat.
Bottom half –
Thermal socks + tights + thermal leggings( preferably leather look for chic style if they can be seen) + either wide leg trouser to fit over thermals or maxi length skirt/dress + high length boots/trainers
What layering items do I need to keep the cold away?
Ok so you now know its about fit, length, fabric and layering but what actual pieces do you need? I recommend making a mini winter capsule collection that you can reach to as soon as weather like this kicks in.
The easy pieces are a couple of hats to keep your todd warm, one block colour and one printed. A couple of pairs of gloves, Id go knit for daytime, leather esque for nighttime and as many massive wool scarves as you can fit in your draw. The bigger the better – more is more, the list goes on. Don’t forget sexy warm socks that can also double up with your pjs for cold nights whilst your partner is out on Christmas drinks and you have to warm your bed up solo.
Next up a decent winter coat – once you understand your body shape, it will be much easier to choose a coat that makes you feel amazing as well as cost per wear being utalised. For example, if you have a curve, choose a coat that moves with your shape and if you have a straight shape, you want edgy lines. If you aren’t sure of your shape check out my eBook here to find yours. I recommend treating yourself to a gilet that you can wear under your coat to give your body extra warmth – it honestly makes SUCH a difference.
Thermals – more on these beauties below
Boots/trainers – next week’s blog.
Tops – you need a couple of long sleeved jersey roll necks that are tight fitting so that you can tuck them into your bottom half or even as sexy as it sounds – your knicker line! I really rate bodysuits too, perhaps even more than normal tops but they are harder to come by.
Knitwear – is really hard to get right. I would start with making sure the colour you choose suits your complexion. Find out how to know what suits you here. Then, generally speaking, avoid the oversized baggy styles because they will do nothing for anyone. Choose finer knitwear with open necklines if you are petite or have a defined waist. I recommend no longer than the top of the hip to pretty much any body shape.
Don’t forget you can pin knitwear to the correct length or cinch in with a belt. Jumpers and chunky cardis are perfect for layering over skirts and dresses for another layer as well as your trousers so don’t forget to experiment with some of your summer dresses!
My top-rated thermals
Time for some sexy thermal chat – I have recently had a mini splurge in Calzedonia on two thermal bottoms and 2 pairs of patterned tights and I am over the moon with them all! SO chuffed it inspired this blog!
My firm faves are these flares, I did feel kinda 90s in them as I christened them with my converse, leopard print coat and purple bobble hat but I was totally ok with that. I am currently wearing them with a vest, long sleeve roll neck and green jumper and feel fab and cosy. The thermal inside is so warm, it feels like when you warm your clothes on a radiator, but you don’t have to pre warm them. What a result!
I also have the classic thermal leggings to cycle around it because if you haven’t seen my stories on insta, I either look like a stylist or a mess cycling and am trying to up my cycle chic whilst staying warm and so far, so good!
I tried on the sparkly leggings and LOVED them, I nearly bought them but decided to see how I get on with the others first and so far so good. The next step is the wash so I will keep you posted. Fingers crossed. I would wear these for brunches, dinners out and date nights or when I’m with clients. The other pairs I would wear all day every day. I am a size 8/10 and 5’8 and am wearing the small.
I also really really love these leopard and star sign tights. I wear an ML in these to avoid the saggy crotch as there is actually nothing worse and seeing someone in a lovely outfit pull up tights ruins the whole vibe. The reason printed tights are so useful to have is that they break up the intensity of a plain black tight which can be too high contrasting next to a hemline sometimes because of the differences in colour.
Don’t forget you can browse my collection here
There we have it – my secret to staying stylish and warm throughout the duration of the winter months. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to reach out here, I’d love to hear from you.
Happy Layering!
Sian x
Personal Stylist based in London. I am a colour analysis expert, wardrobe stylist, and personal shopper. I specialise in body shape style, wardrobe edits, and personal shopping for clients. I am also a virtual stylist. I do online styling, online style advice, virtual body shape workshops, virtual wardrobe edits and online personal shopping. Fashion Stylist in London. Personal Stylist in London. London stylist. Stylist in London, London Stylist