WINTER FASHION: 'CUTE' OR 'BOOT'
It's yours truly, Dolls, with another seasonal Shopaholic Guide. Winter may be cold but it's not cold enough for fashion to be deemed irrelevant or unimportant. There are many Winter trends and spoiler alert Dolls, there are more that I think should be 'boot'ed than there are trends that I find 'cute'!
Get ready, for the brutal 'cute' or 'boot' that may or may not be the news you were hoping to hear, Dolls.
The first Shopaholic-approved 'cute' of Winter fashion is critical because of its practicality and its aesthetic. Layering is a tactic that my mum always used with me to keep me warm. My childhood unfolded in a small, mountain town and the easiest, most foolproof way to live was through the use of layering because after playtime when we'd get hot, we still had singlets and long sleeves that would protect us from the bitterness of Wintertime outdoors. Not only is layering effective against Winter weather, but it's an opportunity to showcase your Shopaholic skill in colour combinations and fabric pairing. My number 1 layering obsession is cardigans. They achieve a dainty and elegant look without being too bold and overpowering over other features of an outfit.
I hate to break it to you Dolls but there is no justifiable excuse to wear leg warmers. They're daggy, baggy and a total draggy. I've always thought that leg warmers look like butchered sweatpants that society has shockingly deemed acceptable to wear out of the house. They're not. Ever. I can forgive you for a first offence, Shopaholics, but if I catch you twice, I'll personally 'boot' you and your leg-warmer-wearing body to the curb!
Chestnut, vanilla, caramel and oak are the heavenly-named shades that are at the heart of Winter. Honestly, there are a lot of hairstyles and haircuts that look cute initially but quickly grow (no-pun-intended) 'worthy' long-term. Balayage hair is the one story that's a consistent fairytale in the Winter months. The best thing about balayage compared to highlights is that the angst of worrying about frequent root touch-ups is almost non-existent. Of course, the art of gently and unnoticeably merging two colours together does exist but it takes a much longer time for the merge to appear as a stark contrast than it does for highlights to grow out. It's a 'cute' from me!
I understand that keeping your feet warm in Winter is critical. Dolls, Princess Diana made the sporty heroin look as easy as a Sunday morning. But, Dolls, there was only room for one Princess Diana in the Shopaholic multi-verse and if you try to re-create this to-die-for look, I promise you that you won't. Wearing sneakers is for the gym and recreational occasions. It's not for pairing with jeans and expecting the outcome to be 'cute'. The world needs to hear that sneaker-orientated outfits are a 'boot'.
Having a fresh manicure is one of those rare, precious wonders that never goes out of style, Dolls. I find that an almond shape is the most versatile but... When choosing darker winter colours or French manicures, you can opt for a ballerina shape as it will create a subtle level of flare and intrigue.
'Cute' should never mean boring, Dolls'.
The final item on my 'boot' checklist, Shopaholics, is beanies. Yes, they're comforting, and yes, they're effective but not so much so that they're acceptable to be seen leaving the house in... Not to take out the rubbish, not to walk your dog, not to pick up the paper. Nada, zilch, never, Dolls! My pro tip for keeping your head warm is to wear your golden locks down. Pinning it up in a ponytail or bun will freeze the nape of your neck so a simple plait, a headband or some decorative clips to accentuate a simple hair-do will be your friend.
So, Dolls, I've either left you surprised, relieved or heartbroken and to save you from your fashion embarrassment, I'm here to tell you that everybody makes mistakes, Dolls but it's how we react to them that allows growth and in this sense, I'm talking balayage-loving, no-nail-clipping, sweet, pure, Shopaholic growth.
Kisses,
COS x
I enjoyed reading this! Fun and clever with some great advice. fashion embarrassment- ha! looking back, I’ve been there and probably will be again. But it’s true, what you say… everyone makes “mistakes“ and I can grow in my fashion knowledge and have fun with it.
Dressing each day is a necessary choice of what to wear. But it should be a peaceful process. Dress and live! Getting to experiment with fashion is fun. Your post got me smiling and thinking!