Hi all, and to all I welcome!
We are officially in the depths of Winter Quarter: my google calendar is full (against my own will), Green library stacks are too full for comfort, and my lack of sleep is manifesting in unbelievably dark under eye bags. With these factors, I find it so easy to want to slip into something cozy and casual in the mornings. And don’t get me wrong - there is NO shame in this. However, I know myself. And I know that if this happens, there is no shot that I get up out of my cozy cozy bed.
But at the end of the day (or should I say, in the beginning of the day), I’m just a girl. And to have a productive, charged day in front of me, being proactive about what I wear each day is key to success. However, when times are tough, weather is wet, and the nights are cold, I find my options for what to wear are slimmer and slimmer. But instead of viewing this as an inhibitor to my creativity, I’ve started to view these restraints as a challenge to my wardrobe. Thus, this week’s article is all about my winter favorites and what I’ve been wearing!
SCARVES! Both mini and large.
If you’re a real one, you know that last year I posted an article regarding the rise of scarves. Be it mini or large, I think that scarves are a great way to spice up your outfit, keep you warm, add a touch of color, protect your hair, etc. etc. (the list could go on). Over winter break I actually thrifted a cheetah/animal print mini scarf that I’ve been wearing whenever my outfit is lacking a sense of color or shape, and I think it adds SO much.
2. Out with “going out tops,” and In with mini skirts
If you told me a year ago that I would be rocking a mini skirt with a plain old tank top to dinner parties or even to KSIG, I wouldn’t believe you. But today, I’m the BIGGEST advocate for mini skirts. After all, your legs can be your greatest accessory! Pair with a plain old t-shirt, a blouse, a sweater, or some loafers, and you got yourself an extremely versatile outfit that looks way more put together than you would think.
3. Button Ups
You’ve heard of the white linen button-ups and the infamous Zara “shackets,” but I think there is nothing better than a well-fitted button up top (on both men and women). I think of these as an elevated cardigan, perfectly worn with jeans, jorts, or skirts. They flatter your body, are extremely comfortable, and again make you look WAY more put together than you think.
4. Fitted leather, buckled jackets
You’ve seen the bomber jackets and oversized leather car jackets come and go, but I really believe there is something special about a nice, fitted leather jacket with zipper and buckles for days. It gives you the warmth you need on a night out, or just during a cold day, you have endless pockets to put your items, it gives you the edgy look you’re missing, and looks SO cool while doing it.
5. FUR! FUR! FUR!
I can’t speak for everyone, but I’m a big advocate for faux fur. Something about that “mob wife” look that I just LOVE. It gives elegant, classy, big and bold, and paired with literally anything you automatically feel cool. I feel like fur (and SJP/Carrie Bradshaw) kind of speaks for itself.
6. Animal Print
Tangential to fur, I feel like animal print this season is a neutral. It gives you the spice you need, elevates your look, gives you similar edge like leather jackets, and makes you look so chic. I’ve been LOVING animal print recently, but I will say it's extremely easy to look a bit tacky. Some tips for finding animal print: look for smaller prints, look for something fitted, and ask yourself, will this be the center of my outfit? Or a neutral.
7. Mesh and Lace
If you went to Berlin this past weekend at KSIG, it was mesh and lace galore! Something about the openness, see-throughness, that makes a regular tank top look so sexy, chic, and equally crazy at the same time. You get the comfort of wearing the outline of a normal t-shirt, tank top, or long sleeve, but the element of sheerness makes for whatever you want to make of it!
Now, these are only 7 of MANY favorites that I have, but I thought this bunch would resonate the most with the largest group of people. However, note that these are simply my own opinion, things that I myself am wearing, and if you don’t like them, then don’t wear them!
I hope this gives you encouragement to wake up, throw on that outfit you’ve been too scared to wear, and seize the day! More importantly, I hope you think about me when you wear these.
Fashionably,
Chloe