Posts Tagged ‘warmth’

learning to layer

Cooler mornings that morph into warm afternoons can be the cause of wardrobe woes at this time of year.  Being ‘in-between’ seasons will have many of us dressing too warm for the afternoons’  little rays of sunshine or feeling frigid with cold in the morning while we anticipate the later thaw. 

Layering is the key!  Learning to layer is about mixing textures and color to acheive a comfortable body temperature and not look like ‘the michelin man’ – a large comfy marshmallow!    So, i am going to add layers over the coming blogs to help you transition through autumn and into your winter wardrobe wishlist.

Sign in on the front page and i will take you through the guidelines to layering – adding one item of clothing at a time.  You may have some items already in your wardrobe or you may need to shop occasionally, but once you start learning the principals you will find this skill very valuable both in terms of wearing what you have in your wardrobe more often (cost effective) but also by creating interest and discovering your own personal style.

karen

now you see them, no you dont!

When you reveal your skin through your clothing it should be planned not flashed like a wardrobe malfunction.  Catching a glimpse of someones’ bare leg above the top of a knee-high stocking is not a pretty nor sexy sight.  These practical items are used very effectively to line our feet from the inside of our shoes or boots preventing rubbing and blisters – you have to love them for that!  BUT … they are not meant to be exposed at the point where they are finished doing their job.

When wearing a skirt, whether it be long or short, with a split or otherwise for ease of movement, then wearing a full-length hose or tight is the one and only option.  To wear a knee-high maybe a budget necessity but it that is the case then make sure the ‘end’ finishes inside the boot or shoe you are wearing. To do anything else is just plain unflattering and ugly.  

Unless you intend for your short hose to be seen – then make them a statement! 

Ladies put your best foot forward and make sure it is well covered!

these boots are made for walking …

A winter ‘must-have’, ‘no-brainer’ is the boot.  There is a huge variety available in many colors, styles, heel-height and genre but by far the most versatile is the riding boot.  Dress them up or wear them in a variety of casual looks they are the boot that you should invest in (ie. buy the most expensive you can afford).  When you purchase a quality product and you look after them ie keep them clean and well heeled, they should last you 3 – 5 yrs.

When buying a riding boot they need to fit real snuggly and the reason is that they are going to stretch and mould to your feet and legs.  So, they need to have a zip that moves through the ankle area so that the leather here is firm fitting and not slouchy.  If you have curvy calves, and many of us do, then you want the zip to be full length (as opposed to a 1/2 zip).  Even so, when you first try your boot on they should feel pretty snug.  Obviously if you can’t do the zip up or it pinches your skin this is tooooo tight.  But firm is good.

The next important thing is the length.  Boots must come at least 3/4 of the way up your lower leg, although reaching under the knee is preferable.   If the length falls below this mark put it back on the shelf and keep looking – this is because the top of the boot falling below the 3/4 mark will cut the leg area in half and make it look chunkier and shorter than it is, and i don’t know anyone who wants that look!

To acheive this ‘perfect’ fit you will probably need to try on many boots and thats ok.  It is not because you have ‘large, fat, short, ugly blah blah blah legs’ … it is because you just haven’t found the boot that suits you best, yet.  Don’t settle for second best either!  Find the boot that loves you and will love them back and wear them comfortably walking everywhere into the happily ever after.

Over the knee boots are the big thing this winter and are generally mixed with a ‘riding’ boot bottom – just consider whether this is a look you want to wear over the next 3 years?  Also, if you want to wear your jeans in them then obviously they need to ‘give’ more so once you have them home wear them in (an hour a day around the house) so that they mould to you and fit like a second skin.

take your time, shop wisely karen