STYLING - WINTER STYLE TIPS: Staying warm and looking hot with Heather Cairns

Given that we are now experiencing chilly temps, how do we keep warm whilst NOT looking like the Michelin Man? (Or wearing the one coat 24/7?) Over to you Heather to help us out here…

It is definitely too easy to gravitate toward “Michelin Man” styling when the weather is cold, but this is easily avoidable with the right fashion! A crafty combination of layering and accessories should combat the cold whilst making you look attractive.

Have you ever noticed how freezing you become if you take off a scarf or a beret? Accessories which protect your head, neck and hands will really make a difference to your body temperature. In the coldest months, by wearing a long belted jacket or trench coat (to accentuate your waist) and accessorising with a scarf, beret and gloves, you will look stylish and still cut a killer silhouette.

There are some fabulous accessories available at Forever New at the moment. They have about ten varieties of ‘gaga’ style leather gloves all under $40 that I think are almost a must for the season.

Another way to tide your Autumn clothes over to winter is to add a pair if tights or stockings to dresses, skirts and dress shorts. These lightweight wonders will show off your pins whilst keeping you warm. Sportsgirl seems to have a wide variety of fashion tights including fabulous floral and leopard prints. For quality tights that last longer I don’t believe you can go past Leona Edmiston stockings they are BRILLIANT - I swear by them!  If you have the right legs a pair of fashion tights can bring your outfit to the next level for a small price.  If you are conscious about your legs team them with a dress or skirt that falls to or below your knee.  

Is layering the answer? 

Layering can be great, but no need to go too far. We live in Australia and can often survive the winter with some fabulous boots, a few jackets, tights and warm accessories. If you do layer try to keep your clothing close to your silhouette.  One of my favourites is to wear a top/cardigan/scarf combination and belt it to bring it in at the waist. There is an abundance of belted cardis on the catwalks in Europe!

Can you really wear tights with everything? Even peep toes boots/shoes? 

I think there are no rules but just make sure you keep summer peep toe shoes off the menu in winter.  If it is a peep toe bootie and you want to wear a pair of tights you should do a colour match so if the shoes are black your tights are black. I think mixing any type of winter shoe with tights its fine.  It is just summer shoes especially strappy ones are a big no no during winter. Instant disqualification on the style stakes! He he!
 

Which coats work with which outfit? Are there rules?

It is more how you style yourself. Look at Carrie from Sex and The City… so many times there is an element of surprise in her outfit, that she always pulls off. Trench Coats can go with dresses. A fantastic leather jacket looks as great on a party dress as it does on a pair of jeans with cons. And if you are smart enough to invest in a Balmain-esque Military jacket this season you should enjoy rocking it with a large heavy floral print and much as your sexiest pair of denim.  

Remember fashion is fun especially when you’re young!!!

Heather x