I thought I was being super clever escaping the Australian winter for three weeks.
In my head, I’d waltz on back from the south of Italy, all glowing and ready to embrace the new fashion season ahead.
WRONG.
No, as a major reality check, Queensland – and the entire Eastern seaboard of Australia – was hit with a record-breaking cold snap.
Hello! What exactly did I wear to keep warm before I packed up my summer travel capsule wardrobe?
Day by day, I’ve been reacquainting myself with the winter section of my wardrobe, reminding myself that while I may not be able to feel my feet or hands, that I do LOVE dressing for this time of year.
I love the layers. I love the muted colour palette. I love wearing scarves. I love wearing pants and tights to hide a lack of depilatory action. I love wearing closed-in shoes to hide a lack of pedicure action.
Mostly, I love that it’s much easier to look dressed up in winter than it is in summer when more than one layer can be stifling.
But, what if, unlike me, you haven’t had a three-week break from your winter wardrobe?
What if you’re getting mighty bored with your tried and true winter wardrobe essentials?
Well, you’ve come to the right place. In this post, I want to offer up some simple tips for changing things up in your winter wardrobe as well as share some styling inspiration from the real women of #everydaystyle (each day women from around Australia share their outfit via this hashtag, a campaign I started at the end of 2013 – you can search and follow along on Instagram).
5 tips for keeping your winter wardrobe fresh
1. Do a wardrobe edit. This might seem like a crazy thing to do mid-season but I say any time is a good time to de-clutter, re-organise and really remember what’s in your wardrobe. I found a knit I’d forgotten about but love wearing by doing this when I got home from our trip. You’ll find my key wardrobe editing tips here.
2. Plan your outfits. I’ll admit it, sometimes my planning happens while I’m in the shower, ie five minutes before I’m due to get dressed, but the whole mixing it up in the outfit department thing happens a whole lot easier if I think ahead. Sometimes I’ll do a rough plan for an entire week if I’ve got a lot of different events and meetings on. Even if I’ve thought out the outfit the night before, I have more success in putting together something that feels right for what the day holds for me. I use the weather app to check for forecast temperatures/rain etc and then base my outfit on what I’ll be doing.
3. Photograph your favourite outfits. You know that feeling when you put together an outfit and feel REALLY good about it. To help remember that feeling and associated outfit, take a photo of it (either on you or the pieces laid out on your bed). Save those photos into a dedicated album on your phone and you’ll have photographic prompts ready to go next time you’re standing in front of your wardrobe scratching your head and wondering what to wear.
4. Mix it up – on purpose. This is something that I try to do – especially as I share my outfit every day on Instagram and Facebook! If I feel I’ve worn pants too many times in a row, I’ll consciously mix it up with a skirt or dress combination. It might seem forced at first but it’s a good habit to get into to stop wardrobe boredom setting in. It also ensures you wear more of your winter wardrobe, not just the things that are super easy to grab and put on each day.
5. Buy something new. Notice how I left this tip until last? There’s a good reason for that. For starters, I’m a big fan of making the most of what you already have before hitting the shops. Besides, the really warm winter clothing will no longer be in store for you to buy. The stores have moved on to early spring releases. So if it’s really, really cold where you live and it won’t be warming up any time soon, try to limit any new purchases to things like scarves and accessories. If you live in the northern parts of Australia, spring usually kicks in on cue at the end of August. When buying new pieces, seek out garments you can layer up now but things that will serve you well for spring. During this trans-seasonal period, you’ll see a lot of black and white and denim/chambray around. If this is your thing, now is the time to stock up (#notetoself).
Shopping suggestions
Consider these shopping suggestions boredom busters for your winter wardrobe. Yes, they’ll add some freshness to your existing winter offering but they will also work for you as you head into spring.
The monochromatic and indigo/denim colour palette is very strong in store at the moment. It’s not only trans-seasonal but also classic so these are buys that will serve you for many a season to come.
1. Sacha Drake dress $229 | 2. Blue Illusion shirt $149.95 | 3. Belle Bird top $69.95 @ Birdsnest | 4. IVYS scarf $39.95 @ Birdsnest | 5. Veronika Maine dress $219 | 6. Metalicus skirt $139.95 | 7. Sussan pant $99.95 | 8. Katies longline cardi $29.95
Styling inspiration
If it’s real-women style inspiration you’re after, you’ve come to the right place. At Styling You, we believe that every woman is real – every size, age and shape – is inspiration to this community. Here is some winter wardrobe style inspiration from just a selection of the women who share their #everydaystyle outfits. Hope they give you some ideas to keep you excited about your winter wardrobe as we say goodbye to July and head into August. Click on the links to their Instagram accounts below each photo to follow and find outfit details.
Feeling inspired? Feeling like you can approach the rest of winter with a fresh take on your wardrobe? What tips do you have to share that help you maintain excitement for your winter wardrobe?
* This post contains affiliate links. If you happen to click on one of these links and buy something from the store, I’ll receive a small commission.
Comments 36
I love the look of that blue Sacha drake dress but the site says only size 16.
They might have more coming Elizabeth, it’s worth emailing them. x
The Size 12 and 14 of that dress sold out in preorders and the rest sold out soon after release. I’m on the waiting list for any returns and they said they’re considering doing a re-cut if they can find enough fabric. So fingers crossed I’ll still get my dress. Definitely email them and put yourself on the waiting list.
I have just updated with a few cheap and cheerful pieces to get me through Winter and into spring. When I know I am teaching I set my outfit out the night before. Even if I change my mind in the morning I know I have somewhere to start. Fabulous tips. Especially leaving the buying till last. Bron.
That starting point is crucial for me too … starts with weather app and then outfit. I can and do change my mind but that’s a woman’s prerogative, yes?
Taking a photo a day has helped me too Karen. It helps me avoid the rut I was in before #everydaystyle – I was always ok with events etc but really didn’t put a lot of thought into the every day!
Taking a photo a day has helped me too Karen. It helps me avoid the rut I was in before #everydaystyle – I was always ok with events etc but really didn’t put a lot of thought into the every day!
I have a friend who wardrobe plans like you would meal plan. She hangs entire outfits together so she can just pull out the whole look easily. She always looks a million bucks so it may be time to follow suit!
So, so smart – particularly if you don’t have a whole lot of time each morning and need to get others out the door as well!
So, so smart – particularly if you don’t have a whole lot of time each morning and need to get others out the door as well!
Yes decluttering really helps. I just donated a bunch of old faves that felt tired and were making me feel a little less confident I think! And I purchased two new winter items in the sales. It is still freezing in Sydney and seems like it will be for awhile.
Good work dumping the things that don’t make you feel as confident!!
I love everything about this post! It’s like you were reading my mind. I did a huge wardrobe cleanout a couple of weeks ago and it really was the best thing ever. I rediscovered a few pieces I’d forgotten about, got rid of the stuff I wasn’t wearing and felt re-inspired and excited to walk into my wardrobe again. x
Yay for that Sonia … less really is more! x
I love everything about this post! It’s like you were reading my mind. I did a huge wardrobe cleanout a couple of weeks ago and it really was the best thing ever. I rediscovered a few pieces I’d forgotten about, got rid of the stuff I wasn’t wearing and felt re-inspired and excited to walk into my wardrobe again. x
Great tips Nikki. I especially like that last pic of you in the leather jacket. I just found an app called stylicious (i think there are a few similar ones) where you can upload photos of your wardrobe pieces and make outfits from them and save them in categories that you can search through! You can even add the looks to a calendar so you can plan what you are going to wear and i also add them to my calendar after i wear them so i can keep track of what i am wearing most. You can add items to a travel folder as well. It can be time consuming to upload your clothes one by one but im going for a more minimalist wardrobe so it wasn’t too bad or you could just focus on one season at a time or the main pieces rather that all the layers etc 🙂 just another option for people that like to play with their clothes. It has helped me wear more interesting outfits 🙂
I so should have developed the app Steph! I still might look at creating my own and tie in with #everydaystyle … such a great idea.
I’m bored with my winter work wardrobe, but still loving the casual side. I think that’s because there seems to be fewer opportunities to get out and play in winter.
Hopefully with just over 3 1/2 weeks until we fly to Stockholm I’ll be still feeling that way when I get to wear these layers for the cold we’re expecting at either end of our trip.
Woohoo … not long to go now Johanne … you’ll be excited for sure xx
Planning is so key Lisa … I love how you put together a new spin on your style every day. Thanks for being such a loyal #everydaystyle participant! x
timely thankyou nikki! … the photos of everyone look great! … a good selection! … i’ll study them and your overseas list!
winter is all rugged up here! coats, long boots and scarves galore! and as long as I’m warm who cares! … just smile and that’s all that’s showing!
still confused re weather up your way! and having to walk out there stylishly amongst people, in a city! mmm! we’ll be walking a lot! … incognito at least! … but I can’t get my head past 15 degrees! … i’ll bight the bullet and say that’s it! in the case or not! … thermals??? yes!
enjoy your day! hope your son had a lovely birthday!
he certainly had a fabulous trip of a lifetime! … love m:)X
I don’t think you’ll need thermals M up here … just a jacket/coat and pants for night, boots as well. If sunny during the day you’ll need what you would wear in early Spring where you live. xx
thanks very much nikki! … having overwhelm about keeping packing light I think! … silliness reigns supreme hun! … lol m:)X
And yes my son had a beautiful birthday and thanked me for it (unprompted!) before bed last night – that was my gift x
Love your tips Nikki, and love the inspo from the other #everydaystyle ladies too (and thank you for including me). I am getting a bit bored with my wardrobe, especially as I only own so many knits, being a Queenslander and all! Great timing for this post. X
I love how you’ve been showing winter and maternity style Jasmine … yes my knits are getting a lot of love too … you almost get tempted to buy more (I only bought one new one this season) but you have to remind yourself that spring is coming!
Oh thank you Nikki 🙂 It’s certainly added another challenging element to getting dressed each day! Certainly, Spring will be here before we know it.
Hi Nikki , where is the scarf from in the last picture?
Hi Jo, it’s actually a poncho worn as a scarf. It’s by Lou Lou Design (mine came from http://cheveuxdesignandespresso.com.au/)
Hi Jo, it’s actually a poncho worn as a scarf. It’s by Lou Lou Design (mine came from http://cheveuxdesignandespresso.com.au/)
In winter it can be super hard to amp up your style when all you care about is being warm. I love your picks and those gorgeous stylish ladies you have showcased. V x
So very true V … and some days all you want to do is stay under the doona!
Winter has been insane. Being a Queenslander, we aren’t use to this kind of cold. Thanks for including me xx
You do winter so well my friend … all those gorgeous layers x
I’m wearing the Metalicus skirt – super comfy and perfect for work.
Thanks for including me Nikki 🙂
Noted Alex, you work it beautifully! … and a huge congrats to on your engagement. x