Fashion Double-Feature: Wrap Up Warm This Winter

Posted on 25th Nov 11 by Leanne Cunningham | 1

The past few weeks have seen the Indian Summer disappear and its becoming more necessary to reach into the back of the wardrobe and find our winter clothes to wrap up in. High streets shops now have their summer stock waiting to be bought on discount rails, allowing for 2011 winters trends to fill up shop fronts and window displays. Some of these trends include snake skin prints, nude tights (made popular again due to Kate Middleton), and leather look leggings. Here we will look at how to dress successfully for the winter months, without having to blow your Christmas present fund on it.

Charity Shops
A number of charity shops are currently offering last years winter stock for reasonable prices, much of which is almost identical to what you will find in stores. Many people choose to get rid of their bulky coats, wooly hats, and jumpers to allow for room for clothes for Spring and Summer, allowing the rest of us to find a bargain. Hats and scarves are usually prices from one to three euros, coats from ten to thirty, scarves from one to five euro, and a variety of hoodies and jumpers priced from five euro. Of course, the downside to charity shopping is the difficulty for finding appropriate sizes (though thankfully this isn’t an issue with hats and scarves). The best charity shops in Dublin can be found on Camden Street, Georges Street, and Phibsboro. In other counties Cork has a Mrs. Quinns shop on North Main Street which a great selection and Shop Street and Sea Road in Galway offers a selection for those hunting a bargain which makes them feel good.

Statement Knitwear
If you want to make a statement this winter a statement jumper, knitted dress or cardigan will offer a simple way to do so and keep warm. Team them with a cute skirt, some tailored trousers, or over a dress for a layered effect. A Wear and Penneys are offering the largest selection, with heart designs and neutral colours being key. Topshop are offering less fitted, more chunky and slouchy designs in burnt mustards and burgundies, with Urban Outfitters making a statement with Aztec Prints in the form of open cardigans and shawls.

Making a Pop with Shorts and Trousers
Last season many celebrities added a touch of colour to their outfit with brightly coloured jeans, leggings, and shorts. Alexa Chung teamed feminine blouses with bunny pink jeans, Rachel Stevens appeared inseparable with her red skinny jeans, and Fearne Cotton caught on to the mustard trend while showing off her legs in mustard shorts. If you want to follow the trend Miss Selfridge, H&M, and Oasis are the best places to look, with H&M offering the most affordable options.

Nightwear
Once you get out of the cold you’ll need something to spend those winter evenings in front of the tv watching X Factor in. La Senza offers everything from slinky nightdress to cozy dressing gowns. Animal print and polka dots feature heavily throughout their nightwear range this season. In Penneys they are using more floral prints and cute characters to entice you into an early night. Jack Wills will once again remain the high street store to beat in the nightwear market, with them setting a number of trends in the area. However, with their prices remaining high they are possibly more appropriately thought of as a Christmas treat. Of course, you must remember that no matter how cosy the pyjamas on offer may be wearing them outside your house will remain frowned upon, with Tesco banning the trend last winter.

Tags: colour, fashion, knitwear, nightwear, topshop, trends, winter