Styling Tips For All The Family This Winter

Styling Tips for All The Family This Winter

With a teen, tween and toddler in tow here, there’s always someone to buy for when it comes to new season clothes. We tend to prefer casual lounge wear for the everyday as my husband and I work from home, and my 14 and 12 year olds love a streetwear hoodie with jeans or a tracksuit for a weekend or after school after being in rigid school uniform all week.

For an evening or special occasion, the (young) men in the family favour a polo shirt, or striped shirt with a cable knit jumper or pullover over the top with smart chinos or darker coloured jeans. Comfort always wins out though.

Admittedly, my toddler daughter, Florence, has a far bigger and more beautiful wardrobe than I do! After two boys, I *might have gone a little wild with outfits for her since her birth, and Autumn/Winter is my favourite fashion season, not just for her but for me too. Frilly sleeves, sequin dresses, lace tutu skirts, padded coats, fluffy earmuffs, patent boots and bags, princess shoes are just some of the joyful items in her wardrobe.

Turning three in November with a joint birthday with me no less (I turn 44, 5 days later) will be Frozen themed with several outfit changes for us both of course! I just need to find our Anna and Elsa outfits and I’m all set!  Now, if you require some direction when it comes to dressing the family for winter, do check out my tips below, there’s nothing I love more than shopping (it’s the best therapy there is) so I’ve picked up lots of tips over the years:

1. Layer up when it comes to colder weather as you will find yourself constantly going from the chilly outdoors to the warm and stuffy indoors. Layering up with thermal tees, long sleeved tops and brushed leggings for warmth, and adding easily ‘peelable’ clothes such as cardigans and pullovers will make life easier as you transition between environments and temperatures.
2. Don’t become overly concerned with trends, instead opting for timeless, chic pieces that will stand the test of time, and you will return to wearing them each year. I love LBDs (little black dresses) which never fail me when it comes to dressing them up or down making them versatile for meetings or girly cocktails. Ditto with classic, designer handbags which are well made so they can last a lifetime. I like to work out the cost per wear on more expensive items to appreciate the contrast between fast fashion items.

3. Do look online for second-hand items (Vinted is a great place to start) searching for quality pieces that are in good condition for a snip of the retail price. Charity shops/ thrift stores are another smart way to save money while also importantly, being kinder to the environment. I
personally like to hunt out neutral tees, jumpers and jeans and adore vintage one-of-a kind pieces I mix with modern, high-street items. My fashion style is rather like my home decor style: the antique with the modern mixed up in jewel colours and textures. Designer outlets who reduce their prices by selling previous seasons are another place to consider. We like to stock up on gloves, scarves and hats from outlets. The key is to shop for A/W (Autumn/ Winter) in S/S (Spring/ Summer) for the cheapest prices. Friends of mine always buy their Uggs, for example, in the middle of the summer for this exact reason.

4. Whilst trends are not your (long term) friend, do opt for a silly Christmas jumper because the season is definitely more fun with a festive jumper to get you into the spirit of things, and makes for the ideal lounge wear when you’ve over-indulged! Lots of Christmas jumpers are attached to charities too so do your research and know when you buy, a percentage of the price will be donated. It is the time to give after all!Of course, if you’d rather go for something unique, you can always find graphic hoodies from an online printing service, which can all be personalized to suit your recipient, not to mention they’re trendy too!

5. The same goes for matching PJs. They cringe most of my family out (my toddler is still as obsessed as I am with twinning) but no festive family photo is complete without the whole family (including pets) in cute pyjamas. Festive PJs are not just for Christmas either, we wear ours all year round! Let me know your wintery styling tips too.