7 Simple Outfit Ideas That Work in Any Weather

To counterbalance the frothy party outfits of last week, I thought we’d go for some more down-to-earth-and-quite-sensible looks this time – the kind you might actually wear day to day. There’s an emphasis on practical, weather-appropriate pieces too. I know this can be a bit dull, and it’s not as fun as thinking about getting dolled up in your finest, but sometimes we need to consider our wardrobe and what we actually wear the most.

The other day, I said to a friend: think about your lifestyle and the items you reach for all the time, because those are the things you should be spending the most on. It’s all very well lusting after a £300 party dress, but realistically, how often will you wear it? Maybe ten times, at the absolute most. A sensible waterproof coat for the same price, though: you could wear that a hundred times a year for many years to come. So get a good one that you really like, not some emergency garden-centre purchase.

I say the same for myself about jeans; that way, I don’t have too much guilt when I buy expensive pairs, because I know I’ll wear them all the time. Let’s have a look at seven simple outfit ideas that will work for all the weathers we might have this winter.

A CHILL WITH MIZZLY RAIN

God, I hate mizzly rain. My hair does NOT do well with it. We’re looking at a major fluff fest within minutes of leaving the house. In those circumstances, I always carry a cashmere beanie about my person. Pop that on, and the fluff will at least have a barrier until you can get to where you’re going. A wax-coated jacket will keep you dry, and my favourite boots from last year (and the year before) are back in high rotation.

LAYER IT UP BABY

Have I mentioned the new Uniqlo cashmere Heattech range yet? If not, that’s very remiss of me, because I am obsessed (and I don’t use that word often). If you’ve ever worn Heattech items under layers, you will want to replace them ALL with this new version. It’s softer, warmer, more luxurious, and yet still costs less than £20. They’re also nice and thin, so you can layer them under your usual clothes during the winter without creating any bulk. Trust me on this. Get one. At least one.

COLD & WET BUT STILL CHIC

I do love my wide-leg jeans and trousers, but I definitely do not love arriving at my destination with a slow creeping feel of dampness around my ankles. So a pair of cropped trousers or jeans and some decent boots are a must as we head into rainy wintery days. I saw these traditional Japanese hakama trousers in Muji last week when I was browsing their acrylic jewellery storage options (which are great, by the way – you can actually see what you’ve got instead of it all being hidden away in a solid box), and I thought they would work really well with a good pair of knee-high boots. A chic, yet practical look for a rainy day.

COLD WITH A 14% CHANCE OF SHOWERS

But then, who even knows how they come up with these percentages? You’re probably better off looking out the window – and always taking your umbrella with you, just in case. If it’s really only a light shower, you won’t need a full-on waterproof, and you might find you get away with a quilted jacket that can withstand the odd spot of rain.

PISSING IT DOWN ON A DOG WALK

We have reached the season that all dog owners despise: the season of MUD. From November until April, we have to deal with it. There are a couple of local routes I can take where I’m able to dodge the worst of it, but even then, I need decent, high wellies to deal with it.

During the days of rain and mud, I tend to wear my leggings and a big jumper, then throw an oversized waterproof over it all and hope for the best. I fear I’m at the age when I might ‘have a fall’ in these treacherous conditions. At what age do we stop ‘falling over’ and ‘have a fall’ instead?

CRISP AND CLEAR

The times we long for over winter. If the sun is out, I don’t care how cold it is. These are the days when you can wear your good trainers and your nice fleecy jacket without fear. Layer a wool waistcoat / gilet / tank top underneath for extra toastiness.

A PROPER WATERPROOF

My (very amateurish) advice when looking for a good waterproof is to get one that’s fairly light and oversized so you can wear it for more than one season in the year. In the spring, you can wear it on its own, and in winter you can layer it over your usual warm jacket. Also, make sure you get one that actually is waterproof – ‘showerproof’ means it’s OK for a few minutes, but any longer and the water is likely to come in at the seams, and no one wants soggy shoulders.

Next week, I plan on looking at skirts. Call it the Claudia effect, but we are all searching for the perfect pleated skirt right now. Hopefully I can find some for you.

K x

WearsMyMoney

I spent it all on clothes by the looks of things...