Winter Wear

I love winter because of all the lovely wintery clothes you can wear. From coats, to accessories and boots to jumpers, there’s something for everyone, no matter how summery you are. Here is a list of winter essentials that will get you through winter and will still make you look fabulous.

Accessories.

This is what adds style to you outfit. They include hats, gloves, scarves and earmuffs. Accessories are fairly cheap and casual. They come in lots of different colours and styles that you can match them with any outfit. There are loads of places where you can buy them. H and M is perfect for accessories. They aren’t too expensive and have a huge variety. New Look and River Island also have some really good stuff.

Hats

You can get some really nice and they are completely practical. They can protect your hair from the wind and rain as well as making you look super cute. Knitted hats and beanies are perfect for winter. They keep your head warm when it is really cold out there. They can also come in handy for bad hair days, or if you’ve woken up late and need to rush to a lecture.

Gloves

I love gloves. From fluffy pink ones to casual black ones, there is something for everyone. Personally my favourite ones are the fingerless gloves that can also turn into mittens. Mittens look adorable, but there isn’t much you can do while wearing them. By being able to take off the mitten part and leaving your fingers free, it can be really useful, especially when you need to answer your phone or grab something.

Scarves

Scarves are great. You can wear 1 in many different ways, making each look different. Knitted ones are perfect for winter because they can keep you neck and ears warm. Thin scarves are more of a fashion accessory that can look good once you’re where you need to be and can take off your coat. The one above is from New Look. I have a similar one, and it is so handy and looks brilliant. Or you can always go one step further and buy gorgeous shawls for nights out. Shawls are perfect for nights out as they can keep you warm and they look so elegant.

Earmuffs

Earmuffs are a brilliant invention. Whereas hats can ruin you hair, earmuffs keep your ears warm, and still leave your hair looking good. The aim is to keep warm whilst still looking ultra adorable. The best ones are the warm fluffy ones. Try getting black ones if you have light hair and white ones if you have darker hair. This means that they can stand out.

Jumpers/Hoodies

Hoodies are something else that comes in various colours and styles. You can get some amazing low cut ones from Hollister, as well as some really nice hoodies ones as well. I have the hoodie below from Hollister, and it feels fantastic everytime I wear it, and it is so warm and comfortable. Hoodies come in really handy if it’s raining. Personally, I can't live without hoodies. Because there are so many, they are perfect for winter. When it’s really cold, try wearing more polo neck jumpers. They keep you nice and cosy.

Coats

Coats are a necessity for winter, especially if you live in a colder climate. Most people I see outside tend to have black or grey coats, making the day more depressive. You can get lovely colourful coats that can add a little colour to you day, and maybe a smile to the odd stranger. H and M have a nice variety of coats, at good prices. I recently saw the following pink trench coat from there which looked great. I tried to force Leia to buy it, but she just wouldn't listen.

Jackets

If you live in a slightly warmer climate, where it doe not get that cold, winter jackets are perfect. Although not too heavy, they are warm enough to keep out the cold. They are perfect in colours such as Khaki green or a nice brown. I found that these autumny colours go with a nice pair of jeans and maybe knee high boots. Top it off with a light scarf and you have the perfect outfit.

Money Saving Tips

Its official…we are in a recession. Now that sounds worrying for shopaholics like me and Leia. But don’t worry; there are things you can do to make it through the year, without spending too much.

Re-vamp old clothes

It’s all about creativity here. Things like cutting an old pair of jeans to make them into shorts, or making rips in old jeans can make you feel like you’re wearing something new. For more creativity, you can buy beads or sequins, and completely change a pre-existing item. Beads aren’t that expensive, and will last you a while. And who know, you could have a knack for it.

Go to charity shops

There are actually loads of charity shops around, such as Oxfam. They are great for cheap stuff. Not just for clothes, but for books, and sometimes even jewellery. You always hear of people getting some great stuff from charity shops, and there is honestly no trick to it. All you need is time. You need to rummage through the racks and see what there is. I went into my local Oxfam recently and found a Zara shirt for £4. All it needed was a wash and it was good as new. There other great thing about charity shops is that all the money goes to a good cause. So you’re getting nice new stuff, and your money is going somewhere good. How perfect.

Sales

Ok, we all love sales and they are everywhere at the moment. But that is no excuse to go into all the shops and just spend. Basically, if you don’t need it, don’t buy it. When seeing something you like, you should assess how many times you’re going to wear it and how many similar items you already have like that. I mean, how many blue jeans do you actually need?

Obviously, if it’s something really good, at an amazing price, go for it.

Pre-plan shopping trips

I’ve done this one in the past, and I can guarantee it works. Just make a list of what you want and possibly even look at store websites to see exactly what you want. That way, when you go out shopping, you know exactly what shops to go into, and know exactly what you want. Hopefully, by planning your shopping trips well, you can also avoid the temptation of going into shops that you don’t need to.

Swap Clothes

This is a new fad in America, and I think we should embrace it more here in the UK. It’s just such a great idea. You have a little get together with all your friends and you all bring old or unwanted clothes. Then everything gets put together, and you just take what you want. It's also a great excuse to have a party!

Another great idea is sharing clothes. If you see your friend wearing something you like, ask to borrow it. Your friend will definitely say yes, and you have something new to wear.

Haggling

I’ve recently been hearing that these days, due to the economic crisis, you can haggle in shops. You probably won’t be able to try this in shops such as H & M or New Look, but I’m sure lots of places will let you. I personally haven’t tried it yet, but I mean, why not. What’s the harm? If they say no, then you’re only paying what you intended on paying in the first place. I can’t wait to try this.

You should also make full use of student discounts. Ask at the till, if you can get a student discounts, and mostly you can get 10%-15% off.

LOOK Fashion Swap

http://www.look.co.uk/advertorial/detail.cfm?tokenguid=4d65d354e4434b239f66c4e2c93b253d

Join in this event to get some FREE CLOTHES! Sherin and I will definitely be taking part, and you should, too!

Things no girl should live without

Leia's had her say on wardrobe essential, well, here's mine. There are lots of things that every girl needs, such as make up and good shoes, but here is a list of pure necessities that no girl should live without. They are useful things that can add something special to an outfit.

A fab pair of jeans

A great pair of jeans fit you amazingly and should make you feel like a star, as well as being super comfy. There is no rule what they should look like and the perfect pair is different for everyone. My favourite pair is a pair of baggy boy cut jeans I bought from French Connection, that literally go with every top I own. They also look great and add that special touch when I wear them. There are so many different pair of jeans out there that there is something for absolutely everyone. I would recommend Levis. I have a pair from there and they fit beautifully. The ones in the picture below are a perfect example of how good Levis can look. The jeans all look good and you can customise them however you want to give it your own unique look. American Eagle also have some great stuff. Although they only have shops in America, its worth taking a look at the website and maybe ordering online. If not, next time you're in the States, definitely pop in to one of their shops.

There is also no rule saying that your perfect pair has to be expensive. You can get some great stuff out there from cheaper stores. I bought a pair of jeans about 3 years ago for £10, and they still look good and fit great. So go out there and explore, and you’ll find the perfect pair.

1 piece of expensive jewellery

Be it a necklace from Tiffany & Co, or a small gold ring, a piece of expensive jewellery is one thing that no girl should be without. When wearing it, you should feel like a million dollars. It should not be too ‘blingy’, but instead should be light and classic whilst adding a little sparkle to your outfit. I wouldn’t recommend you wear everyday to college and university, but you should keep it for special occasions. Personally, I love the jewellery from Tiffany & Co. They are elegant and absolutely gorgeous. The necklaces especially are amazing to look at and make you look great when you wear them.

A warm hoodie

For me, hoodies, or fleece jumpers, are probably the most comfortable piece of clothing you can have. With winter here, hoodies are perfect. There are two different kinds. One is for wearing at home. It should be large and comfortable for wearing during the longs and cold chilly nights. A great recommendation is to take one from an older brother or a boyfriend. Because they are large, you can cuddle up in them. The second type is for wearing out. Most of my friends never wear hoodies to university or whenever we go out shopping or hanging out. However, you can get some great ones these days that look really fashionable, but also keep you warm. You can also look really cute in them. Abercromie and Hollister do the best ones. They look really cool and fit really well. Both shops do them in so many different colours, that if you get a nice small pink one, you can look really nice and girly, but also stay warm.

A classic watch

I love my watch and can’t imagine my life without it. It is Nina Ricci, and has a plain black leather strap, with a grey and silver clock face. It is beautiful and what a classic watch should be. A classic watch is something that looks good now, but will still look just as good in 20 years time. It is also something you can wear to college, as well as to a formal party. By keeping the design simple, its gives the watch it’s elegant and classic look, and doe not draw too much attention to itself.

TagHeuer and Breguet do amazing ones. They both have lots of different models and they do some really different designs as well. Both TagHeuer and Breguet are really expensive though, but they will most likely last a lifetime.

For a more affordable option, I recommend Armani. The watches are still classics that also look great on your arms. I would say here to avoid really cheap watches, as in my experience, they don’t last as long. Although expensive watches are, well, expensive, it is totally worth because they will last ages.