Winter Lookbook

Hi everyone! I don’t do a lot of fashion posts on the blog but I felt like sharing some key pieces that make me think of Winter fashion and staying cosy and warm. I have been specific and selected each piece by colour. I associate certain colours with different months and tend to opt for certain styles depending on which month it is.

I have come up with two outfits, both smart-casual. The first is a little more glam and the second more everyday comfort. There are three common denominators, both include neck accessories, black boots (in different styles) and a berry lip! For the lipstick I picked one of my favourites, Rimmel 107!

Outfit #1:

1. Pink Bomber Jacket: Bomber jackets are all the rage and I recently picked up one similar to this style. Mine has got a satin-esque look and is more of a rose gold colour. The pinky, rosy hues would suit many people and keeps an outfit casual whilst smartening it up with a colour other than black.

2. Black Ponte Pants: Ponte pants remind me of leggings but thicker which is probably why I want a pair so much! I have tried to find a pair but because of my height the pants are too long for me. Ponte pants provide comfort and are a versatile item – they go with everything.

3. Black Velvet Choker: I am loving the choker trend lately. I am yet to try it myself but I like how they look on everyone else. The simple, black velvet chokers are the ones that catch my eye. I’d like to pick one up for myself at some point. The black choker ties in with the pants and the boots.

4. Black Boots: Black boots are one of my wardrobe staples but I prefer boots without high heels. I like flat, slip on boots that look good with pretty much anything and go with multiple outfits.

5. Rimmel 107 Lipstick: The perfect berry lipstick accompaniment. There’s enough black in this outfit to balance out the bold lip choice and I think it would team well with the pink hues of the bomber jacket.

Outfit #2:

1. Pastel Blue Knit Jumper: I bought a jumper this exact colour a couple of months ago and it is the most beautiful shade of blue. I find a lot of my jumpers are shades of blue so clearly I associate blue with winter. Not only do jumpers like this look beautiful but they are warm and cosy.

2. Denim Blue Jeans: Jeans are an absolute classic and I have more than one pair in my wardrobe. Jeans always look chic and a good quality pair of jeans can last for years. Multiple shades of blue together make the outfit match but not too much. For instance, light blue jeans wouldn’t work as well

3: Grid Blanket Scarf: For days a thick, cosy jumper isn’t enough, add a scarf! This black and white pattern breaks up the blue but still ties the outfit together. A blue scarf would be overkill. The tassels are so cute!

4: Black Chelsea Boots: Chelsea boots are a classic style. They are easy to slip on and off and survive the harsh winter days. Like the pair in outfit #1 these are flat and don’t have a heel.

5: Rimmel 107 Lipstick: I love wearing blue and red together, they contrast but not enough to clash. Berry and pastel blue are two of my favourite colours for winter.

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Which outfit is your favourite?

What are your Winter fashion staples?

❄ OOTD: I’m Gonna Be Warm This Winter ❄

In New Zealand we are over halfway through winter and thankfully it hasn’t been too bitter. *Touches wood* I wanted to share an outfit with you that I have been wearing a lot lately, it’s perfect for winter but will still keep you looking stylish. (The outfit is pocket friendly too!) This outfit is a cross between casual and semi-formal. I took inspiration from nature and opted for greys and blacks to represent the clouds and gloomy weather. I kept the colour palette neutral so it would be easy to recreate and it also means you can accessorise easily and wear whatever makeup you wish. Unfortunately, most of these items aren’t available online anymore but I will link the products I can find at the end of the post.

Clothing

Long sleeve Roll Neck Boucle Jumper – $15

I purchased this jumper at the beginning of June and I have been obsessed with it ever since! I spotted this in store and instantly fell in love. The jumper is lightweight and doesn’t feel heavy on but is still warm and cosy. I really like the roll neck, how it looks and the practicality of it for cooler weather. This jumper is quite slouchy and oversized but somehow it is the perfect fit at the same time. The sleeves aren’t too long and the hem sits nicely. The short splits at the sides are a cute touch.

Anna High Neck Tee – $5

Cotton On has become one of my favourite places to shop for clothes recently. Their clothes are the right mix of stylish and affordable and I picked up this high neck tee back in January for only $5! I like the ribbed effect, the sleeve length and the fitted look. I’m a curvy girl but I love how this looks on and how it makes me feel confident when I wear it; it hugs in all the right places. I believe this tee would work with most outfits all year round.

Grey Jeggings – $15

I love the comfort of leggings and I love the look of jeans so it was a no brainer for me to pick up this pair of jeggings. My pair have an elasticated waist as opposed to a button and zip closure. Unlike a lot of jeans and leggings that gather around my ankles because I’m short, these don’t. Although I couldn’t find a picture of my exact pair online, I feel this image best represents the colour, not dark grey but not light grey either.

Accessories

The Saturdays Crystal Heart Necklace – $2

I have had this necklace for a couple of years now and it was an even bigger bargain than the high neck tee! By Gioia are a company that specialise in jewellery from the world’s biggest musical artists and I purchased this necklace from The Saturdays’ line for £1. When the line was first released I think this retailed for roughly £17.99. This necklace has an adjustable chain and I chose this particular piece to compliment the roll neck jumper because of its’ length.

Footwear

When it comes to footwear for this outfit, I have two options: one is more casual and the other is more dressy if you were going out or had an event in the evening.

1. Skechers Flex Appeal Sweet Spot Walking Shoes – $77.99

 This pair of shoes is the most expensive item in this post but as far as shoes go they’re still not too expensive. I find shoe shopping can be difficult because I have wide, short feet and my ankles roll out when I walk (pronation). These shoes are one of the most comfortable pairs I have worn and I’m sure that’s down to the memory foam. I love to be comfortable and I bought these because I wanted a nice pair of trainers which these certainly are. If you’d like to read more about these shoes, I wrote a post on them HERE.

2. Onix Suede Boots – $20

I bought these boots almost two years ago and they are still in near perfect condition. Despite these being suede, I’ve never experienced any water damage or any marks. Originally these boots retailed for $179.99 and I almost couldn’t believe it when I saw the price sticker for $20. These boots have the slightest heel but that doesn’t alter how comfortable they are to wear. These look so cute with the grey jeggings tucked into them.

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Jumper: Kmart

Top: Cotton On

Jeggings: Postie

Necklace: By Gioia

Shoes: Skechers

Shoes: Diana Ferrari

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I hope you enjoyed reading this post and seeing what I’ve been loving and wearing lately fashion-wise. Let me know what you think of this outfit – would you wear it?

6 Wardrobe Staples

We all have those items in our wardrobe that make us feel good when we wear them and you can count on as go to pieces when you have no idea what to wear. I’ve narrowed down the top six pieces in my wardrobe that I feel are staples and everyone should have. All of these are classics that I believe will never go out of style!

Cosy Jumper

If you’re like me there’s nothing you enjoy more than being all wrapped up and snug on cold, wet days. I also love nothing more than coming home and getting into my comfy, “home” clothes. A cosy jumper is practical for both situations, it keeps you warm and is easy to throw on. You know the jumpers I’m talking about here, the knitted, thick type which can also be dressed up with a few accessories and a nice pair of jeans or leggings if you have to leave the house. I bought a cream jumper recently and although I haven’t had a lot of wear out of it yet, I can’t wait for it to come out once the weather starts getting a bit nippy.

Denim Blue Jeans

Jeans not only look good with pretty much anything (including the cosy jumper above), there are so many styles and colours out there to suit you and your shape. If you pick a well-known, trusted brand, jeans can be durable and last you a good few years. Jeans can be worn casually or dressed up for a more sophisticated look. Black jeans look cute with a strappy top in summer or teamed with boots, coat and a hat in winter.

Black Court Shoes

A court shoe is a basic heel that can be worn for work, job interviews, date nights or any other occasion you can think of. Court shoes generally have a mid heel placing them between kitten and stiletto lengthwise. Most of my footwear is black as it goes with everything and I don’t have to worry about my shoes clashing with the rest of my outfit. Black always looks smart and sleek.

White Button Up Shirt

A white shirt looks crisp and can also be worn outside of the office without looking like work clothes. Try playing around with sleeve length, material and cut. I personally like a 3/4 length sleeve as I’m short. The shirt I’ve got has sleeves that can be rolled up and fastened with a button or worn long if you’re layering over top. A white shirt and jeans is a super easy and casual weekend look.

Black Boots

The options with boots are endless; ankle, over the knee, heel, no heel, zip up, lace up – the list goes on! Once you find a pair and a cut that works for you it feels like a match made in heaven. Boots are not only stylish but they can be practical as well. They look great with pants tucked in or worn over the top. My pair of boots have a tiny 2cm heel but are not your typical high-heeled boots – the heel is wider than it is long. The boots are comfortable to wear all day and for dancing all night.

Red Lipstick

When in doubt, add red lipstick! If your outfit is bland and boring, a red lip will pull everything together to make you look complete. Don’t be afraid of red, there is a shade out there perfect for everybody, you just have to find it! My favourite at the moment is MAC’s Ruby Woo. There is a reason so many people love it and call this the perfect red. Ruby Woo is a blue-toned red which helps make your teeth look whiter – perfect for that smile! Other personal favourite red lipsticks of mine: Rimmel 107 (a berry, wine red) and Revlon’s Fire & Ice (a tomato red).

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The beauty with all of these pieces is that they work well individually and together. If you take blue jeans, a white shirt, black heels and red lipstick, that’s a killer outfit right there! How many of these are in your wardrobe?

Fashion/Beauty Haul

1. ‘Whistle’ Roll-Up Sleeve Shirt – Orange

This button-up shirt has a collar, roll-up tab sleeves, two pockets and silver buttons. The first thing I noticed on the rack was the beautiful colour and I just knew I had to try it on. The shirt is cut in the high-low style meaning the hems finish at different lengths (the front hem is higher than the back hem).

RRP: $49.99 | Sale price: $34.99

2. Diana Ferrari – Onix Slouch Boots

My old boots didn’t even make it a year before they got holes in them and the soles started to split. These boots feature an easy pull on design with contrast stitching and a luxurious suede finish. The inside lining and sock is made out of leather while the sole is made out of rubber. Heel height: 2.5cm.

Boots look great dressed up or dressed down. Weather is warming up in New Zealand so I might not get to wear these for a while but I’ll be ready for Autumn/Winter 2015.

RRP: $179.95 | Sale price: $20.00 – bargain of the century right there!

3. OPI nail polishes

I started off looking for a periwinkle (blue/purple) shade but didn’t see one that I a) thought would suit my skin tone or b) instantly fell in love with. Yesterday, Farmers, (the department store where I purchased all the items in this post) were having a huge one day sale. I heard they were having a 2 for $30 deal on OPI polishes and I couldn’t resist.

No Room For the Blues from the OPI Brights Collection

Can’t aFjörd Not To from the OPI Nordic Collection

RRP: $19.95 | Sale price: $15.00

4. Australis Concealer Stick – Light

Australis is one of my favourite make up brands and I have used a few of their products in the past. My favourite type of concealer is stick concealer because I don’t need to wear a lot and I’m not really a fan of liquid texture. Australis Concealer Stick is a multi-purpose perfecter and correcter that conceals skin imperfections all day long. It effectively counteracts redness and counter balances darkness without the need for excessive, unnatural coverage. It covers up blemishes, under eye circles and any discolouration.

Australis Concealer Stick comes in three shades: Light, Medium and Dark. I purchased Light, which is the lightest shade.

RRP: $17.50. Unfortunately, this item wasn’t on sale.

Overall, I saved a total of $184.85 yesterday. The boots were the biggest bargain, meaning I saved $160.00 on those alone.

Are there any bargains you’ve picked up recently?

Chanelle x