In response to last Friday’s post, one of my regular readers made this comment on Facebook… “In addition to your tips, there are two items I think will help you look put together. In our cold climate most people we meet will only see our outerwear, so I invest in a nice flattering coat and boots. They go a long way to creating good first and lasting impressions.” That reminded me of a hilarious story that has been told many times at my poor hubby’s expense.
Many years ago when we were in the city for our annual teacher’s convention, we went out for dinner with a colleague who is also a good friend. It was a cold, blustery evening in early March. Hubby dropped us off in front of the restaurant and then went to park the vehicle. We were seated in the lounge while waiting for a table and our drinks had just been delivered when hubby came in to ask if I had some change for the parking meter. He was wearing a ratty old winter coat that I had been trying to convince him to replace for a very long time. I wish I had a picture to show you! It was bad! I gave him the change he needed and as soon as he left, the waiter came over and asked, “Ladies, was that man bothering you?” He thought hubby was a vagrant begging for money! Guess who bought a brand new winter coat the very next day!
So yes, outerwear is important! It’s often the most visible part of a winter outfit and in many cases, it’s all that people see. Climate should, of course, dictate your choice of outerwear. Here on the Alberta prairie where temperatures plunge to -30ºC (-22ºF) and sometimes even colder, warmth has to be our first priority, but we don’t have to give up looking good in order to stay warm. Six years ago, I wrote this post about how to buy a winter coat. Believe it or not, I’m still wearing that coat and it still looks as good as it did when I bought it.
If we lived where winters were less harsh, I’d maybe wear this coat all season long or perhaps I’d invest in a longer wool coat, but as soon as the temperature dips much below 0ºC (32ºF) I reach for the warmth of my insulated jacket.
The second piece of outerwear that will keep you looking put together in the depth of winter is a good pair of boots. If I wasn’t such a frugal fashionista, I’d probably have a very large collection of those. I’m not really a fan of winter, but I do love boots!
Whether choosing tall boots or an ankle style, there are several important factors to consider. As with any footwear, comfort is my first priority. Part of comfort is warmth, so that’s another very important consideration. Wet feet equal cold, uncomfortable feet, so if your winters are rainy and wet, look for boots that are waterproof. Falling on an icy surface is a very real risk where I live and I don’t want to end up breaking a hip or a wrist, so soles that provide good traction are essential. Thankfully, there are plenty of fashionable boots that tick all these boxes. I do have a couple of pairs of ankle boots that are less practical, but I’m very careful when and where I wear those.
As with any footwear, keeping your boots clean and in good condition is part of looking put together. Using a water-repellant spray will help protect them from water, stains, and dirt.
So, now that winter is upon us, don’t forget that you can stay warm and still look good even when you’re out in the cold.
Today’s Fashion Friday post is later than usual because we’ve been having internet woes. Fortunately, they appear to have been resolved, at least for the moment, so let’s get this out there before something goes wrong again!
Our beautiful fall weather is rapidly disappearing and winter is on the horizon. It’s time to begin bringing out winter coats and boots. As I thought about doing that, I decided that this week would be a good time to purge my wardrobe of some of the jackets and coats that have been taking up closet space and not being worn. I decided to take a similar approach to 
It’s still winter here on the Canadian prairie and will be for a couple more months, but when February rolls around I always begin to think about spring. Today, let’s take a look at 11 fashion trends for the season that lies ahead. I must be getting old as I’ve seen many of them come and go before. In fact, this season looks very much like a 1970s rerun!
Plaid is really a returning trend from last fall and winter, but this year’s reinvention includes plaids in wild colours, head to toe plaid, and mixing plaids. Similarly, while animal prints are an enduring trend and are usually considered a neutral, this season you can also expect to see neon zebra and garishly coloured leopard prints. If you want either a plaid or an animal print to have enduring value though, opt for a more traditional look that you’ll be able to wear for years.
Following Augustine 