Winter Essentials 2007
[ 24 September 2007 ]
Oh, sweet peaches in the northern hemisphere, I haven’t forgotten about you! Just like the Summer Essentials list, here are some things you might want to invest in for the chilly months…
Tartan, argyle, check & houndstooth
It’s winter, therefore these patterns are essential, even if the temperature where you live barely drops. You’ll look totally classic & appropriate. If you don’t dig being “appropriate”, then mix it up with ripped stockings, big boots or teased hair. Try wearing a tartan scarf, a cute little kilt or a houndstooth coat. Just avoid head-to-toe Burberry check, since it’s un peu Chavvy!
A striped umbrella Let’s face it, you’re going to need an umbrella. Instead of dragging around that awful multicoloured thing slapped with a realtor’s logo, why not upgrade & get something that makes you feel chic & put together? Get a little bit Edward Gorey on it & go hunting for a striped umbrella — they aren’t common but they look immaculate. Fabuleux.
Hot water bottle
Preferably in “your colour”. Mine is turquoise, for example, & matches a lot of my clothing. This can be a saviour on freezing cold days when you have to commute to work. Just take your hot water bottle with you, it will make you much happier. People will think you are strange, toting a hot water bottle around in public, but they probably thought that anyway, & who really cares? You’re warm & they’re not. Case closed.
An inviting bedIf you’re going to hibernate, you might as well do it in style. Buying new bed linen is one of life’s great joys. Most people keep the same duvet covers & pillowcases for huge amounts of time. It makes such a difference to the atmosphere of a room & the quality of napping that it is absolutely worth the investment. While you’re at it, why not buy a really fluffy, marshmallow-reminiscent duvet & magnificent pillows? Why not, indeed?
Yoga classes
It’s so easy to sloth it up in winter, but a little bit of physical exercise will make you feel incredible. I love Ashtanga yoga, but Bikram yoga is practised in a hot room, perfect for cold weather! If you’ve never tried it before, please do — it is amazing. Plus, every time I leave, I feel like I’m walking on a cloud. P.S. Wow.
Oxfords I love, love, love high-heeled Oxfords, especially these ones by Bally. Oxfords are one catwalk look that you are definitely going to see on the street this season. While I am not usually an advocate of a clunky heel, with an Oxford it works. Wear with a short skirt, opaque black stockings & your hair in a bun for maximum effect. (Put a pencil through the bun for instant headmistress style.)
Wool stockings
I like Levante & Jonathan Aston. Wool stockings tend to be quite a bit more expensive than the normal sort, but they are 100% worth the investment. You only need a couple of pairs, they’re difficult to ruin, & they will keep you incredibly warm.
A vintage typewriterThere is nothing like an old typewriter to spice up your decor. Even if you’re not a writer, old machinery & allusions to literary greatness are hot. There is a great satisfaction that comes from using a typewriter to write stories, poems, letters or to-do lists, not to mention, the printed word is very sexy. Anna Piaggi (famed fashion writer) has used a bright red Olivetti since 1969, & I personally have been dying for an Olivetti Valentine (pictured) for years. Drool.
A library card
Start making a list of books you want to read this winter. Then start ordering them in through your local library. Your branch may not have the tome you’re looking for, but another one probably will, so put it on order if you can! I am a geek & do most of my library research online — then I only have to trot down to pick up the books I want. They usually charge a teeny fee for reservations, but it’s worth it. Then get your hands on a nice bookmark, stack them next to your spruced-up bed, & get to work!
Other honourable mentions:
A faux fur muff (I refuse to put myself through the trauma of sourcing a picture!), a big window with a sweeping view, a colourful pashmina or scarf, hot chocolate, regular doses of good Thai food, white fairy lights, cherry red nailpolish & rich red lipstick, a faux fur throw for your bed or couch, good cashmere sweaters, Diptyque candles, quirky socks & a big cardigan which doubles as outerwear.
Super-love & cupcakes,
Gala
Tags: aesthetic,
consumption,
inspiration,
life,
style tips Share this! + Email This + Del.icio.us
+ Facebook
+ Stumbleupon
+ Technorati
Comment
Read more tagged aesthetic...
Things I Love Thursday Summer Essentials 2007 Happy Birthday To Me! Equestrian Chic Things I Love Thursday Corset Remix Things I Love Thursday Dissecting Men's Style
Read more tagged consumption...
Summer Essentials 2007 Skinny Bitch -- Book Review Daily Outfit -- 14th September 2007 Equestrian Chic Daily Outfit -- 7th September 2007 Fragrance Frenzy Kimono Love! DELIGHT or SMITE? (September)
Read more tagged inspiration...
Things I Love Thursday How Can I Make My Travelling Dreams A Reality? Size Vanity Summer Essentials 2007 Things I Love Thursday Wardrobe Taming -- Day Five Happy Birthday To Me! Equestrian Chic
Read more tagged life...
How Can I Make My Travelling Dreams A Reality? Size Vanity Summer Essentials 2007 Is Your Lover Good For You? How To Be The Life Of The Party (Podcast) Going Crazy Virginity Quote of the Day -- 5th September 2007
Read more tagged style tips...
Summer Essentials 2007 Style Tips -- 20th August 2007 DELIGHT or SMITE? (June) Style Tips -- 10th May 2007 Top 5 Ways To Define Your Own Personal Style Living It Up At Burning Man Style Tips -- 7th April 2007 Style Tips -- 8th March 2007
oooh, I so want a striped umbrella! I’ll have to look out for one. My color wheel umbrella from MoMA died, and since then I’ve been using a nice-ish one from the local NPR station. But I need a new investment umbrella, and stripes! Brilliant!
As a die-hard winter lover, I have this fantasy of following winter all around the globe. Then I could wear faux fur coats, Edwardian button-up boots and Russian Red lipstick all year! I’m pretty much in love with the umbrella, the boots AND the typewriter…. Just call me the Snow Queen.
I braved the porn and found you a peekture of a faux fur muff….
http://acmoore.com/Files/ProjectFiles/1190/Images/MediumImage.jpg
oh mi gosh!!! i love those shoesies!!!
and that typewriter is sooo pretty!!!
i want it all!! :)
As a southern hemisperian, I’ve been gagging for summer for, well, all of winter!! But after that, now i want it back!!! That typewriter would look pretty schmick in a summer beach house too tho i’m thinking…
I love that bedroom! It’s absolutely gorgeous!
Yay! You didn’t forget about us!
I’ve been wanting a pair of Oxfords for SO SO long now…and some t-straps, for that matter.
But, thanks for the winter weather must haves. I’m so ready for scarves, hot chocolate, and a fire. sigh
typewriters are the best. i’m always finding them in op shops and then being horribly disappointed when i find out they don’t work.
almost makes me wish it was winter again XD
I love this list! Being in Edinburgh, it’ll come in handy very soon. I especially agree about carrying a hot water bottle. I bought one last autumn (from Topshop), with a big heart on the cover, and although I haven’t had the guts to take it out yet I have appreciated it very much at home.
Also, that bed looks sublime.
Get LOTS of umbrellas! In all beautiful colours and patterns. It’s a fabulous way to enject some colour into an outfit.
Also, on the hot water bottle front… I like to fill my drink bottle with hot water and snuggle that. By the time you get to work/school/heaven it’s often cool enough to drink, and even if it’s not, warm water is better for your body and not so bad in winter.
I did recently venture out with a hot water bottle. I slipped it under my jacket (it looked like I had a little wobbly pot belly). It was nice but it would occasionally gurgle loudly! Many strange looks from shopkeepers.
I’m so glad you wrote this! I’m not a big fan of winter, so anything that makes me look forward to it even a little is brightening my day!
and a good friend or a boyfriend to cuddle up to, to keep warm.
And cupcakes!!!
Am so happy I finally tracked down a place that makes FABULOUS cupcakes in London – Buttercup, it just opened in Kensington.
I love your winter list :) I am also going to test-drive elbow length gloves this season. Never tried them before, but if they work – I will be stylish and super-warm! Yay.
Oooh thanks for this list! I’m no fashion enthusiast and my clothing budget is pretty low, but I think I’ll actually invest in some of the items you mentioned. In particular, I’m happy to obey on hot chocolate :D
Fantastic list! Funnily enough, I’ve been meaning to join the library, I’m in great need of a new bed, a vintage typewriter has been on my shopping list all summer and I’m keeping an eye out for Oxfords on eBay…and the rest! Now that’s just spooky! x
Gala!
You’re in luck… if you have the money, there’s one for sale on eBay.
It’s quite expensive when you add the postage, but stillll.
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Olivetti-Valentine-Typewriter-Ettore- SOTTSASS-King_W0QQitemZ250167065045QQihZ015QQcategoryZ6 7098QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
I also recommend a cozy knit hat like the one I purchased yesterday. Not only do I feel very Parisian in it, but my constantly cold ears no longer have to suffer!
That typewriter is worth selling your soul for. Beautiful.
My winter reading list rivals my summer one. Only I am rather afraid to hit the town library, because they might then figure out that I have had David Eggers’ “What is the What” out since July 2nd. Oops.
Stay cool,
Sarah Decay
Oh my gosh, I totally do the hot water bottle thing. On really cold days I take it shopping, to rehersals and even one time to a party. Dressed up to the nines with my hot water bottle! I got a couple of wierd looks from strangers, but all of my mates are eccentric artists so they tend not to think anything of odd habits.
Also if anyone ever mentioned it to me, my response was always something along the lines of ‘You’re cold, and I’m toasty. Who’s got the better deal?’
Winter wear is so pretty because winter weather is so miserable. :( But I just purchased a faux fur muff, stole, and collar set from Coquette Faux Furriers, and they’re so pretty and toasty warm! So I’m almost looking forward to colder weather just to wear them.
Anyway, I agree with the list whole heartedly! I can’t believe I never thought of that hot water bottle thing. I look weird to most people anyway, and warmth is definitely worth it.
This list is making me so anxious for the cool-weather! Our weather is like, at 27 Celcius (in Sept?! What is Global Warming doing to our world?!)
You forgot to mention yummy bath or shower stuff, and an amazing moisturizer.
I agree with Retro.Bunny, but sure enough Winter will hit us square in the face, when we least expect it!!
I love, love, love the oxfords. They’re gorgeous!
Thanks so much! I have vintage typewriter, it’s so awesome problem is the letters are in arabic. It looks pretty though!
The weather here (East Coast of the United States) is really bothersome at the moment – in the mornings it’s a nice 3 or 4 degrees centagrade, but by noon it’s reached to 20 degrees! This list ‘tis amazing, but mny favourite part of fall/winter is the waistcoats. I think I have five differnt styles in my waredorm, each in a different colour, and I love them all. Anyway, I am in love with those Oxford shoes. I really can’t wait to get some and wear them with my “grandfather” sweater, quirky knee-high stockings, and long strings of beads. _ The umbrella is very cute, I love the hooked handle (mine at the moment has a just a flat grip-thingy and a loop of beads so one can wear it about the wrist). Thank you for this list, and all the good ideas it brings.
Lovelovelove the houndstooth. I’m not usually one to put clothing on my dog, but last winter was really chilly so he got to wear a houndstooth coat when we went walking in the snow. This year it’s my goal to find a houndstooth coat in my size (although I won’t be matching with him any more than this, I swear). It will work well with those oxfords you showed, too. :-D
THIS hot chocolate is amazing... Dagoba Xocolatl organic drinking chocolate with chilies and cinnamon. It’s a bit too spicy for me full-strength so I mix it with regular hot chocolate and add milk and extra cinnamon. The most amazing perfect warming drink for winter… purr…
http://www.dagobachocolate.com/shop/product.php?productid=20&cat=3&page=1
my umbrella secret is ebay! you can search anything: purple, striped, edwardian, vintage, clear, 60s, etc and something will come up…
and those shoes, drool, yes… have you seen these???
♥
Good post for the winter essentials!!! I definitely need a new comforter for my bed before it starts getting colder. In the last few days I’ve been doing a little online browsing for some fall and winter clothes. I was on Lord & Taylor’s website and really liked some of their fall lines. They’re having some pretty good sales too. I really need to get some shopping done soon. Fall is already here!
I think the hot water bottle idea is EXCELLENT! Thanks!
yessssss
i agree with all of these and have about 75%. i am so excited for fall and winter (even though i live in california)!
i’ve been crocheting legwarmers and scarves all weekend. and drinking tea. :D
OMG, that umbrella is AMAZING!!! I LOVE Edward Gorey. I MUST have it; too bad it’s out of stock. :(
I so need a new umbrella. The one I have at the moment is Looney Tunes and breaks in half sometimes. Hideous. Luckily it hasn’t had to come out of my bag since I’ve started carrying it – after my beloved Snoopy umbrella broke…twice.
Thanks for the umbrella tip Kristin!
Omygosh – Nadia –
me too! winter is my favorite, i hate putting away my sweaters and mittens! i too dream of following winter around the globe, so maybe we will bump into each other regularly!
and Gala – i’m a huge fan of wool stockings. they are the only kind i don’t destroy. i have had my fave pair of black wool stockings for 5 years now, and they are almost the same as when i bought them. regular stockings don’t last more than 6 months in my active lifestyle…
thanks for the links for where to buy more of them!
the opoponax — Yay! I hope you get a fabulous one. I actually don’t have a striped one, but I do have a clear one, a white one with a bunny face & EARS, & a pink one with a princess popping out of the top… They suit me for now!
Nadia — You are so cute. I think I like the idea of winter but the reality is not so much fun. I get easily irritated by having to wear layers & defend myself against the cold, & I am freezing all the time, boo!
Audrey — Thank you darling ;D
jessabee — Me too!
LizN — That typewriter would look boss ANYWHERE. In my old apartment, I used to just have them on display all over the place. (http://galadarling.com/article/apartment-living-the-single-gal !)
Sarah — Me too! It’s a “shabby chic” bedroom from Rachel Ashwell’s collection of fabrics etc., so well done.
Brittany — How could I ever forget about you?! Mwah! I want t-straps too… & more mary janes… I found a pair of BLUE patent mary janes in a New Zealand magazine recently & I am dying to own them, but don’t know how I’m going to get my hands on them! Argh!
bluebird — You should buy them anyway, they make good ornaments!
Jess — Hee, me too, but not quite!
Alice — Aw, heart hot water bottle! That’s so cute. I used to take mine to work with me, because our office was freezing & I didn’t want to work in a coat & gloves!
Maddy — Haha, cute. I kind of like holding a hot water bottle on my stomach too, it’s all sloshy & cool ;>
Helen — It was my pleasure, treasure!
gilda — Well, yes. Or a dog!!
Ammu — Cupcakes are an essential of ANY season, you should know this! ;> Yay for good cupcakes though, they can be hard to find! You will have to take me there when I next visit old London town.
Ajda K — Hot chocolate has fueled me alllllll season. I live really close to a Max Brenner chocolate cafe & there are specialty chocolate shops all over the place in Melbourne, I have been totally spoilt for choice!
Georgi — Awesome, glad to give you some impetus!
elizamolly — Hmm, too much for me I’m afraid. One sold in Melbourne for about $100 AU recently, so I know they’re out there!
Sarah Decay — Anything which covers the ears is a good call, keeps you so warm! Naughty book borrower, I am bad like that too. My boyfriend once went to the library to pay my fines as a favour, & they were about $180… Ouch!
Damsel — Hahaha, that is fantastic. Yay for you!
Chesney — Your muff, stole & collar sound amazing, you’ll be the most stylish girl in town no doubt!
Retro.Bunny — Ahh, there are so many things I could have mentioned! I agree with you though, good bathing items & moisturiser definitely make winter more tolerable.
Zainab — An arabic typewriter, that’s so cool! I am insanely jealous!
Crinaeae — Your Oxford outfit sounds awesome, I’d love to see a picture when you accomplish it! I like waistcoats too, I actually found this really weird waistcoat which is like… a cross between a waistcoat & braces, which I am thinking of buying. It would look really cool over a plain t-shirt.
amanda lee — If I had a dog, I would totally dress it up. I know it is mad obnoxious but how can anyone RESIST? (I also decided last night that if I had a dog, I would call it Edith.)
Amy — Yum, that sounds SO good!
Kristin — Clever!! Good tip honey!
Cannon — I have a tip for you, which is not so helpful now but will be later. Buy your winter stuff in summer & vice versa. At the moment in Australia everyone is having crazy sales of winter weight duvets, flannelette sheets, etc. They’re less than half price in some cases. Just takes a little forethought ;>
Charsi — No problem :D
rachel — Does anyone in California ever need to wear a scarf? Or is it for style points only?!
Ruth — I’m sure it will come back into stock at some point… keep the page bookmarked, &/or email them about it!
Lady Julianne Eternity — Yeah, through Ebay I’m sure you could get the umbrella of your dreams!
Molli Fire — A girl I went to school with used to wear wool stockings with her uniform, such a good idea, they keep you so much warmer!
Umbrella of my dreams? Pfft. I’ve given up on the idea of a single perfect umbrella. I want multiples! I found the next one on eBay already!
i too have been covetting an Olivetti Valentine ! i found one last month at a vintage store near my house.. It had only been used a few times and looked brand new..It was hidden under a little 1970’s table and I think my heart skipped a beat when i saw it! And then my heart sunk when i saw the price.. $350! My mum told me if i really really wanted it, she would go back and Buy me it for Christmas..so who knows I may just Get one afterall!
I used to take a hot water bottle to school On winter days and just stick it up under my school jumper or sit it in my lap! I was toasty warm all day long..of course i had to re-fill it in the Canteen at lunch, I named mine Alfred and drew a face on him and everything.