Wear your wardrobe all year round: Mastering the art of effortless cold-weather elegance

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One of the joys of living in the UK is that we have warm sunny summers and chilly winters – so you can experience the full spectrum of seasons. However, it does mean that we probably need completely different clothes for each part of the year.

This week, I’ve been getting the urge to stow away my summer dresses and light tops and dig out those snuggly jumpers – yes, even the festive knits! But, what’s the point of having a wardrobe full of lovely clothes if you can’t wear 50% of them for half the year?

If you still want to wear your colourful dresses and sheer tops when the cold weather comes, it’s easy to master the art of cold-weather elegance – you just need to make sure you’re warm enough while wearing them.

Under layers

The best way to do this is to layer up with long sleeve tops. Choose one that’s close-fitting to the body so that it won’t add any bulk underneath your dress or blouse. Even though the fabric might be fine, the warming effect will still be there as it’s about trapping air between the layers to insulate you.

You can choose pure cotton layers for a breathable feel or when the temperature drops even further, thicker thermal items or pieces with a soft brushed effect inside will keep you feeling extra snuggly in your light summer dress.

This means you can keep all those pretty dresses in your wardrobe through the colder seasons and still wear them as often as you like, allowing you to get better value out of your clothing investments and meaning you don’t have to buy a whole new wardrobe each season.

Instead, adding just a few extra pieces can make all the difference. I chose a high-necked, close-fitting top to layer under my shirt dresses so that I can still wear the collar open but stay snug with the roll neck beneath it.

I think floral and patterned dresses look particularly good when layered. You can pick out a colour from the pattern – a pastel pink or a rich purple perhaps – and wear tops in that colour beneath your dress for a coordinated look.

According to Jules Standish’s book ‘A Colourful Dose of Optimism’, wearing colours and patterns is important for boosting your mood. With so many winter clothing items in the grey-black-navy palette, your clothing choices may impact your wellbeing during the darker months.

After reading her book, I certainly felt better when I implemented her advice and added plenty of pops of colour to my wardrobe. So, why not keep out those vibrant pieces and fun patterns for a little injection of happiness but add a darker long-sleeved top beneath those items to make them winter-ready in an instant?

Also, wearing a lightweight blouse over a toasty long-sleeved top actually helps to bring extra elegance to your ensemble; sheer fabric or a lacy finish feels even more opulent when worn in the winter. If you add a slinky cami layer beneath it instead of the long sleeves, your airy top will transform into a glamorous piece that’s ideal for nights out, too.

Over layers

Of course, you can always layer up with something snuggly over the top of your outfit. This often adds bulk if you’re choosing a jumper or cardigan but at least it’ll ensure you’ll be cosy enough to continue wearing those light dresses and tops throughout the chilly weather.

I especially love layering collared blouses and shirts underneath plain, fine-knit jumpers. It creates a graceful Peter Pan-style neckline that’s smart enough for work. Plus, it means you can keep those light summery tops in your wardrobe throughout the cold season and feel the joy of adding a vibrant patterned blouse to your outfit on the darkest days.

If you’re planning winter outfits for work, you can easily add a smart layer with a blazer at this time of year. I think a textured or tweed blazer looks gorgeously autumnal, while a sleek black blazer can elevate any top or dress for elegant evenings out.

That said, the lighter colours we associate with summer clothing are here to stay. According to The Trend Spotter, one of the top 10 fashion trends from the autumn/winter 2023 fashion weeks is wearing beige and cream colours with metallics. The article also mentions wearing pastels for a nostalgic girlie aesthetic, possibly inspired by the Barbie movie, so I’m keeping my pink summer tops out for winter.

I’ve previously shared some ideas for creating 4 looks from one light denim shirt – so have a read of that blog post for more inspiration for layering up with jumpers, jackets, dresses and scarves.

Layering up legs

Also, don’t forget to add thick tights, or even thermal leggings, beneath your dresses and skirts to make them winter-ready. The extra layer will keep your legs toasty and will let you continue wearing your warm-weather outfits throughout the year.

Plus, you can add a pair of knee-high boots which will bring an extra layer of warmth, again trapping the insulating air, to your calves. And, if you fancy wearing a mini dress for a night out, you could even go for thigh-high boots for a party-ready look that’ll keep you cosy too.

Do you remember the 90s trend for layering skirts over trousers? I’ve seen this look coming back in recent months so that’s another option for keeping your legs warm this winter. If you choose similar-colour trousers beneath the skirt, it’ll create a tonal effect that looks deliberate – like the skirt and trousers are all one outfit.

On Instagram, the @DuchessofThrift Heidi Ondrak shares regular videos with ideas for layering up outfits. She often uses summer pieces throughout the autumn and winter so that’s a great place to go for inspiration for your own ensembles.

I hope these ideas will help you to continue using your wardrobe all year round and master the art of cold-weather dressing. What tips do you have for using your summer clothing out of season? Any interesting layering options you’ve discovered? Let me know in the comments below, I’d love to hear your winter wardrobe hacks.

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