Winter-proof your Wardrobe: Advent Calendar Round up I
As promised in Introducing: The INTO MIND Advent Calendar, here is a quick round up of all tips and mini assignments that were sent out in the past week. This first week was all about winter-proofing your wardrobe: How to figure out your winter wardrobe essentials, refine your seasonal style concept and have fun with your look despite freezing cold temperatures, icy wind and short days. Thank you all for your lovely feedback and questions. Keep them coming!
Preview for week 2
December is THE special occasion month. Whether it's Christmas, New year's or a holiday party at the office, you probably have at least one big, exciting event to go to this month. Week 2 will be all about preparing for that one special event: How to create a concept for your look, choose main pieces, accessories, fine-tune, etc.
The first tip of week 2 will be sent out tonight at 6pm CET. If you want to follow the daily tips and assignments, you can still sign up here via email or just like INTO MIND on Facebook. I will of course also be posting all tips as a round up next week here on the blog.
Day 1 | Reflection Time
Welcome to the INTO MIND Advent calendar! Let’s jump right into this week’s topic: how to winter-proof your wardrobe. My idea of the perfect winter wardrobe is one that allows me to express my personal style, but does not leave me absolutely freezing cold the minute I step outside or away from the radiator. Over the years I’ve learnt what works (cozy wool knits, lots of layers, high-quality gloves) and what doesn’t (anything synthetic, non-waterproof shoes) for me during the wintertime. What’s your idea of a perfect winter wardrobe? What fabrics do you like, what colours, which types of fit? Think back to previous winters: What items proved invaluable, which ones did you never end up wearing? Make sure you write down all of your thoughts and ideas so you can refer back to them.
Further Reading
Fall Wardrobe Updates: The Complete Guide
November Wardrobe Challenge: Function
Does your Wardrobe fit your Lifestyle?
(image via Style Saint)
Day 2 | Get Inspired
You know me, I’m all about form + function. Sure, your winter wardrobe should keep you warm, but never at the expense of your style. For today, focus on the form aspect of your winter wardrobe and get inspired: Set a timer for 20 minutes, then go on Pinterest and find as many stylish examples of chic winter looks as possible. Always keep your own style and lifestyle in mind and make a note of any elements you could see yourself wearing this year. How about a thick shearling coat like Catherine Deneuve’s? Check out the links below for more ideas on finding and utilizing inspiration.
Further Reading
How to Dissect your Mood Board and Refine your Personal Style
(image via Hannas Room)
Day 3 | Winter Essentials
Let’s get practical today: What are your absolute must-have items for this winter? A coat, gloves, a knitted scarf, sturdy boots, thick knit sweaters? Make a list of everything and distinguish between ‘must have - would freeze to death otherwise’ (e.g. at least one winter coat) and ‘nice to have’ (e.g. a second pair of gloves). Next, write down some ideas for items you still need to buy: Which functional elements should they have, what colour, which fabric, etc. Key question: When does it tend to get super cold in your country, i.e. by what date should you have organised all of your must-have winter gear? Here in Berlin it’s usually already pretty cold in November, but the mid of December is when winter truly arrives. Aim to have implemented your shopping list by that date at the latest.
Further Reading
Wardrobe Essentials: How to Build a Solid Foundation of Basics
Building a Capsule Wardrobe from Scratch: An Example
(image via Serhat Isik)
Day 4 | Layering
Want to know the secret to wearing your fall wardrobe all the way through the winter season? Layering. Each year I stock up on thin layering tops and tights/leggings to wear underneath my regular fall wardrobe: all my knits, favourite longsleeve shirts, jeans, skirts and dresses. The more layers the better: two thin tops worn underneath a sweater will keep you much warmer than a single, thicker shirt plus the sweater, because what isolates is not necessarily the fabric itself but the body heat that gets trapped between each layer. So don’t store away all of your t-shirts, strappy tops and thinner shirts for the winter season! Organise them into a little “layering” wardrobe section for easy access. If you don’t have enough thin tops or tights with layering potential in your wardrobe, check out the Heattech range by Uniqlo. All of their items are super thin, so you can really pile on the layers.
(image via Vogue Paris)
Day 5 | Experimental Elements
The winter weather might not be the easiest to dress for but it does open up a whole new range of sartorial options. Now is the time to wear thick cable knit sweaters, cozy winter coats and fabrics like velvet, corduroy, suede ... so embrace it! What do you want to try out this winter? A burgundy lip colour + bare lashes, a classic cashmere piece or high-quality leather gloves? Pick at least two new elements to incorporate into your wardrobe this winter season. If you need more ideas, refer back to the inspiration you found on day two of this Advent calendar. My two experimental elements for this winter season are pure wool fabrics and a deep plum-y lip colour. What are yours?
Further Reading
Dissecting Mood Boards into Individual Elements: An Example
Refine your Style and Upgrade your Wardrobe: 20 Quick-Fix Ideas
(image: Zuhair Murad Haute Couture S/S '13)
Day 6 | Housekeeping
A seasonal wardrobe turnover always comes with a certain amount of housekeeping. Try to free up a bit of time this weekend (about half an hour should be enough) to do any combination of the following: Put off-season items into storage (anything that you definitely won’t wear this winter, like bikinis or summer dresses), handle repairs, check whether any wardrobe essentials need to be replaced, shuffle important item categories to the front of your closet (like knit sweaters), clean and treat your shoes, deep clean handbags. While you are at it also do a mini detox: Take every item that you have not worn for the past year out of your closet and either sell it, give it away, throw it out or store it in a box under your bed for a trial separation.
Further Reading
A year in style: How to maintain your wardrobe throughout the year
(image via The Urban Showroom)
Day 7 | Test-Drive
The last step of this week’s topic: taking your new and improved winter wardrobe out for a little test-drive. Try on as many different outfits as you can, experiment with new combinations and note down your favourites. Re-read this guide on the four methods of building outfits and challenge yourself to create some looks using an approach you’re not as familiar with. Pay attention to details: your hair and make up, whether you tuck in hemlines or roll up sleeves - all these little things can have a big impact on the overall look of your outfit. So: Experiment, tweak and polish.
Further Reading
Method Dressing: Adding and Subtracting
20 Pieces 20 Outfits - Fall Edition
(image via Vogue Spain)