2.01.2013

january essentials

a bitterly cold and blustery January means i've been living in dependable winter workhorses: my giant Acne wool scarf, heavy-duty parkacozy stripey knits, indigo skinnies, and favorite LR boots (more colors).

how's winter where you are? what are your essentials right now?

P.S.: commenter Wendy asked about where to find great knits - right now there are a ton of lovely Vince cashmere and wool knits on major sale

26 comments:

  1. You always seem to have the perfect coats. Just recently I purchased the leopard coat. It came and I love it. Last year I also purchased the Spiewak Parka. I'm so glad I did! It has kept me so warm in this bitterly cold weather. My next purchase will be the Barbour jacket. I've been happy with all your recommendations. Thank you.

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  2. A sturdy wool pullover and my new Ugg adirondack boots for the slush and snow. I would be afraid of damaging nice boots because Toronto heavily salts their sidewalks and roads. I've also started wearing long-underwear again. As much as I hate them, my legs would freeze thanks to the biting Arctic wind that sweeps across the city nearly every other day!

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    1. ooh i have uniqlo to go to for any thermal underlayer needs. luckily it hasn't come to that yet!

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  3. Winter has been bi-polar where I am! Some day it's 60s next day it's 40s! Essentials right now in the current Tundra-like weather is aside from my wool coat is none other than my thick houndstooth scarf to keep my neck warm, wool fedora, and my ear warmers!

    fauxionista.com

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  4. It snowed, it went, it came back again, went the next day, warmed up and right now it's cold again. You should never ask someone who lives in England about the weather! We love to talk about the weather. And what have I been wearing? Similar to your above on the warmer days (yup) and then trussed up like a black pudding on the really bitter days in my black padded coat with furry trapper hat. I sacrifice style for warmth in my old age. It's not pretty :o(

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    1. haha! after a certain subzero point it's all about survival really. ;)

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  5. I hate to say this as I do enjoy summer, but I kinda cant wait to start layering up in the winter time. For me, I've found the month of January to be a mix of silky tops and t-shirts worn with my array of skirts, probably something that will continue into Feb!

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    1. silky tops and t-shirts sounds exactly like what i'd like to wear right now, with a knit on top of course! :)

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  6. Haha! I look very similar to you in these photos actually :) Only difference is my parka is a chocolate brown and I've been wearing my black knee high Seychelles boots (years and years old).

    I finally succumbed to the flu last week and it was dreadful but I'm feeling on the mend. Its also warming up a bit here (40s) but that means more rain. Oh well, at least the days are getting longer! Hope you have a great rest of the weekend.

    PS - I've been eyeing the ASOS leopard coat you've recommended. How does the faux fur feel to the touch? Any shedding issues or quality concerns? I'm not expecting top notch quality but would like to know it will make it through a year of wear at least! Thanks!

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    1. oh no! the flu has been so bad this year. i'm glad you're feeling better!

      the leopard coat is actually pretty fantastic, the faux fur feels super fine and silky, as i mentioned in my original post it really resembles haircalf more than a faux fur (it definitely doesn't look 'furry' if you know what i mean, which is a good thing!). no shedding or other issues. the lining is the only thing that's a little 'meh' but i might just get that replaced with a nicer fabric with my tailor.

      all in all, it's an item i would have paid full price for given all its homerun elements, but at 70% or so off right now it's a DEFINITE winner. let me know if you get it! :)

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    2. Yes! The leopard coat came in this week and its FAB! Exceeded my expectations actually (which doesn't happen that often). Very pleased. Thanks for the great recommendation :)

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  7. I know, it's been SO cold in New York, and I just want to stay inside on the weekends. I've been wearing my canada goose parka + jil sander shearling boots everyday because they're my warmest items. AND there are still one or two more months of cold! Ugh, need a vacation to somewhere warm.

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    1. your winter combo sounds perfect! i've seen those canada goose parkas everywhere and they look SO luxe and warm. and we are definitely kindred spirits when it comes to boots and ankle boots :D

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  8. I really love your outfit, chic yet effective for the purpose. As another UK resident you can imagine the to-ing and fro-ing with the weather. When it was subzero and snowing, I layered up but with only 4 layers max including my coat. Each layer was not too thick either but effective to reduce the dreaded bulk. I find tights, wool skirts/dresses and leather knee boots warmest and only revert to jeans during the thaw or milder spells together with the wellington boots to cope with the slush and rain. A beret, leather gloves and big cashmere scarf that can be wrapped 3 times around my neck are also essential. I used to detest the freezing cold but not since I got the appropriate clothes and accessories :-)

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  9. you look great here. hmmm planning to do one of my own now... haha we'll see.

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  10. No winter essentials for me, but I've been trying out the Malin Goetz detox mask and it's shockingly effective in keeping my skin clear. Need to test for a few more months to see if it's just a fluke though, or a potential essential.

    I love your boots - the right shade of caramel!

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    1. thanks lin! good to know about the M+G mask...

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  11. Les Essentials:

    GIANT parka--no really, I look like the fisherman from 'I Know What You Did Last Summer'
    heavy scarf
    Barbour fingerless gloves--misplaced one of these and am distraught
    heavy knit--rotating a navy guernsey sweater and a soft grey cashmere one weekly
    wood wood dd33s in vintage
    uniqlo heattech socks
    shearling no. 6 boots
    leather backpack or crossbody bag so I can be handsfree (to put my hands in my pockets!)

    C'est tout :)

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    1. i need some fingerless gloves too! your essentials look perfect :)

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  12. Chic and practical! The whether has been apocalyptic in the UK recently, haven't left my house without my angora beanie hat and uniqlo heat tech polo neck!

    http://herribbonsandherbows.blogspot.co.uk/

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  13. Love the striped top, I wish wool/cashmere blend sweaters were easier to find! "Winter" in California means 60+ degree days, but it still gets chilly at night, so dark skinny jeans, ankle boots, button-ups, my marbled brown grandpa sweater from zara that I wear far too much, and my trusty AA circle scarf are my staples.

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    1. Wendy! i just updated my post for you - there are so many great sale gems right now :D

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    2. thank you!! I've got my eye on this one in heather grey:

      http://www.shopbop.com/shirt-tail-boatneck-cashmere-sweater/vp/v=1/845524441951997.htm?folderID=2534374302023887&fm=other-shopbysize-viewall&colorId=10495

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  14. Oh dear... I'm experiencing a new feeling. A mixture of "pride" because I (almost) stopped badgering myself for wearing the same things over and over again and anxiety because I just can't be bothered.
    It's one parka or the other depending on the temperatures, at least one is army green so I can tell the difference, a knit (or severals), cashmere for extremities (head /neck, hands and feet), slim/bootcut dark trousers, sturdy high heeled boots and voilà.
    Thank God for week-ends when I wear the same combination but with my otk boots, at least I feel baddassier.
    So basically on days off, I'm wearing what you're wearing... I need more (winter) stripes! It's a really cute top.

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  15. Hi!Good call on knits. Vince does good quality knits at a good value and some interesting cuts. Love your January uniform:)

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