What to Wear.. in January.

We work out what to wear for the trickiest of situations.

    
WELCOME TO 2010 MY FASHION-FORWARD FRIENDS!

The days are getting longer, but January is usually a dark, dank month so hit the sales for something to lift the mood. If you know your proportions well enough, (my feet are dead on size five and my top half will always fit a small) internet shopping is a good bet for a cheap pick-me-up. Even if you are not prepared to take the risk with clothes, accessories are a safe bet as the price of winter warmers such as hats, scarves and hosiery comes tumbling down.

Wrap up warm this January. My bargain, six pound, charity shop, faux fur coat keeps out the chill and the large collar negates the need for a scarf. 

I love Zara's extensive winter collection and the website is wonderfully slick. Scroll through the catalogue to find macs, leather jackets, trench coats and everything in between.

A fun and instant way to update for the New Year is makeup. Bright lipstick stands out in the crowd so dare to wear it during the day, keeping the lips matt to avoid looking overdone. Boots N^o 7 range does great lipsticks in a variety of shades and finishes with colours ranging from tangerine orange to raspberry red. I loitered for twenty minutes before opting for the pinky perfection of Forever Cherry.

Layering is key (and essential for those of us who refuse to heat our homes i.e. students.) Pick up some thin long-sleeved tees to wear underneath summery tops. Shorts need not be consigned to the summer. Many of my fellow bloggers are fans of opaque black tights under a pair of battered denims with long socks and chunky boots. Cute and warm, an excellent combination. 

When all else fails, hibernate.  

Look Featuring: Rose Long Sleeve Pointelle, 80'S Blue Cheeky Short, H By Hudson Francoise Studded Detail Flat Boot, Fringed Square Cashmere Scarf Grey, David Lerner Footed Leggings in Black and Grey.

Written by Katherine Cliffe.

Why Did We Ever Wear The 'Skouser'?

Oh how foolish we were!

We all enjoy a trouser. We all enjoy a skirt. So why not go mad and slam the two together? NO, don't do it. Do not succumb to the ‘skouser’! But we did, didn't we! Back in the day.

I myself latched on to this fad like the Tammy Girl fashion victim I was. It seemed like the perfect ensemble; a little curtain to dress up a lonely trouser, whilst being TOTALLY on trend at the same time. Was I blind? Maybe I thought I’d cracked the art of layering? Or maybe I had just had enough of swooshing around town with my tent like poncho? This was a skirt trouser revolution!

You can imagine my shock when my post '90s self came upon these delights once more in a far corner of Topshop Boutique? What does this mean?! Are the higher powers of fashion really telling us to embrace this hideous ‘trend’ once more? Fair enough, this updated creation was no longer in bootcut school-uniform style, rather a tight little bodycon skirt skimming a skinny trouser. Fashion seems so go round in circles so maybe the era of skouser is set to have its huge Christmas number one! Yet, being so soon after Halloween I personally don’t want to risk being accused of getting dressed in the dark, would you?

Written by Marleena Cronvall