Feel like you have nothing new to wear and are totally stoney?
Fear not, here are SEVEN ways to add some sparkle to your winter wardrobe and ramp your look up a gear without dropping too much cash.
ONE: COLLARS
COLLARS FROM RIVER ISLAND AND NEW LOOK
Collars are still big news and detachable collars are a great accessory to invest in, as they can bring shirts and dresses already sitting in your wardrobe, right up to date. Wear them over a plain t-shirt or top, over a white shirt or over a little black dress. Collars can add a little elegance to any outfit or for a more edgy look, try a spiked or studded collar.
TWO: BELTS
BELTS FROM NEW LOOK
Belts are a great fashion accessory in winter because they can create a visual balance to heavy winter clothes. Wide, big buckled belts worn under the bust or on the waist can totally change the look of an outfit and if you can wear a belt with your coat it can totally change the look. The more bling the buckle, all the better.
THREE: HATS
HATS FROM NEW LOOK AND PENNYS
Any of you that can wear hats - not me with my freakishly small head and ridiculously straight hair - will probably already have a wardrobe of them, but there is nothing like a hat to keep you warm and I think they are the coolest accessory of all. Shop around, TK Maxx is great for something a little different.
FOUR: SCARVES
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SCARVES FROM PENNEYS AND DUNNES STORES
Scarves are extremely versatile, and can make anything you wear stand out. They are one of the most affordable wardrobe updates you can make, and with about a gazillion ways to tie them you can lift the most ordinary outfit. With just a cheap silk scarf like the mammies in the seventies wore, wake up the look of a plain handbag by tying it around the handle. Can also come in handy in the rain!
Buy them for yourself in Pennys and Dunnes, but if you see something special, they are a great gift to ask to go in your Christmas stocking.
FIVE: GLOVES
GLOVES FROM ZARA AND OASIS
As luxury items go, leather gloves are on the affordable end of the spectrum and if you choose a bright colour, you can instantly spice up your neutral coat. Look out for long ones, ultra trendy.
Penneys and Dunnes both have some nice ones. And fear not there are lots of colourful woollen ones about too.
SIX: JEWELLERY
I don’t need to remind you that jewellery is probably the quickest way to update your look and add some bling to your winter wear. Get creative with what you have. Wear lots of long chains together or wrap them around your wrists as bracelets. Get old pieces and cut them shorter or add two together. Get contrasting earrings and attach them. Don’t laugh, but I did this by mistake one day - came home from town to discover that I had one extra earring hanging from one ear! Looked totally ridic but gave me an idea for putting two old ones together!
You can use old earring hangers to make new ones. My vice principal was always taking earrings from me, as we were not allowed to wear long ones (long time ago now!) so I used to make ones that were totally worthless with paperclips and buttons and Christmas decorations, just to make her crazy. (Wot a rebel!) But I am sure you could be a lot more creative.
SEVEN: BUTTONS
Now, I am not going to go all Gok Wan on you by talking about customising (mainly because I couldn’t be arsed, so I am not expecting you to be), but even I have managed to make a few bits of jewellery and changed the buttons on a coat once or twice to give it a new look. You would be amazed what an statement some cute buttons can make. Changing the buttons on a coat or a shirt can make a huge difference. Sew some sparkly ones onto a bag, or they look really good on wool or felt hats and at the bottom of scarves.
And if you find you are good at customising, keep going but don’t go too far!
So what do you reckon? Like these ideas and think you might give some of them a go?
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