I love winter fashion, it really is the best time of year to really show your FASHUN side!
I love this time of year especially cause I get to wear all the layers, wool coats and boots I want.
I know though at this time of year we can tend to buy in excess, which isn’t good at all. I know a lot of fast fashion places have a lot of things which are enticing and then the sales hit and it’s chaos. You get things you think you need but really, you’re getting it because it is a “bargain” and then it ends up at the bottom of your closet not worn with tags still on.
I have come to the stage that, yes fast fashion is appealing, however I ask myself do I really need it or just want it. I also try it on in the shop, take a photo of it from the front and back and then leave it for a few days. If I can’t stop thinking about it and think it will add value to my wardrobe then I will go back and if it is still there, I will get it.
One thing I noticed I was lacking in my wardrobe was a long black wool coat (I know…shocking!) so I started going into shops and trying on a bunch. I felt that this year they’re all oversized again and with dropped shoulders which isn’t good for my shape. It swamps me. I then went onto my favourite store’s website and on Black Friday, yes I know so bad! It’s a good time to buy though if you’re buying something that is an essential and you don’t have. Anyways, what was I saying… Oh! yes, I went onto the Kooples and found a gorgeous black wool coat and..it was structured..and.. BONUS! The buttons are gorgeous. It was expensive full price..even with the Black Friday sale it was still expensive, but when you know you’re going to wear it to death and get your money’s worth then you don’t mind at all! Well I didn’t..that is why I bought it.
I am a size 6-8UK and I tend to wear a 34 in the Kooples so I would say it is true to size.
I also found that I was lacking in nice warm cosy knits so I hit up & Other Stories, now to be honest, I don’t know how sustainable they are (there’s a great app called goodonyou where you can check brands and find out how ethical and sustainable they are), but I do like their knits. I picked up one card and one knit. Both have wool in them and one are cosy and warm. They’re both over sized so I would definitely recommend going a size down than what you are. I got XS in both.
The next piece which I actually have been researching and looking up reviews etc (Emma Hill has done an in depth review of the styles she has bought – watch it here) and after finding out that they actually have it in Brown Thomas, I decided to go in and try them on. Now this, I will admit, I didn’t need but I never splash out on runners and really liked the look of these so decided to treat myself to them. At €125 they’re not cheap at all. The most expensive runners I will ever buy to be honest.
I knew the Veja runners didn’t do half sizes so I was excited to go into BTs and try them on. I tried on the pair you see on everyone (the one with the black V) and tried that in a 37UK (I’m a 36 1/2 UK) so then I tried on the V10s and asked for a 36 and 37. I tried on the 36 and they were perfect. I walked around the shop for a bit with them to make sure they were good and they were. However the ones I first tried on felt good as well and they were a 37, so I would definitely recommend trying both sizes in the styles you like. Wear the types of socks you’d normally wear as well so you can properly tell if they fit well or not.
I then decided to go with the all white cause I usually always go with something that has black in it and decided to change it up. I walked around town with them and they were comfy which was nice, I will say though that the tongue is a little stiff (Emma Hill mentioned putting vaseline on the top of it to soften it) but when I kept walking they started to soften a little and not dig in as much.
If you would like me to keep you posted on how I get on with them please comment below and I will of course keep you posted.
Let me know what you think of the bits I got, also let me know of any tips you have on sustainability and being more eco friendly.
