Written by Nicola Cupples

With the weather we’ve been having recently, wardrobes can become rather confused as to what season they’re in; which is why it’s always best to have a trans-seasonal wardrobe that provides plenty of options for all sorts of weather.

The key to taking your wardrobe from summer to winter effortlessly is all in having the correct key pieces; which can be layered up or stripped back to provide alternatives for hot or cold weather. When you pick great capsule pieces, fashion becomes less of a worry, because your wardrobe is packed full of modern style that works for you. 

Below are some of the most common wardrobe weather worries I come across at this time of year, and my style suggestions for overcoming such challenges.

UPDATE CHALLENGE: SKINNY JEANS

QU: I’ve lived in my skinny jeans and ballet pumps all summer? Now it’s getting colder, I don’t know what footwear to put with my jeans?

I hear many women say that they can’t do skinny or straight leg jeans because of their age, shape or size but there are practical and stylish ways to wear this look for everyone! I love skinny and straight leg jeans so much because they work really well with flat – mid heel shoes and boots, which tend to be the preferred daytime option for most women. However after wearing brogues, ballet pumps, wedges and loafers with them all summer, women tend to go a bit pale and panicky when the weather starts to turn and it’s too cold to wear open shoes any longer.Once we get in to autumn and winter and it’s a little too nippy on your toes, try one of the following footwear updates...

Autumn Ankle boots:  a lace-up brogue boot, desert boot, platform ankle bootie, Chelsea boot, hiking bootie

Winter Knee boots: riding boot, biker boot are great day options

Skinny Jean Style AW 11 Update: Supersize Me

Straight or skinny style trousers look good with looser fitting tops or longer tunic style tops. Length of tops with this sort of trouser should be no longer than mid-thigh otherwise you’re heading in to dress territory. If you’re wearing tunics and trousers where the length of the tunic is close to or below the knee, this is likely to make your legs look shorter and body wider.

One of aw11’s hottest trends, ideal for updating your skinny jeans and treggings is the slouchy, soft, knitwear-on-steroids look. With rounded sleeves and softened waist, oversized knitwear is the perfect minimalistic update for your skinny jeans.

UPDATE CHALLENGE: BOOTLEG JEANS / TROUSERS

Qu: I feel comfortable in my bootleg trousers or jeans in summer as I can wear them with a little fitted blouse or t-shirt; but when the weather goes colder I feel that my winter tops look too bulky with them and I don’t feel feminine any more.

Bootleg trousers or jeans are still really popular in a lot of women’s wardrobes and the style remains to be a classic and rarely dates; however it is rare I come across a really great fitting pair in someone’s wardrobe, so ensure you pick well!

This type of trouser style really looks better with a heeled boot or shoe, as without height, your legs can start to look shorter and wider due to the shape and depth of the trouser. The wider the flare of the trouser, the higher the heel should be, unless you’re already quite tall. If you’re finding that you don’t like the look of your bootlegs, try a higher heel to see if your footwear is the issue and sending your figure off balance.  A heel also puts femininity back in to your outfit.

Bootleg trousers and jeans are best worn in general with more fitted tops, to restore balance to the overall figure. If you wear this style of trousers with baggy, loose and slouchy tops you may find it can add one to two sizes to your figure.

Bootleg Style AW 11 Update: Jewellery Box Colours

Update your bootleg jeans this season with some of aw11’s richest colours in rich fabrics straight out of the jewellery box such as ruby, emerald, citrine, amethyst and sapphire to brighten up your denim or black work trousers. The richness of the colours really adds class to any wardrobe.

UPDATE CHALLENGE: THE COLD!

Qu: I’m happy with my wardrobe all throughout summer, but when the weather gets colder I tend to struggle to achieve stylish outfits that are still practical for the cold. I end up just wearing jumpers and jeans and it becomes really boring. What can I do to stay warm and look stylish?

One of my top tips for looking fantastic in winter at any age, shape or size is LAYERING. A big bonus to layering is that is can keep you warm when you are outside but you have the option to cool down indoors. Layering is also great because it helps to achieve a more ‘together’ and interesting look as opposed to just working a standard trousers and top combo. Layers are what set the stylish apart in the winter.

A boyfriend or drape cardigan or jacket in a key staple colour such as black, cream, grey, taupe that works with the majority of tops in your wardrobe and would work in all seasons, but will be especially helpful in the autumn / winter months. Colour can be quite important in terms of seasonality when picking this piece for example, brown can look very autumnal but is too heavy for spring and white is summer only, so if you’re looking for the best price per wear, avoid such seasonal colours.

Drape or waterfall style cardigans and jackets are everywhere this season and that’s because they provide such an easy, effortless and effective style solution for so many women. Pick a style that skims the body and can be worn over tunic dresses with opaque tights and boots; or with basic t-shirts and jeans. This is a brilliant way for women to still show off the shape of their legs in winter, without getting cold; and the layering of drape jackets and cardis also hides a multitude of sins around the mid-section (well, after all, we are going in to hibernation and may need to eat more!)

Layering Style AW11 Update: Wild Thing

Gilets over jumpers and jersey tops with jeans, trousers, skirts are another great layering option. They look so modern with maxi skirts, tunic dresses, jeans and treggings – they can be a great all rounder. I would probably avoid this style if you are more top heavy as you already have the volume going on up top; but most women will be able to wear this style if they like the look. The runways of aw11 were filled with wild faux furs and fuzzy gorilla-like jackets so this is a simple way of transforming that old dull polo neck in to something seriously stylish this season – and cosy too!