Styling outfits in winter without buying anything new
While it’s easy to get hung up on the latest trends for autumn 2017, buying new clothing can be really expensive.
We watch various runway shows and get this sudden urge to dress like the models, magazine editors and celebrities we see who attend these shows.
However, the truth is that very few of us can actually afford to dress like this. The good news, though, is that if you had to spend some time in your cupboard going through the suitcases of winter clothing you packed away, you’re bound to find various items which are in fashion for winter 2017.
Boyfriend shirt
Yes, we all have one, or a few. You dated a guy for a few months and ended up stealing his button-up checked shirt. After the breakup, it hurt too much to see it so you chucked it in a suitcase and forgot about it. Bring it back to life, because this look is very in for winter. Rolling the sleeves is a quick way to inject a little cool factor into a classic fashion piece. Pair an oversized checked shirt with black tights and knee-high boots and you’ll be good to go.
Cut your jeans
You’ll probably find a few pairs of jeans stacked away that you completely forgot you owned. A quick way to make them winter ready is by giving them a few cuts on the knees. Horizontal cuts in various lengths will take any pair of jeans from casual to urban chic straight away. Another way to spruce up your jeans is with the hemlines. The hemlines of jeans sometimes cover the best part of our outfit, the shoes! You can either roll them up for simply cut them off. This will give it a scruffy, rugged look which is perfectly on trend for winter 2017.
Bubblegum pink
Yes, you read right. A colour doing the rounds this winter is bubblegum pink. Remember that pink blazer you bought for your friend’s themed birthday party? Or that bubble gum polo neck top you wore throughout high school? Now is the time to get it out, dust it off and start wearing it again. Just spend a few minutes watching the latest fashion shows online to see that this colour is everywhere.
Velvet
You might be saving every piece of velvet item for Afrika Burn, but the truth is that velvet has made a sudden return to the runways. The one colour that keeps coming up in velvet is midnight blue. Go through your old clothes and repurpose your velvet clothes, the things you don’t fit into anymore can be cut up and the velvet can be used to make chokers. This is a cool accessory which is a trend that isn’t going anywhere.
Army jacket
We all have that one jacket that goes with us to every braai, every camping trip and always seems to either be full of thorns or tears. Don’t throw it away. Get it dry cleaned, if necessary, and patch up the tears. Owning a khaki army jacket will put you bang on trend this winter. Pair it with an oversized handbag and a cream one-shoulder top and you’ll be the talk of the office.
Tailored blazer
This is a statement piece which will always be in fashion. A well-tailored black blazer might be something that you wore on your first job interview, but now it’s an item that can be worn as casual wear. Pair an old blazer with a high-waisted pair of jeans and a tucked in button-up shirt and you’ve accomplished a winter 2017 trend without spending a cent.
Pointy shoes
This might have been a trend in the 90s but the pointed and open toe shoe is a trend seen on runways around the world. Think classy and sophisticated. It’s one of the top trends for this season and is seen worn as flats and heels. The ladies shoes trend for winter 2017 also sees buckles returning. Go through your old shoe pile and keep shoes that fit this trend.
Suede it up
Whether it’s a pair of suede boots or a coat with suede on the elbows, suede is here to stay. Find a pair of camel or beige suede boots that you packed away last season and give it a wipe and it’s good to be worn again. If you feel it needs to be made more modern, add laces, buckles or a piece of leather. This makes for a great DIY project and will modernise your shoes without you having to touch your credit card.