HOW TO STAY WARM & STYLISH IN WINTER | Vintage Style Tips!

Hello dearies! I can’t be the only bygone gal who feels uninspired to dress up during the winter time? Well this California girl has lived through several harsh winters in Sweden and now NY and it’s taken me a lot of trial and error to find “my style” during the colder months. I’m sharing my tips and tricks in a COMPLETE checklist of ways to stay warm plus keep showing your vintage style. Best part is you still get to wear all your favorite dresses and skirts! Let’s go from top to bottom:

A few links in this posts are affiliates which help support Jonas & I to keep creating for “It’s A Charming Life”, thank you!

HEAD WEAR: I’m definitely not a beanie type of gal so I opt for other ways of keeping my head warm and these are some of my favorites

• Berets: I adore a good wool beret that’ll keep your head warm and it’s so easy to find them in any color you please from The Other Sparrows. Bonus points if it has a fun detail like these black birds on this beret! I also have my eyes on a few different colors from Amazon fashion and also a cloche hat for a more 1920s look. Or get a knit beret from Etsy for a more bygone look.
• Turbans: These are my FAVORITE because they are so warm and stylish for walks in the snow. I got mine from Amazon but I also love these from Unique Vintage. I also fancy a half turban that covers just the ears and keeps your hair away from your face.

CARDIGANS: This is my favorite trusty trick! Layer up with cute sweaters and cardigans over a turtle neck long sleeve shirt which you can take off if you get too warm when you come inside. My darling deer sweater is a thrift find but I also adore these:

• Emmy Design Swedish repro company that knows how to keep warm
• Mischief Made Me has the most darling novelty cardigans for the seasons
• Joanie Clothing has both vintage style and girly chunky cardigans
• Vivien of Holloway 1950’s cute cardigans
• Check Etsy or your local thrift store for some vintage sweaters that fit your personality

SCARVES: I really dislike scarves, I always feel as if I’m being strangled but sometimes you just gotta have one so if I have to at least I’ll make it a cute one

• My favorite alternative to a scarf is a knitted ascot! Mine is from Madison Stewart who is occasionally open for commissions (I also adore her Harry Potter scarfs!) and here is a similar one.
• A faux fur collar is also a good solution for scarf-haters like this one from Lindy Bop, this one from Etsy, and of course look for vintage fur at your local antique/thrift stores
  

ACCESSORIES: Add your own personality to your winter wear with some personalized accessories

• Vintage and repro brooches are my favorite way to add a piece of your style which can be pinned to your coat, scarves, or even hat! Check out Erstwilder and Tangerine Menagerie for the sweetest novelty pins you ever did see!
• I adore these ‘faux’ peter pan collars from Fairytale Collars that instantly add your own pizazz!
  

GLOVES: I’ve had faux leather ones, thick gloves (for extremely cold days), and gloves that can be used on your touch screen phone like these romantic ones from Victorian Trading Co

OUTERWEAR: I used to think I could only wear those puffy winter jackets to keep warm but then I found other alternatives:

• Coat: I can’t say enough about investing in a winter coat that fits well, is warm, and your style. I finally found my dream winter coat from Collectif Clothing but Hell Bunny has some lovely ones too! (Look to Etsy for some vintage finds)
• Capes: A very vintage way to look stylish in the cold temperatures. I adore the ones from ModCloth and for a more affordable option I turn to Amazon Fashion (bonus if it has a hood!).
• Vintage vests: Waistcoats can also be a stylish way to add some extra length!

LAYERS: I gave up on wearing thermals and found I could layer my dresses and skirts with these for the same effect:

• Basic slim long sleeve or turtle neck shirt
• Petticoat: I never would have realized what a difference a petticoat would make find them here & here.
• Vintage slips can also add some extra warmth to a thinner dress
• Long johns: Hate them, but can’t avoid them in negative degrees! I also tried fancy ones made for winter or ones made of fleece and NEVER AGAIN! I found those kinds to be uncomfortable and always too tight! The kind I ended up using the most was a thick high waisted leggings from H&M that worked great for me or some really thick knit tights.

SOCKS: The key is doubling up with a wool blend pairs and layering over the top some boot warmers (like these faux fur ones).

SHOES: This is honestly the main thing I’m still figuring out and haven’t found a specific brand I like yet that keeps my toes from freezing but I do have a few tips:

• Of course there’s loads of cute looking boots out there but I go for a practical inside zipper that makes taking them very easy off when you come indoors. I also recommend going for a half size bigger than your usual so you have room for those thicker socks.

BONUS CUTE DRESSES: Wearing and layering dresses is my favorite way to keep warm and cute! I’ve found going for sleeveless dresses gives the most options since you could wear layer the dress for winter (and isn’t too tight under a coat).

• I’ve been crushing on these dresses for wintertime from Eshakti, Palava, Voodoo Vixen, Collectif, Lindy Bop, and Vivien of Holloway. Also Emmy Design has the most warm looking autumn/winter line I wish I could afford!

Well my dear bygone gals, with these tips and links I leave you, I hope you found some inspiration that will help you in your winter adventures and to keep cute and warm!

Bye for now,

Lindsay Dianne

P.S. This is the 1st of a 3 part series about vintage style fashion in the winter, also check out my tips for the perfect winter coat and how to layer to get different outfits! Also do check out this YouTube video where I show many of the pieces I’ve built up in my vintage minimal wardrobe on my #RoadToRetro: