Winter weekends need cosy warm clothes, but if you’re away sightseeing and popping in and out of museums or cafes, you’ll experience a whole range of temperatures throughout the day. The key to dressing for this is to wear a combination of lightweight layers that can be added to keep you warm outside, but which are easy to shed if you’re enjoying a cup of coffee by the fire.
Keep it versatile
A knitted dress is a really good choice, and if you choose a shorter ‘tunic’ style you can match it with jeans, leggings or thick tights during the day. Switch to sheer tights and heels in the evening to dress it up a little, and you’ll have a whole new look without having to pack a separate outfit. A brushed-knit fabric will feel warm and cosy, and choose something close fitting so you can easily fit a jumper or two over the top.
Layer up
When you head inside after walking around in the cold, you soon feel like you’re overheating – so wear layers that are easy to slip on and off. Cardigans are really practical for this; they’re much easier to switch than a jumper, and by keeping them open or fastened they will suit a range of temperatures. Choose a soft knit feel – something with natural wool, alpaca or cashmere will keep you warmest outside – and again go for something versatile which is smart enough to wear with your evening outfit.
Stay practical
For footwear, you can’t beat a great pair of boots in the wintertime. They’ll keep your feet and legs warm and dry, and they look great with all outfits from trousers to skirts – so you may not need to pack any other shoes at all. Just make sure they are reasonably flat and comfortable for walking around in all day, and also check they have good soles in case of slippery conditions – it’s best to save your heels for indoors in icy weather!
