Big Coats. Long boots ( & a few hats, bags & gloves thrown in! ) #winterwardrobe.

Your winter uniform? A big coat. Long boots.
It’s as easy as that.
The FiFi philosophy: Invest in strong pieces like a major coat and serious boots.
Then build an outfit around (under!) those two items with pieces that you already own. Pieces that are understated, that just slide underneath a coat without a murmur.  Then add a fabulous designer bag and you’re done!

Let’s talk coats!

• A coat that’s long. Mid shin. Longer. Oversized. Go up a size if you need to. I always do.
• It can be single breasted or double breasted: just make sure it does up at the front and covers ‘the situation’. That it sits across the front even when it’s undone. Because who wears a coat done up (except in London mid winter ?)
• You need to invest in a standout colour. What do I mean by a standout colour?
• Camel, navy, grey, brown, white , khaki , furry or even leather. I love brown and camel. Grey is great. of course.
• Walk past black. It’s not going to give you vava voom, bang for your buck. If you spend money you want your outerwear to make a statement. it’s what people see first. It’s working hard.
• Black is going to bring everything down. Total yawn fest. I am going to sleep just thinking about it.
• Everybody keep calm: if you have a long black winter coat (and I do!) then there’s a solution:
• Surround it with tan and white and camel. Fabulous boots. Cream knits. Light wash denim. Instant chic.
• Remember big shoulders are happening. This is great in a coat. Makes a statement. Looks edgy. Gives shape and drama. A more tailored coat is looking new but it’s still BIG and LONG.
• SHOP coats ( boots below !)
  
  
  
  

Let’s talk boots!

• Invest in knee high long boots. With a heel. Or flat combat boots that sit really high up the leg.
• Colours? In white/cream. In choc brown. Tan. Or black.
•  These cream are fab (on sale) and these. I have been wearing my cream boots for 4 years now and will pull out again. Love.) I bought these choc brown boots ( on sale !)( now another 20% off). Love them  (also at The Iconic).
• Black is Ok but not as much as wardrobe updater as cream or brown boots. But I do own black boots and will definitely be pulling out again. See here.
• You want a block heel, a kitten heel and a round toe. Pointy /square is fine as well but maybe not as casual. Not as versatile. (I’d wear round toe boots for say a breakfast on a Saturday whereas pointy can look too… done. )
• You want knee high boots because they should fit easily UNDER your wide leg jeans AND with skirts.
• Short ankle boots with skirts? NO NO AND NO! Wrong. dated. And what do you do about covering your legs? Black opaques maybe ? mmm. I say instead just buy knee length boots and wear with everything.
• Please say goodbye to those old short ankle boots : they were having a love affair with skinny jeans. But now?
  Aurevoir. It’s over/ Time to move on. Wide jeans love knee high boots because they fit under there.
• For the country? When you need hardcore waterproof boots these are fabulous at Penelope Chilvers.
• If you do invest in ankle boots then make sure they sit high up the leg like this , they work with long pants but also with your all your crop jeans. It’s a lewk. And you get to wear all your shorter pants.
• If you go for a combat boots make sure they are mid shin so they meet your coat or sit under your skirt. And since you’re asking I think combat boots are still right : I will be pulling my long ones out again to wear with skirts like this and under jeans like this. (Swipe to see how I’ve been wearing boots ).
• I say mind the gap. Your legs should be covered , PLEASE no flash of skin between boots and hem. Eeek. Drives me nuts. I think it looks like it’s all ill fitting. Not generous, not lush.  All boots should be long for that very reason.

Here’s my pick of the best long boots …with a few bags, gloves and hats to joosh it up. Just tap the arrow to see more.

Get shopping!
More on the SHOP page and always lots on my LTK shopwithfifi page.