Tuesday, December 6, 2016

Tulled and Bundled Up


The temperature dropped significantly within the last few days, and even though I lived in one of the coldest parts of the world for 29 years, I tend to forget how it feels when it is close to freezing. In Siberia, we start wearing hats in early Fall - from thin knitted hats to thicker woolen hats, and finally to fur hats in the Winter, which begins at the end of October where I grew up. Those fur hats, we don't give up practically till April. You might have heard the word shapka as referred to Russian style fur hats with "ears", but in Russia we call them ushanka (or formally shapka-ushanka) which has that "with ears" definition, while shaphka is just a generic word for any kind of hat. When the average temperature ranges from -25 to -30 C pretty much from late November through February, you can see how a hat is not only a style statement. I've written about it before - I got so sick of having to wear a hat for so long, that after I moved to a warmer climate, I started resenting wearing any sorts of hats for a few years. But a true Siberian girl, never leaves home without a shapka in winter time. And I forget about it every single Winter since I moved to the Pacific Northwest. These mild 50 to 60 F days for the bigger part of a year spoiled me, and now I forget that a shapka is not only a style statement!



Other than my head getting cold that crisp sunny day, I did pretty well. I had fun digging for sweaters in my large basket trunk, and setting out hats, scarves and gloves, so they are within reach. This outfit began with me picking this 100% wool sweater that I found at Goodwill a couple of years ago for $5 or so (a retro outfit along with retro automobiles in my earlier post HERE). I wanted to give it a punch with contrasting top, vintage brooch and a cacophony of mismatched patterns - sometimes, that's where a feeling of harmony is found.
  


For the record, I saw a few fair island sweaters out and about that day, but none paired with a tulle skirt. 
I've never owned a tulle skirt before - they looked interesting to style, but all those pink ballerinas are just so not me. This funky leopard print tutu in my favorite rich colors, on the other hand, - yes, please.
  

I showed you a couple of coats that I added to my coat collection this year (HERE, HERE and HERE), and this is another one, by Simply Be, a trendy British brand that offers plus sizes. Many of you know by now that my sense of style lies somewhere between cool modern and charming vintage. Both approaches are equally fun to me. I noticed that wearing a contemporary style makes me feel more confident and relevant, while retro styles feed my whimsical and eccentric side. This coat is definitely from the later line, with its fake fur, boyfriend jacket silhouette and tweed texture.



One does not need that many coats, for sure. You can get by with one or two. And this is no Siberia - in this mild climate, if your lifestyle does not require a lot of walking or standing outside waiting for a bus, you can even get away with none (I knew people here who prided themselves on having no winter coat whatsoever). But to tell the truth, having a collection of coats to choose from is one of the unbeatable joys of Winter. The coldest days really feel very different when you look forward to a fun coat to wear that suits your mood and your style for the day.






Wool cardigan, silk blouse - thrifted
Coat - Simply Be
Tulle skirt - Ashley Stewart
Brooch and purse - vintage
Boots - Aquatalia via Nordstrom Rack (last winter)
Glasses - Christian Siriano for Lane Bryant
  


14 comments:

  1. Oh Natalia you look amazing in this winter Outfit. Wonderfull colours . Wool and silk is a very good material. I love it together. :) So an amazing cardigan.
    Many hugs, Tina

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  2. totally fabulous!!
    all this textures, patterns and warm colors - make me want to hug you :-) and i too think to have a range of different coats is wonderful. one can create very different looks and stay warm - and the coats will last longer if they´r not worn every day. and hats! you really should know it better. "a shapka is not only a style statement" - but it can be a huge one AND keep your ears and brain warm :-)
    we have snow!!!
    huge hugs! xxxxxxx

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    1. I'm glad you have snow - I know you love it! Yes, everything serves longer if you have choices (one of the pluses of being a "maximalist"). As for the weather, well, you know, your mind plays tricks - on the one hand, I got used to a mild weather here and don't expect it to be cold, and on the other hand 5 C is a warm day for Siberian winter. So... I just forget how it feels, honestly. It always takes me by surprise.

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  3. Fabulous! Lovely, spicy colours. I feel warm just looking at you.
    I love a hat. I feel naked without one in the Winter. Not only practical but hats are a guaranteed conversation starter and great for hiding unwashed hair.xxx

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    1. I am glad you enjoyed my spicy colors! I agree! Hats are fun...when you don't "have" to wear them for 6 months plus. :)

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  4. Natalia, you look so ready to take on cool temperatures in this wonderful combination.A girl can never have too many coats in my book, they really never date and add so much to any outfit . Reading about the Winters in Siberia , I find it hard to comprehend living with the cold. Enjoy the milder Winter .

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    1. Oh let's just say I am happy that I am not in Siberia now. Though I know people who genuinely love cold weather, snow and even harsh temperatures. We all are so different in our preferences. I am with you on coats! :)

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  5. Beautiful colours, fabulous textures, lovely photos (as always) and that gorgeous tapestry bag, (which I not-so-secretly covet) - what a great post! xxx

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    1. Thank you, Curtise! I wear this bag a lot lately! :)

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  6. I love every piece and love even more the whole ensemble!, you've created a subtle color combo with different textures and prints and it's stunning!!. Lovely tulle skirt, fabulous floral top, and a really cool coat (that fur trim is a pretty detail!)
    I agree with you about coats, it's better to have a little collection of coats and have fun picking one or another!. I lived for seven years in the south of Spain where there's not a real Winter, just two or three colder months (never less than 7ºC) and the summer was six months long, from the tolerable to the awfully hot!. So I've lost my Winter mojo a little bit!
    besos

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    1. Thank you, Monica! Happy that you like it!
      It really is surprising how fast we get used to new conditions, isn't it? :)

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  7. Colours, patterns...to me that is pure bliss....this feminine outfit is so wonderful! Very colourful and fun...makes me think of folklore costumes and I do like those. That skirt is so lovely. The coat is simply perfect. We can't have enough of coats! Fortunately today there are so many different styles available. Perhaps shopping for coats for never easier.... anyhow, great styling....You look fantastic!

    That photo with ponies wearing jumpers made me smile....I don't think they need them, I think they're (well most of them) breed to live in the open and they can stand any weather (they have thicker manes, tails and coat than regular horses)- I was quite surprised when I watched a show about that. I always thought a pony is a tender animal, but they're actually very strong creatures...I always thought they were there just for the kids.

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    1. Isn't it a sweet photo? I'm sure Mother Nature created them strong and not needing any jackets. :) They still look cute wearing them, though!

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