Fairweather Fashionista

Sorel Caribou Wool Boots, Next Gaucho Boots (similar here), Hunter Wellies, Ugg Kensingtons (similar here)

Can I be honest here? I don't actually strut around in silk shirts and high heels on the school run. I am actually really normal and boring. And the other thing - I am actually a ..... fair-weather fashionista. On good weather days i.e. not freezing, not snowing, not cold, not raining ... I look okay. But if it is freezing, snowing, cold or raining ... I am practical. Very practical. On the school run, fashion doesn't really come in to it very much where the elements are concerned. See!

Zara Parka, Sorel Boots, Vince Pullover, H&M Pleather Leggings

Trapper Hat, Primark Padded Coat, Next Gaucho Boots, Vince Pullover, H&M Pleather Leggings

Sprayway Jacket, Hunter Wellies, Vince Pullover, Hunter Wellies

Zara Parka, Ugg Kensingtons, Vince Pullover. H&M Pleather Leggings

When it rains ... I wear

• Black Sprayway Gore Tex walking jacket. It's ten years old and it keeps me dry, I go up mountains in it (or at least I used to until the Grumps got tired of the whinging) and I also go on school runs in it. It does the job and it's practical, windproof and light. If I'm going away in the UK for a couple of days, this invariably ends up in the car and does what it needs to do. Like when I'm standing on a beach being buffeted by strong winds - it takes the edge off and keeps me dry.

• Hunter wellies. In aubergine. These are about five years old and still going strong. I used to wear them when it was snowing but these have been usurped by the Sorels which are infinitely warmer and far comfier than over tight wellies - I used to try and wear three pairs of socks to keep my feet warm in my Hunter wellies. They are however great for country walks and mud. Lots of mud. Squelchy mud. And rain. I have been known to stand in puddles wearing my wellies just because I can #bigkid

• Black Next gaucho style nubuck boots. These are also about five years old. Plain as plain can be, no buckles, no laces, no zips, no nothing. They do the job, have worn in nicely, look a bit rough around the edges ... they're basically a practical goody. They're the kind of boots which you pay £200 or more for, for a similar pair in Toast. They're also the reason why I bought but didn't keep the Zara Pistol'like boots I wanted before Christmas - I knew I wouldn't get the wear out of those as I would default to these old faithfuls. They do the job and they do it brilliantly.

When it's icy, cold or snowing, I wear ....

• Black Zara parka. I can't say anymore about this parka that hasn't already been said by me here. It is serving it's second winter with me and I still love it. It's a little cumbersome but oh it's toasty and on those arctic days we've been having recently, it is the coat of choice. And I still love that Kenny hood.

• Black Primark padded coat. I thought this would be going in the charity bag this year. I thought it was looking a little peaky or rather it wasn't looking as perky as it used to and maybe it had had it's day. But I dragged it on one day last October when I was in a rush and I thought "I can't let you go buddy! You kept me warm when I was standing in the park and hugged my baby bump George all those years ago and you still keep me warm now. For £13 - you owe me nothing and I owe you a space in my wardrobe". 

• Sorel boots. Yes, they feel like weights strapped to your legs but hey ... they are warm weights. I have been truly thankful for these since becoming one of those sporting mums who stand on a pitch for several hours at a time with their feet slowly turning to ice. You can't wear Uggs ... wet grass just soaks through. Wellies are cold. Sorels ... they do the job. Mine are worth every penny I paid for them and I still get people who ask me about them as they obviously look like they are the dogs doodies.

• Ugg Kensington boots. These are for those cold cold mornings where regular boots don't cut it but the might of the Sorel boots are a bit much. They are snug and they are warm and they are flat. They are a bit of a mare to put on and they are a bit of a mare to take off ... but hey, some things are worth it. Like warm feet.

• Trapper Hat. This is the hat that I automatically reach for to keep my head properly warm. I pull it on and it automatically goes right. I can't say the same for the woolly ones I have where I have to do all manner of tweaking with my hair and my fringe before I look half sane. However, this trapper hat has magical look perfect every time properties. And it's warm. And it doesn't blow off. And I look like massive fur ball but that's okay - I'm good with that.

So a fair-weather fashionista I am then. Have I shattered all your illusions? Told you I was boring. What gets you through these cold January days?

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Last Note :

• I've come a long way from when I used to take my wellies off when I was at the end of my street and change in to my shoes even though it was 6 inches deep in snow, before I went for the school bus #not_cool #teenager #my_mother_made_me_wear_them!

• Five minutes after taking those pics, the skies turned grey and the snow came ... briefly .... and went again. Hope you're all safe and warm wherever you may be!