Fairweather Fashionista

Thursday 29 January 2015


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!





28 comments

  1. Excellent post. I'm in Dublin and walk my kids to school too. So its runners(maroon leather nb's) every day for me. Even though I spend hours poring over boots and flat pointy cool shoes online, they rarely make it onto my feet. This year though I got sheepskin birkenstock clogs with the rather unflattering roundy closed toe. (also maroon..the cheapest colour on amazon). I put them on the first second I walk in the door and they are HEAVEN.

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    1. I've been trying to walk more and I make sure I am well protected when I set off out. I am so nesh it's unbelievable and I am usually all hot and bothered by the time I get back - I never seem to pitch it quite right. And like you, I lust after pretty shoes, impractical shoes and all manner of cool shoes but when push comes to shove - I do prioritise comfort and practicality.

      And the Birks sound like some grey slippers I have which are like the grey Birkenstock Boston's. I actually think they are really cool.

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  2. But you still look cool and gorgeous!! Are you wearing lippy too? x

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    1. I am wearing a touch of lippy Miss Hawkeyes - I smudge a bit of colour on most days when I feel I look or feel a bit bleurgh. And as you get older - you have to work a little harder to look as nice as you used to do without any effort. Sigh.

      Thanks for the vote of confidence too ... I wrote the post a few days ago and meant to go out and take a few pics and dashed out today wearing what I genuinely had on - so pleather leggings it was then! Just a lucky coincidence - honest! I think they must have magical coolness properties or something.

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  3. At least your parka is from Zara, mine's from Land's End! I have to say this year I've added a borg coat that is sooo toasty and sets me apart from anyone else at the playground. You can spot me from a mile in the muppet fur!

    I do agree that you have to be practical especially in your footwear in the rain or snow.

    I have two pair of sorels (one vintage, the quality is amazing!) and the hunter boots, but this year I added some Joules fur lined ankle boots that are so much easier to get on and off...

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    1. Hey don't knock the Land's End parkas - I've heard they are pretty good. I just struck lucky with my parka last year and it's definitely earned it's place in my wardrobe. And a borg coat sounds cool - sometimes it's nice to stand out a little instead of blending in seamlessly with everyone else. If you looked at me in the playground, you wouldn't notice me at all - I always think blogs makes you look at things in a very "highlighted/glossy" way. I have to say, I wander around sometimes people watching and it's very rare that anyone stands out in real life.

      And fur lined any type of boots is good with me. I have a spot spot for them and I spend all my home time in a pair of uggy type slippers.

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  4. Hmmmm! Fair weather fashionista you say?? And yet there you are sporting your trendy pleather jeggings! There's always a little fashionista in there having the final tweak I think :)

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    1. I have to say, it's not every day I stick on the pleather leggings but I did today and today just happened to be the day when I traipsed outside with my camera and tripod and did some quick snaps. The last few days, I've been wearing much the same but with blue jeans - that takes it down a notch or five.

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  5. Sue, love all these looks on you, and forgetting the weather,you still look super stylish! I am tempted to get a pair of Sorels, but wonder how far you can walk in them? I use a very ancient pair of Dubarrys, which are brilliant for the wet and snow, and for any other outdoor pursuits in winter weather, but I do wonder if I look all a bit too 'County' in them?!! Helen xx

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    1. I think it's the pleather leggings Helen. They seem to be ramping up the look for me and it was wholly unintentional. I've done a few walks in the Sorels and I actually spent 6 hours walking to the woods with some small people and back again a few weeks back. I tell you something, I felt it on my legs the next day - they are heavy. There are lighter versions - I just happened to like the leather finish on mine and they have a wool inner rather than a synthetic one which some of the other boots have but you can probably buy a wool inner to put in if you really wanted. I do get comments when I wear the Sorels as they are a pretty big boot and quite eye catching. They look about a size 6 on me when intact I'm actually a size 4 so that gives you an idea of how big they actually are though they don't feel it inside. I guess it depends on the look you want to go for? If the Dubarrrys do the job, you probably don't need a pair ... but you could always try on a pair of Sorels and see how you feel? x

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  6. Great looks Sue, you certainly don't look normal and boring, but normal and one a very stylish cool mum. I have my hunters, mine are about 7 years old and still going strong, I need a pair of warmer boots to walk in and when I become a rugby mum, plus a warmer parka preferably waterproof....... all on the list for next winter (I love my lists!! :) ) Fab post Sue. x

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    1. I was having this discussion with a friend and I said, blink and you would miss me - I look really normal in real life and it's only blogging which makes people think you look a particular way. I know you have Hunters and they are brilliant for wet weather but I didn't get on with them in snow. Infact I went to an indoor ski place with the boys last year and I had wellies on ... put it this way, I didn't stay in there long. My feet were frozen to the core!

      And when you become a rugby mum - it will be interesting to see what will be your footwear of choice. You already have your Moncler for on top but I think you will also need something longer - I always feel the wind whistling round my knees!

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  7. I did LOL to myself when I read this post Sue! Today I dragged out my North Face coat! I can't remember the last time I wore it but needs must! I've had it years but I can't part with it as there are times when nothing else will do when it comes to a pre-school dog walk, the school run and a frantic drive into work in a car that seems to take forever to warm up! Tomorrow I'm getting the big guns out and wearing my Uggs to work as well, I just need to dig out some wide-leg trousers to hide the evidence! Sometimes the fair-weather fashionista in all of us is the only way of staying toasty!! You still look super cool on the school run and I am in awe that you have every kind of weather covered!! xx

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    1. You have some practical coats too! I always think you look so stylish on your Instagram feeds when you are wrapped up - I never see you in wellies and a raincoat (like my Sprayway walking jacket) and I think gosh, I need to try harder. But when it rains or it's miserable - I automatically reach for any of the above I've mentioned. And yes, there is a reason why Uggs are so popular despite no one wanting to admit it - they are comfy and they are toasty.

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  8. Love your posts Sue. I've come to the conclusion that I'm a crap winter dresser. Very jealous of your Uggs x

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    1. So am I Donna - that's why I don't post so much in the winter - I feel so drab and uninspired. You get that excitement when autumn comes and you can start layering and then full on winter hits and it's plain old boring. Roll on spring eh?

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  9. I think you look very stylish! I have a zara black down coat, which is super cosy and light for very cold days, as well as a Craghoppers parka which is warm and totally waterproof. I love your trapper hat, but I can't get them to work on me. I need a ski/pom pom hat. I think dressing appropriately for the weather is very stylish!

    I am hankering after your sorels, but I have an ancient pair of brown furry boots that do the job in ice and snow and have that lived in look. You just have to be practical on the school run or it's miserable.

    You are selling me on those pleather leggings, I keep contemplating them. They do look very cool.

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    1. I think it's brilliant if you can combine warmth and a little style but I'm all for sacrificing style for warmth and dryness when push comes to shove. And I always feel a little smug when I'm standing there looking like a human duvet and the guy (next to me on the all-weather pitch at football) is standing there with no hood, shoulders hunched, tiny jacket, trainers ... getting soaked. And it sounds like people either fall in to a trapper hat camp or the woolly hat camp - you suit one or the other. I can make a woolly hat work but it takes more effort for me and I'm usually a last minute bolt out of the door kind of gal.

      And strangely enough, I came across the pleather leggings last year in H&M. They were £14.99 and I thought they looked okay on me but then decided against keeping them and returned them. Then I had a day in York recently when I popped in to the H&M whilst I had a bit of time to kill and I saw them and thought I'd give them another go. £5 they rang up at the till! If you can, try to get some with ponte jersey at the back - they are more forgiving and comfortable and mould to your legs better I think. Sorry - no links though.

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  10. I think a trip to H&M next week while the kids are at school is called for. The ponte backing does look good.

    I am also a last minute out the door girl... and mad dash to school.

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  11. Still think you look pretty cool and stylish in your normal gear! Seriously love the leggings and the Sorels and of course the Zara parka, mine is still going strong this year xxx

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    1. Aww - but you outdid me today with the gold sequin leggings and Hunters!

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  12. Practical is never boring Sue - and in my book being well dressed is being appropriately dressed to the occasion/climate/lifestyle so a win win for you!

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    1. I'm in total agreement - there is nothing cool about looking frozen/wet/bedraggled!

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  13. I've eyed up the Ugg Kensingtons for some time now. They look fab! I think I can cope with the difficulty getting them on and off - takes more than that to deter me! Lynne xx

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    1. I don't think they make them anymore as I think the general consensus was that they were actually quite difficult to pull on - I have a couple of friends who have struggled with them. They now make the Noira boots which are also water resistant and a lot easier to put on apparently. I do however think you would totally love these if you had a pair.

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  14. You can't be boring in a pair of pleather leggings Sue! You still look amazeballs! You should see some of the sights at our school gate! x

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  15. I agree with Andrea above Sue - love those pleather leggings! Even though I don't have to do the school run anymore (weird at first) I still dress according to the weather and these are my kind of outfits! x

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  16. I'm late with the comment...but it's great to see Sorels getting a shout out! They have been standard winter wear here in Canada for my lifetime! They are clunky, but I'm used to it. I even drive in them. They are invaluable in our major sub zero (celcius) and snowy weather. My current pair are Sorel Joan of Arctic.

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Susie So So