Rediscovering winter fashion treasures in berry hues

I’m smitten with the luxurious fashion colours on offer for winter, ranging from earthy tones, reminiscent of hot chocolate, and effortless beige, to the deeper colours of nature. I’m thinking midnight sky and mulled wine in front of the fireplace.

So, before dashing out the door or getting busy online with retail therapy by devouring cosy knits and elegant layers with hungry eyes to add to my existing wardrobe, I dug into my winter style pieces, kept under wraps during the warm season.

Well, this is one of the many aspects of ageing I adore, when we have hunter-gathered ageless items over many years and packed these marvels away for a sabbatical. Often, we simply need a break from the too familiar, or to hide it from sight because we believed they were no longer on trend, yet still too good to send into the style universe to find a new home…

Yes, we can be fickle, but we own it, divas, we’ve earned our badges of hard-knock journeys. So, we give ourselves a high-five and do a little jig around the closet, celebrating the fact we had the foresight and insight to hang on to quality style, knowing full well it would make a welcome return.

So, I went to work, digging into the tissue-wrapped garments, and marvelling at the fact they were indeed worth saving. So, I have decided to blend current palette trends into my existing stash of winter treasures, therefore creating my very own look for winter.

I was recently asked by a fabulous follower in the UK how I store my clothing. I always keep the tissue paper new garments are wrapped in, so, it’s also a way of recycling. I use all the little dry sachets from shoe boxes and supplement containers. These sachets keep leather and perishable garments dry in our closet and storage.

To prevent moths or other pesky pests from feasting on my clothes, or linen, I make little sachets in tissue paper containing drops of lavender, citronella oil, and cloves. I simply tie the little parcels with string and ensure they don’t touch the clothing, causing oil stains. So far, I’ve never spotted a moth in my closet or in my storage trunks. Easy and inexpensive. I do this once a year.

Do we follow trends? Heck, yes, we do as we celebrate being female and fabulous at any age, but we also often end up juxtaposing what is on trend with reliable items that we know complement us. We also are in touch with our mood for the day, as well as which part of our many facets of womanhood we wish to emphasise on any given day.

So, evocative of some of the noir cinematography I’ve adored over the years, I’m thinking winter drama in Venice, mixing deep purples, burgundy, brown, navy-blue, and adding some captivating merlot-red lipstick to embrace the mood.

Fashion colours change their seasonal handles more often than we change underwear. Confusing, right? Well, I’ve decided I’m sticking to delicious berry colour descriptions. I’m thinking a hedonistic pavlova, covered in every berry imaginable. We might be going slower on those naughty sweeties, but nothing stops us from wearing their colours and luxuriating in our very own sartorial expression choices.

I’ve styled some of my old-style gems after their lengthy sabbatical, and feeling revitalised and ready to walk tall, knowing these pieces, like me, have withstood the changes, ups and downs, travels, and stories through the ages. We’re still here, walking with our heads held high and wearing our most valuable accessories, our smile, knowledge, and confidence.

Getting back to those berry nice colours, my hot new favourites include blackberry, blueberry, strawberry, cherry, raspberry, and the sweetest red grape, which becomes merlot and burgundy in a timeless process.

I discovered some short mohair cardigans and cropped cashmere knits I’ve had for years and when the bigger, longer trends emerged, I packed them away. I’m so chuffed I kept these little darlings, now back in style and so much easier to wear under a coat or jacket, creating less bulk than the more generous designs.

No, the loose, longer knits will never leave my winter wardrobe as they are way too comfy to ditch, but when I don’t wish to look like a snow plougher when adding a jacket or coat as the top layer, I simply throw on a poncho. Easy, nonchalant, effortless style, and so forgiving of any bulges.

Remember when we played with paper dolls? Dressing them and creating fashion for them was so creative and fun. Now we get to do fun stuff with our own garments as women of the world. Lucky us!

So, whether we are in the mood to look sporty, fun, chic, playful, or serious, choices abound and mixing up our berry hues could prove berry stylish! Add some cream to emphasise the hues, and we are set for a delicious winter. Cheers to that – did someone mention glühwein? Yummy…