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Winter Fashion Guide – by Claire Hastings

Winter is a tough fashion customer that is very hard to please. You want to remain stylish as ever, be able to finish work and head out for drinks without having to go home and change before heading out again, and accomplish all of that without freezing. There are of course holidays with family to take into account and all the appropriate outfits to plan, and let us not forget about all those parties and perhaps even quick holiday getaways. Indeed, winter is tricky to maneuver, but that’s why we’re here. To make outfit planning easier so your style never has to give up in the face of harsh weather and multiple events and special occasions.

Photo by Frank Flores on Unsplash

Photo by Frank Flores on Unsplash


Casual Saturday’s
The probability that there are people who don’t live for those wonderful strolls on Saturday afternoons is incredibly low. We all long for that time when the work week is behind us and Monday seems so far away. The perfect outfit for hopping around the town has to consist of a great pair of straight leg, dark-wash jeans that hug your body just right, a cozy turtleneck sweater (so you don’t have to bother with a scarf), a grey coat and a great crossbody bag that leaves the hands free to hold those takeaway coffees or snapping photos. Of course, even casual Saturdays deserve an extra dose of chic, and that can be best accomplished with an amazing pair of embroidered ankle boots that have the ability to elevate any given outfit, but are still comfy enough to spend an entire afternoon in.

Photo by Pete Bellis on Unsplash

Photo by Pete Bellis on Unsplash


High-style Office Attire
One of the best things to strut down this year’s runways is the plaid trend. Plaid has always been associated with professionalism, but unlike the ‘work uniforms’ of yore, designers made it their goal to create plaid-patterned garments that contain the perfect mix of playfulness and office appropriateness. This month put those high-rise pants (Tome) in a pungent yellow plaid pattern to work. You can mix them with a classic black button-down or a simple blouse and a fitted blazer and what you get is an outfit that looks amazing in office light but that can easily be taken for drinks afterwards.

Photo by Pete Bellis on Unsplash

Photo by Pete Bellis on Unsplash


A Quick Getaway
If you live in the part of the world where January means low temps and gloomy skies, the holidays might just be the perfect time to make a break for it and head somewhere warm and breezy. Of course, for this venture, you’ll need to turn up the heat in your suitcase as well, and aside from the pastel swimsuits that will be dominating next summer, make sure you pack only the finest designer resort wear – beach kaftans, luxurious robes, large hats and stylish beach totes. Going away gives you a chance to put your best summer look forward and escape the cold reality if even just for a long weekend.

Photo by Eduard Militaru on Unsplash


If, on the other hand, you’re the type who spends holidays with family, that requires an entirely different attire. Now, there are two ways to go about this. If you have the kind of family who nurtures the tradition of wearing ugly sweaters – well, you will have to go shopping for one. Regular jeans will do the job for the rest of the outfit and as far as the sweater goes, well, there are virtually hundreds of them so just take your pick and if it has to be ugly at least wear it ironically. The other way is of course, the classy way, and this year the chicest family-time appropriate outfit has to be a dark floral dress. As the floral trend has experienced a rebirth of a sort and thanks to the murkier shades it’s no longer reserved for summers only, a long-sleeve long floral dress will look wonderful on those family portraits.

Photo by ARTHUR YAO on Unsplash

Photo by Arthur Yao on Unsplash


My Girl Wants To Party All The Time
If you don’t go to at least one wild party, it’s like the holidays never happened. Now, for several years the traditional winter party uniform has been a glittery sequin dress in every shade possible. Now things are a tad more subtle so instead of going out full disco-ball mode, opt for something slightly more understated and chicer. You can still get your glam on, but choose your battles. The best way to go is with a gorgeous white or black lace dress, (the cut is up to you) and complete the look with a gorgeous silver or gold sequin blazer. Add some glitter on the eyes, and put that red lipstick to use. You’re ready to be the classiest dancing queen there is.

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Adventure travel

Staying Salty in Antigua

Bermuda, Bahama, come on pretty mama… in short, the Caribbean has been on my list for so many reasons and for so many years, so when I got a beautiful invite to attend a close friend’s wedding in Antigua, I couldn’t resist! Blue Waters, Antigua

But just what is there to do in the Bahamas? I’ve heard about islands with swimming pigs, celebrity retreats and of course, a lot of culture… so arriving in Antigua, I wasn’t surprised at just how laid back everything was. There’s literally no rush, whether it’s the traffic, people walking in front of you or the service, it’s all done with a huge dose of ‘chill’. I can’t say I hated it either… (and that’s coming from someone who’s name actually says RUSH!) Antigua

What’s beautiful about this island is the colours, whether it’s the green on the trees, which is totally comparable to the way you feel in Asia with all the palms, or it’s the pastel houses that are dotted across the island. Either way, it’s certainly got soul. We stayed at the Blue Waters Resort, which is by far the most beautiful on the island, where the wedding was set on their beach, underneath an idyllic flower-crested pergola and tropical sky. Blue Waters, Antigua

The hotel itself held a few things for me to get up to, from a little gym to a paddle board or two, but it really was all about being poolside this trip… Antigua

We ventured out to an island institution… the D-Boat on the first full day in Antigua, which was an awesome little hotspot – it’s family friendly too, something Dubai definitely needs! A retired oil tanker was renovated and anchored back in 2014 to create the island’s first, fully floating entertainment. D Boat, Antigua

Whether you’re jumping off one of their decks, swinging out to sea, snorkelling around the reef’s below or sliding off their crow’s nest, this boat has everything you could possibly need, including a bar and trampoline to work off your lunch. D-Boat

From one adventure to another, if you’re visiting Antigua, there’s one place you do need to see and that’s Stingray City. Now I was worried that it was going to be more os a sea world-esque experience and that would be a definite no-no, but it’s just a short boat ride away from the shoreline to a pontoon in the middle of the sea. Just where the blue waters turn turquoise, the stingrays come in for an easy snack. Stingray City, Antigua

With a guided experience you can feed them squid with your own hands, or simply get hold of a snorkel (provided) and swim around with these majestic creatures. Many have asked if they are dangerous and honestly they are not, there’s no way kids would be allowed to swim freely with them if there was and when we were told about the simple lack of muscle control in their tails (spike), it helped reassure even the most cynical. Get out there if you’re headed to the Caribbean because it truly is an incredible experience! Stingray City, Antigua