Article: Danelle Milward from Captive8 House of Fashion
You know the feeling…you open your wardrobe to see the bright colours and the soft, flowing fabrics. Sigh. You will have to get through a whole winter before you can wear your favourite dress again.
By this time of the year, you have resigned yourself to the fact that you have to exchange the pretty, feminine feeling you get when wearing a dress for the shapeless bulk you need to keep warm.
But the winter chill that’s set in doesn’t need to put a dampener on your style. Danelle Milward from Captive8 House of Fashion, a clothing range catering exclusively for plus size ladies, has some tips on how to keep rocking those dresses through winter.
Maximize the maxi. Remember the maxi dress that was summer’s must have item? Simply wear a plain and well fitted long sleeve top underneath, add a scarf or jewellery and pair with ankle boots. The length of the maxi dress will keep your legs warm, but hey, no one will know if you have a pair of tights under there for a bit of extra warmth.
Dresses to dance the night away. If you want to stay clear of the standard black trouser outfit for an evening function, wear a long-length dress with a great pair of closed heels. This way you won’t be too exposed and will simply need to add a gilet or shawl to keep warm for your arrival and departure. And if it’s not warm enough inside, well, a little dancing can easily fix that.
Wrap up. The wrap dress is a beautiful on-trend item and is a great way to bring colour, print and patterns to the dull winter weather. Pair it with a coat, but one that you can wear open so that the dress can still be seen. You can also wear stockings and boots to add extra warmth.
Master the layered look. Layer to keep warm and get more wear out of your dresses. But that doesn’t mean you have to hide every dress under scarves and jerseys. Yes, your dress can be the outer layer. For example, wear a collared shirt underneath a three-quarter or long sleeve dress and pair with stockings and wedges. The collar and cuffs will stick out and turn your dress into work wear. It’s a great way to stay warm, show off your dress and have a versatile wardrobe.
For more information visit www.captive8.co.za.