Layer up

The last two weeks have been bloody delightful. Reunited with friends over too much wine and delicious food that not only have I not had to cook, but I don’t have to clean up afterwards either. Meatball sandwiches at Larry’s in Peckham; date and pork sausage rolls washed down with organic wine at 40 Maltby Street, and litres of rosé at Aqua Nueva. Clearly, none of it has been good for my waistline – nor my bank balance – but it’s been exceptionally good for my soul.

I am fully in favour of the easing of restrictions and the opportunity to see some of the people I love most in the world in settings like this. Not only that but I’m old (the big birthday is this week), so enforced table service and reservations in a pub setting are my complete dream. The last thing I want is to put a dampener on any such celebration. But, on all occasions, I’ve been absolutely freezing.

Restaurants are still limited to only serving outside, and whilst some have invested in outdoor heaters they’re often not especially effective. So, inevitably, we all arrive resembling Michelin men. Coats, hats, gloves and scarves are indispensable; on one occasion, with excellent foresight, one of my party actually brought blankets for us all. Whilst Spring may have sprung, the sky above me as I type this is wondrously flawless and the shops are full to bursting with pretty dresses, sunhats and sandals, the reality is that we’re still wearing our winter clothes.

So, when everyone is flashing their post-lockdown outfits on Instagram, how does one dress stylishly for this departure from hibernation?

Firstly, layers are essential. Uniqlo’s Heattech Thermals have been ubiquitous at every social occasion since the second lockdown. Slim-fitting, they don’t add bulk when layered under jumpers and coats and, for this transition into Spring, even look chic layered under dresses.

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Thermals. Yes, thermals

£12.90, Uniqlo

Padded gilets: once the preserve of European gentlemen in Gucci loafers with too much product in their hair, the padded gilet is now as essential to an evening out as a functioning OpenTable app. Again, Uniqlo is great for basics, but if you’re after something a little more elevated, Cos’ minimalist design is deliciously chic. Layer it under your coat for extra warmth.

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Padded gilets

£59, Cos

Footwear. Having spent the last year in nothing but trainers, Teva’s or shearling lined Birkenstocks, the prospect of anything more formal (and less comfortable) feels both daunting and confusing. I made the mistake of only wearing Teva’s to dinner last week though and that’s not something I’ll be doing again soon.

Thankfully, socks and sandals are no longer the realm of geography teachers alone, so invest in a wardrobe of socks now. Arket’s range is extensive without nearing novelty status. Their lurex styles add just that bit of jollity without being too grabby.

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Not-so-novelty socks

£5, Arket

And while we’re on footwear, boots are still the go-to for warmth and practicality. A block heel is infinitely more palatable than anything spindly after a year in flats. While boots of the baggy variety are currently ‘en vogue’, they remain distinctly unflattering. You’re after styles that really hug the ankle to show off what is, normally, the slimmest part of the leg. Aeyde’s range is consistently my go-to. I love the ‘Kate’ which is relatively long, meaning the top tucks under the hem of my cropped jeans, rendering them both flattering and warming.

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Still boots

£320, Aeyde

Alas, all this advice remains practical, but lacks joy and flare, which is where your accessories come into it. A knockout pair of earrings remains the single accessible sartorial extravagance, so it’s a good thing we’ve been investing in them for all the Zoom calls we’ve had over the last year. Mango and H&M are my high street heroes when it comes to jewellery, but these colourful sparklers from Uterque are wholly pleasing.

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Jolly sparklers

£50, Uterque

And as always, do check out my Lust List (updated every Sunday AM) with an edit of everything new and jolly on the High-ish Street. It’s got a distinctly Spring-like feel to it right now!