Style Notes for November.
Lessons in dressing cosy...
If October was about layering for all weather eventualities- experimenting with inventive ways to incrementally layer up and strip back down again as the weather toyed with us, November is about layering for cosy.
In October, our summer layers were present to accommodate the notably warm chapters in amongst the blustery showers. In November we include these pieces because we love them, we want to get the most out of our wardrobes all year round and crucially- they still work really well in the cold.
Stalf items I reach for in winter-
Sweats - loose, baggy, cosy. Sweats are the eternally effortless winter go-to. Stalf sweats have the added bonus that they don’t look at all scruffy and are easy to wear day-to-day.
Cardi- for visible layering. I will tell you more about my love for a cardi below. The Stalf offering is crucially different from a “basic cardi” (which I will also wax lyrical about) on a couple of levels, which means it plays well with other pieces- more below.
Vests - technically sweats too. But the vest deserves a sub-section to itself. This time I’ll demonstrate how size plays a part.
Jumpsuit - I give you the ultimate winter layering piece. I mean it. Layer under it. Layer over it. With wild abandon. Again, I’ll demonstrate.
Long and floaty- think Stalf maxi dresses or midi skirts in lightweight linen or double gauze. Layer cleverly and wear all year round. The fact that our dresses are often cut loose and oversized really comes into its own when you layer them.
Not-Stalf items I reach for in my wardrobe-
Big old boots - I favour a knee high Dr Martens boot with a chunky sole. I have my eye on these too. Would love them in black suede.
A trusty cardi - here I mean a true, basic cardi. 100% wool preferably, crew neckline, simple buttons, classic grey/black/neutral.
Cross body bag - I really only wear one handbag day to day (and have done for about 6 years now) but a cross body bag is perfect to hold all your wintery layers in place, almost like a belt across your chest (?!)
Lessons in Cosy…
Lesson 1 - Maxi Made Cosy.
Here I’m wearing the Midi Skirt in Wisteria linen.
Stalf Sweatshirt available here. Midi Skirt linked here.
I’m wearing the Gathered Flutter Dress in the above picture.
Easy Dress pictured above (no longer on the site, but email us to order), layered with the Stalf Cardi.
Gathered Flutter Dress montage (to the right) all colours available here.
Montage to left- base layer by Everlane, knitted vest by Me+Em, knitted jumper by The Knotty Ones, Silver bag by Tiba and Marl, shacket by Folk, raincoat by Rains, earrings by Dinny Hall.
A Jumpsuit is the Ultimate Layering Piece…
Layer under it. Layer over it. Enjoy the fact that you have no chilly gaps between your blouse and your trews. A Jumpsuit really is the ultimate layering item.
Above I’m wearing the Stalf Cocoon Jumpsut in Ice Cream, Stalf Cardi in Frosty Lilac.
Here’s how it goes for me in winter, as demonstrated in the above pic…
Base layer - close fit, long sleeved, easy to slip under almost anything in a neutral colour- black, white, grey, beige.
The most wonderful Jumpsuit - Cocoon Jumpsuit is the core piece for me. The original Stalf piece, the true gem in my wardrobe. You can read all about it here in my previous article.
A classic shirt - I went frilly and white. I also have classic, crisp linen versions in white and pink which I frequently layer over my Cocoon Jumpsuit.
A wool cardi - this one is a classic crew neck in 100% wool. You can find great basic cardis secondhand, but I’ve also linked below.
A Stalf Cardi - and it’s a different breed of cardi here from the aforementioned style. The Stalf Cardi is loose fit, cosy organic sweatshirting, and perfect for layering over the previous version. The trick to warm layering this season is TWO CARDIGANS! You read it here first. I love the clash of texture and colour here.
Cocoon Jumpsuit montage (to the right above) all colours available here.
Montage to left - Silver hoops by Night Time Holiday, socks by Piglet, jumpsuit by Stalf , base layer by Everlane, cardi by Stalf , knitted cardigan by Everlane.
On the subject of cardis, my fave thing is to layer our Flutter Blouse in any of our double gauze fabrics under that basic shape, with frothy sleeves spilling out.
Wearing the Flutter Blouse in Seafoam Double Gauze, I also have this one in white double gauze and am eyeing up dusty.
All Flutter Blouses by Stalf, sweatshirt cardi by Stalf, knitted cardigan by Everlane
Whilst we’re talking about Stalf sweatshirting…
Sweats are eternally effortless for winter cosy dressing. As mentioned previously, Stalf sweats are far from scruffy- the minimal cut and finish lends them a laidback-but-still-smart feel. I go one size up for extra cosy and pair (once again) with that ever present base layer.
I’m wearing the Sweatpants in Grey Marl above.
When I put this combo on, I instantly felt comfy, warm, soothed. That is the gift of sweats, right. But then I added our Stalf Sweatshirt Vests in two very different sizes, and was pleasantly surprised with the versatility.
Takes the look from sofa to at least desk, if not day-out, for me. If you can imagine this look in black, but with a few textures thrown in, even smarter IMO.
Wearing the Sweatpants in Grey Marl and the Vest in Frosty Lilac.
The small is a close fit, snug and a little sharper in my opinion. The same style in an XL fits looser and more oversized. Still crisp and minimal but with a much more laid back vibe overall (I have worn this outfit on repeat over the last couple of weeks.)
All styles above by Stalf, all sweats styles linked here.
Big Old Boots transform your Minis.
It’s a tried and tested trick, but effective nonetheless- if you add big, chunky warm boots to your mini length items, you will instantly make them feel winter appropriate. Of course, I recommend adding a base layer, tights and perhaps also an oversized blaser.
Above I’m wearing the Flutter Dress.
Above montage (to the right) features Flutter Dress and Curve Dress by Stalf.
Montage to left - Boots by Dr Martens, blaser by Aligne, dress by Stalf, necklace by Monica Vinander, tights by Falke.
…and here ends this month’s Style Notes!
Hope it’s given you some inspo!
Paris xx