It may not be ‘beach season’, but these cooler days have been good for something – helping us realise the gaps in our (and our kids’) winter wardrobes. Why not hit your local shopping centre or indulge in a spot of online shopping to curate your closet for the cooler months? Or, if the thought of braving your local shopping centre doesn’t appeal these school holidays, why not visit one of the many amazing independent boutiques here on the Gold Coast instead?
We shared so many places to shop locally in our gift guide. And, if you prefer to shop online, make sure you take note of these tips we shared ahead of EOFY.
One thing we’ll certainly be doing this winter – at least, with our older children – is give them a budget and a list of winter essentials, then let them do their own shop. We’ll enforce a few rules (for example, no crop tops, no shorts and no sandals) but otherwise, let them have at it and see what they come back with, remembering that (almost) anything can be returned. In the meantime, we’ll shop with the younger ones. Easy.
So, with those many winter shopping options in mind, here are the essentials we’ll be on the lookout for.
The must-haves
- A versatile jacket is a total winter essential, both for you and the kids. Opt for a neutral colour like black, navy, beige or khaki green, in a style that can be dressed up or down – how about a bomber jacket, for example? If you go for denim, choose one that’s free from distressing. We love that relaxed, grungy look as much as the next mum, but having a jacket that’s more… intact will mean you can wear it a lot more often.
- A great pair of boots, preferably flat, are something both you and the kids will always reach for. Your older kids might prefer a combat style, while little ones might be better off rocking a Chelsea or gusset boot (no laces, no worries!). While we would usually opt for black, this season we’re loving brown boots, especially when paired with denim – which brings us to our next point…
- A sturdy pair of jeans will last long after winter has departed, so you may already be sorted in the denim department. Your growing kids, on the other hand, may not be. If your kids aren’t great at trying things on, it might be worth taking their measurements before you hit the shops – the search for the perfect pair of jeans can take time and patience. Also be sure to weigh up which jeans material is best for your kids, as those with more stretch might not be as warm, and vice versa.
- A cosy knit is an absolute winter essential. It doesn’t matter which kind of knit you go for – mohair, cashmere, wool or cable, crew neck, V-neck or turtleneck – just be sure to choose something that is thick enough to block out that cold winter wind (AKA, ditch the open weave jumpers). Your knit is the perfect layering piece, able to be worn over the top of t-shirts or long sleeves, tucked into jeans or worn under jackets – or all of the above, at the same time!
- A long-sleeve tee is something every Queenslander should have in their winter wardrobe – no matter how much we crave the cool weather, sometimes it’s just not cold enough to rock a jacket, or even a jumper! Something tight fitting in a thermal material will keep you toasty warm, and is perfect for layering, day or night.
- BONUS: A luxe lounge set is something we never knew we needed until COVID hit – now, we can’t get enough of them! They’re great for wearing separately or together, and we love that they let us wear our pyjamas in public – while we might not rock our tie dye sweatsuit further afield than the letterbox, you can bet we’ll wear the jumper with jeans and some statement jewellery, or the pants with a graphic tee, jacket and sneakers, all winter long.
