Choosing the right sweatshirt

Last week I was fortunate enough to spend an afternoon sitting in on fashion buyer meetings, (which I must say any girl who likes clothes would LOVE), and they were discussing what is next on the fashion agenda for Autumn/Winter 2013. I will start by sharing a little of some of what I learnt from one of the representatives for USC.

Currently in trend are ladies sweatshirts. The types that are set to be most popular are bold animal prints, patterns, floral, textured materials and even velour!
When it comes to choosing the right sweatshirt for you:
There are many styles of sweatshirts; crew neck, round neck, scooped neck, high neck and v neck, the list goes on.. It is important that you get the correct sweater for your shape and fashion style. There are online guides to choosing the right sweatshirt for your figure, so it may be an idea to look at these first if you are still unsure about what best suits you. Choosing the right style for you is just as important as choosing the right colour!

Colour wise, a favourite all year rounder is black, yet marl colours are also doing well (the ones which have an all over speckle) . Greys and golden brassy tones are also set to be the next big thing, in keeping with the autumn weather which sees the leaves changing to a lovely array of burnt orange and reddy brown tones.  The least popular colours are expected to be neon. Sales have slowed a little over the past year, and as they are bold statement pieces, they aren’t expected to do as well this time around. That’s not to say that if you fall in love with a neon sweater that you shouldn’t buy one! If you have enough style to pull it off then why not bring back the neon trend yourself!

If you are tall, make sure you try the sweatshirt on before you buy if you can! You don't want to get home and find that the sleeves are far too short for you, as a lot of styles are not very generous. Another idea is to buy clothes that are specially designed for those who are taller, as many shops do have separate sections now for tall and petite!

If you are a legging or jeggings wearer, why not invest in a dipped hem sweatshirt that will allow you to show off your pins and feel comfortably covered at the same time. This saves you having to wear jeans when you’re settled at home watching a movie.
A final point to consider is whether you want a loose fitting or a fitted sweater. There is a big difference! Boyfriend style/ oversized sweaters are baggy and go well with a pair of statement leggings and pumps. You may feel like you are a little girl again playing dress up the first time you put one on but they are the ultimate comfort! Fitted jumpers can be worn with a pair of skinny jeans and heels, or a smart pair of trousers depending on the occasion. Both types can be glammed up to look nice for evenings out, throw on a neckscarf or a chunky necklace and you are well away!

Jeggings Vs. Jeans

Recently I have been thinking about what’s best to invest in: Jeggings or Jeans. 

Here I have included the top ten ways in which Ladies Jeggings differ to Ladies Jeans, in order to see whether there is a clear winner between the two!  

1. Jeggings don’t often have pockets, some do, but mostly the front ones are sewn together which can be impractical if you need somewhere to put your phone. One solution to this is to pick up a little bargain handbag from somewhere! Voila, crisis avoided.

2. The elasticated waistband on some jeggings can be a little unflattering, therefore wearing short/crop tops may not look as good as when wearing them with low-slung jeans. 

3. Jeans have a top button and zips instead of the stretchy material jeggings are made from, therefore you have to undo them when you have eaten too much instead of being able to let your waistband stretch around you!

4. If you happen to change what you weigh (say from putting on a little over the Christmas months), unlike jeans which instantly become too tight, jeggings just mould to your changing shape! This is a massive perk, as buying new pairs of jeans in other sizes can be an expensive job.

5. Jeans are heavier than jeggings, which is often why people chose not to wear them to the office or for a night out. 

6. Jeans take longer than jeggings to dry when it’s raining (we feel for you if you are unfortunate enough to get caught out in it!). 

7. When you sit down for a long time in jeans they can make the back of your knees sore, yet this doesn’t happen even in a tight fitting pair of jeggings.

8. Jeggings tend to look a lot better when wearing heels than jeans do.

9. Jeggings can stretch, whereas jeans can shrink in the wash.

10. Price wise there isn’t a lot in it, yet jeggings are usually less expensive.

Verdict? 

Jeggings are the WINNER!

It seems jeggings are a must have over jeans, as they have more positives than negatives! The fact that they are made from stretchy material alone makes us veer towards them as the best option. It seems as if there is finally an item which allows comfort and fashion to go hand in hand, and us ladies deserve it! 

Do you agree with our verdict? If you can think of any reasons why jeans should win instead, get in touch!