The Style Guide to Winter by SportsDirect.com

Winter is all about looking snug, cosy and warm and there are a few essential items that every man and woman should have when it comes to the Winter wardrobe. SportsDirect.com take a look at a few of these Winter must haves.

Women
One of the key pieces to any Winter wardrobe is of course a coat. Parkas, duffle coats and coats with faux fur detailing can be seen everywhere at the moment and brands such as Kangol, Firetrap and Lee Cooper all have stylish and on-trend ranges.
Chunky knitwear  and cardigans are also staple items, Golddigga have a selection of cable knit jumpers and fleece collared knitted cardigans that are perfect for slipping on and snuggling up in. Firetrap also have a great range of knitwear, including a Navajo knitted jumper with a woolly lining and a fair isle style design for a festive feel.
Cossack hats are all the rage at the moment, creating a Russian chic vibe, and are perfect for wearing in the evening. However, for a daytime look, bobble hats or trapper hats are ideal and are available in a range of fun and quirky designs, such as the cupcake one from Voodoo Dolls.
When it comes to footwear, boots is where it is at and there are a range of women’s boots that are in fashion this season. Chelsea boots, long boots and boots with metal detailing are among the most fashionable this year and brands such as Firetrap and Miss Fiori have a range that are perfect for both day and night wear.

Men 
This season quilted jackets are a must have for men and both Propeller and Karrimor have a  stylish range starting from just £16.00. Kangol also have a selection of fashion jackets in parka and bomber jacket styles that are great for casual wear.
Sweatshirts are a must for keeping warm, but they can look stylish too. Pierre Cardin have a new line of V-neck and crew neck sweaters that are great for both a casual and smart look if teamed with a shirt underneath.  SoulCal also have a  great choice of cable knit jumpers in festive and Wintery colours.
Hats make an outfit and this year it’s all about the patterns and bobbles. Airwalk and Lee Cooper have a great line of fair isle, starry and stripy hats that will add a touch of fun to any Winter wardrobe.
Men’s boots have got a lot more fashionable over the years. Kickers have a great range of boots that are suitable for daytime and evening wear throughout the festive season. British Knights also have a great selection of casual boots that are perfect for teaming with jeans in the daytime.

Visit SportsDirect's fashion-outlet for their full range of Winter fashion items. Keep up-to-date with their latest products and competitions on Facebook and Twitter.

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!