The Opulence of Winter
As soon as January starts, my brain decides that the winter is essentially over. In Estonia, this is very far from the truth (it can still be snowing in May) and even in Brussels it’s a tad too optimistic. Of course, I don’t really, seriously think it’s spring and put away my coats, but there is a definite shift in mindset: I want to wear white and clean silhouettes and gravitate towards lighter food and green and crisp perfumes.
There is nothing wrong with that per se, the problem simply is that this approach strips away the things that make winter liveable and sometimes even enjoyable. Cosy jumpers, hearty stews, hot beverages of various persuasions, cardamom buns and thick books – you need all this to survive January and February and potentially March and April, depending on your location.
When it comes to dressing, there is one genre that is especially well suited to winter. You could call it eccentric opulence or maybe cosy glamour. The difference from the non-cosy glamour is that it’s not about sexiness and slinky dresses, but about gorgeous fabrics, patterns, colours and textures; about bold forms and unexpected juxtapositions. It’s more Iris Apfel than Marilyn Monroe.
One reason this style is winter-friendly is obviously that it’s warm. Large swathes of luxurious fabrics and layers upon layers will deliver both in terms of beauty and practicality. The other reason is a certain fantasy, fairy tale mood that works well in winter and makes me think of Muscovite boyars, Eastern nomads wrapped in silk and dark opera evenings in 19th century Italy.
I’m wearing a skirt by Ketlin Bachmann, one of my favourite pieces ever, with the kimono you have already seen, another favourite. The beautiful scarf is by Soyka Design and the Victorian blouse by Zara. There is absolutely no skin on show and the silhouette is rather generous, the only definition being at the waist, but you can even skip that. The focus is on the clothes not on the body, and that can sometimes be welcome.
Images by Liina Jasmin, MUAH by Grete Madisson. Shoes by Prada and slippers kindly gifted by H&M. Sincere thanks to Tallinn Botanical Garden and Hotel Telegraaf/restaurant Tchaikovsky for the use of their beautiful premises.
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As someone sweltering through the dog days of a super-hot, steamy summer, the thought of winter is entyenchsnting. I am utterly sick of one-garment dressing, even though my little dresses are quite sweet. I long for some of your winter opulence, even though our winters are never as cold as yours, and tend more to rain and wind than snow and ice. So, although I’m mentally adapting the layers and swathes and heavy fabrics for our more temperate climate, I’m In complete agreement with the style principle of your post. I can wear fine merino jumpers and silk scarves where you wear heavier wools and so on, but the concept of big powerful mixes of textures and colours is speaking to me with a siren’s voice right now.
I wish I lived in a cold climate!
Well, I’m not really made for cold, to be honest. I prefer +35 to -10, but I do appreciate different seasons and try (not always successfully) to appreciate the one currently unfolding. It will be spring soon enough and there will be different pleasures.
How pleased was I to recognise my old pal Tchaikovsky – I owe all my enjoyment of classical music to him, as I fell in love with his ballet music as a child (cliché!) and that made me want to have music lessons, and then later on I thought his music was too sugary (cliché), but last summer I was invited to see the Mariinsky’s Swan Lake at Covent Garden (seriously, I had no idea what to expect – it was one of the most vivid experiences of my life. Talk about opulence!) and all the beauty of his music came flooding back. I didn’t know that I knew it so well. I was overwhelmed by it. The dancing, the beauty, the artistry yes, but all of it was inseparable from his music. Hoping to see his opera Eugene Onegin in Edinburgh in this year. Want to be overwhelmed again.
Is that amazing bubbly-glass thing a chandelier? And the close-up detail of your kimono fabric is so beautiful. Have just reached the end of my bad time at work (by the end I had to grab the same skirt for a few days running but I piled on Bois des Iles with abandon) so that final picture gives me an image of decadence to aim for now, thank you!
I love Tchaikovsky’s music and while I was a bit embarrased about it at some point, I’ve stopped that nonsense. His first piano concerto is genius and the ballets are just such a pleasure. Even in Tallinn, where the production quality isn’t quite world class, I always enjoy them.
I’m glad your work situation is improving, it gets very draining if it goes on for too long. And yes, it’s a chandelier 🙂