Winter White and how to prepare for Fall in Ottawa

We still have three weeks of summer! So, you're probably not thinking about sweaters. But here's the thing, that's exactly why you should be.

We just unpacked some gorgeous Winter Whites in the shop and I’m too excited not to talk about it. It's never too early to stock up on your winter whites, because right now, they're your summer whites.

Our lightweight sweaters are the perfect transition piece: they layer beautifully over a tank on a cool evening, they don't feel as heavy or dark as our winter pieces and no one has picked-over the racks yet! So it’s not about settling for whatever's left in your size.

Think of it less as "winter shopping" and more as getting ahead if white is your colour in the winter. We hardly ever see white in the true winter. It’s all navies and blacks. MAYBE if you’re lucky we’ll get some plum in there.

 

Here’s what we’re… What I’m Loving:

Deb isn’t a big fan of the winter white but there is a white for everyone. You just have to find what it is.

Cream, oatmeal, ivory, or a true blue white. These are all different tones of the same colour and it is genuinely one of the chicest things you can wear once the city goes grey. It's easier to pull off than people think, because you're not matching, you're layering shades. So you absolutely can wear a bunch of different shades of white. Bone next to ivory next to a warmer cream reads as intentional, not "I only own one colour." Especially if you had an accessory that really made the whole thing pop. 

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You can really see that Deb likes the winter black and white! 

If monochrome still feels like a leap, start smaller. A crisp white sweater over dark denim. A cream topper over an all-black outfit. Even just a winter-white scarf against a darker layer. Small doses, big payoff and it's exactly as wearable right now as it will be in January.

Keep at least one grounding element, a black boot, a camel bag, a dark denim, so the whole look stays styled instead of accidental. That part doesn't change no matter what month it is.

We’re right in that time of the year when the mornings have a bit of a bite to them but the afternoons are still warm. And every year we see ladies walking in the streets with full winter sweaters rushing fall. We spend all year waiting for these beautiful summer days, why are we trying to skip ahead to the pumpkin spice? No, what you do is you have your transitions, keep them light (in colour and fabric) and enjoy! 

That's the whole appeal of buying it now instead of waiting: you get months of wear out of a single piece, not weeks.

Why We're Not Waiting for the "Winter" Rule

"No white after Labour Day" was invented to keep people in their lane, and frankly, we're not into that. Cream, ivory, oatmeal, bone, the whole winter white family reads completely different depending on what you pair it with. Right now, it's a light knit over linen trousers. In December, the same sweater goes under a wool coat with boots. It's not a summer colour or a winter colour. It's a year-round neutral that happens to look its best against dark denim, black boots, and eventually, snow. See? Lots of ways to wear it.

Texture Is Doing All the Work

The trick to winter white and the thing that separates "chic" from "sterile"  is texture. Flat, smooth white can look stark. But the second you introduce a chunky knit, a boucle, a bit of waffle-weave, it goes cozy instead of cold, even in a lightweight, transitional fabric. Take the Olivia by Habitat sweaters. They have so much texture and it adds a little something to your overall look. 

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And because the tops have so much texture and drape you can wear your comfy pull on pant! The white pull on pants are simply the best. They’re comfortable, they’re not see through. You can’t see any of my jiggles and I’m wearing them in a video on the internet. That’s how you know they’re good pants! 

How to Wear It Right Now (and Later)

Today: A lightweight cream sweater layered over a tank, with sandals or sneakers and light denim. Easy, breathable, done.

September/October: Same sweater, swap the tank for a long-sleeve base layer, add ankle boots and a light jacket.

December/January: Same sweater again, this time under a wool or shearling topper, with tall boots and a scarf.

One piece, three seasons.

And just look, we got Deb into some winter whites after all! Just had to throw a little animal print in there. 

So, Come Try On! We’ll see you soon.

Photos are one thing, but winter white is a texture-and-fit colour, it really does look better in person than on a screen. Come feel the difference between "flat white" and "cozy winter white" for yourself, while we've still got the best selection on the floor and before the fall rush picks it clean.

And let us know what you think in the comments!