The autumn and winter seasons are the one time of year when everything suddenly slows down, and we turn towards life’s softer comforts. The weather begs for cosy nights in, warmth, and small luxurious moments. Of course, the easiest way to ensure you stay warm and cosy this autumn is to invest in the best cold-weather essentials. If you’re unsure of what to spend your money on to get ready for autumn, here are our suggestions for the top 5 essentials for surviving autumn in South Africa.
Get the gear
First thing’s first, when cooler weather sets in, it’s important to ensure you can beat the cold with an inspired and considered wardrobe. Now is the time to reflect and embrace the new season in style. This year, stores like Woolworths are reimagining the comforts of autumn and winter fashion with elevated staples to see you through the year. Think warm puffer jackets, cosy knitwear, soft fleece, and versatile denim. Look for garments that are made with only the softest, most comfortable quality fabrics, so you always feel snug and stylish.
Also read: How to Care for Your Denim
This year, texture is everything and with textural pieces, layering brings every look to life. Knitwear paired with denim is a timeless duo, while a touch of fleece adds an undeniable sense of luxury. And with a puffer, you can tie the entire look together. You can add and remove layers as you transition from indoors to outdoors, so that you’re always ready for any setting this season. Ladies can style coats and knits with pleather leggings for an ultimate stylish and sophisticated look, or style denims with a fleece hoody and chunky boots for active chic. For an elegant silhouette, belt your knits.
Heat your home
Of course, the best way to warm up your home is with an electric or gas heater. However, finding the right brand, product, and size to fit your room is key, and we’ve put together a handy guide to help you select the best heater for your budget and needs. Check out our guide here — Buying a Heater in SA: Everything You Need to Know.
As a more affordable and accessible option, blankets are always a great solution, but buying the right thread-count, material, and size is important to note. PriceCheck has a large range of blankets available, with electric blankets also on offer too.
Warm from the inside
What’s a chilly autumn weekend without some hot chocolate, tea or coffee to keep you warm? Whether a rooibos tea, foamy cappuccino, or indulgent hot chocolate is your poison, it’s important to stock up on your favourite hot drinks and home comforts for the cooler months. Coffee lovers, now is the perfect time to invest in an easy-to-use coffee machine or coffee capsule machine, for a quick coffee whenever the mood strikes.
Stay healthy this winter
We all wish we could stay home on the couch all day, every day this winter, but on the days when you do have to brave the cold, it’s important to make sure that you don’t catch some of the nasty winter-related illnesses that are floating around. By taking the necessary precautions to avoid catching colds and flu, you will have less downtime during the winter months. Autumn is the perfect time to start beefing up your body’s illness fighting abilities with the right mix of immune-boosting vitamin supplements and health aids.
Enjoy family-friendly movie marathons
It’s time to break out the sweaters and PJs because you’re in for many a cosy night on the couch this autumn. Make the most of your binge-watching sessions with the best streaming gear. Forget complicated laptop setups or struggling or watching on your mobile device, streaming devices and media boxes enable you to turn your existing TV, with a USB port, into a smart TV in seconds. Stream the latest entertainment straight to your TV in seconds and never miss an episode again. Invest in a streaming device like the plug-and-play Xiaomi Mi Box or Google Chromecast for easy streaming wherever you are.
Don’t forget the snacks! While we do tend to gravitate towards the high-fat, high-carb comfort foods during winter, invest in a popcorn machine and make your own healthier air-popped popcorn, or try other healthy snacks like spicy roasted chickpeas or homemade pizza with reduced-fat cheese. Now that sounds delicious!
