Meg's Blog

Meg is a writer and, as well as some dozen non-fiction books, has co-authored five novels under the name Annie Sanders. She lives in the Cotswolds with her husband, twin teenagers (one of each) and two black-and-white cats.

Meg’s favourite websites are Astley Clarke (well, a girl can dream, can't she?), John Lewis, ASOS and Rococo Chocolates.

Too Cool To Be Warm

Published on Wednesday 3rd December 2008

On a freezing cold morning in February this year, the 15 year old son of a friend of mine eventually gave in to his mother’s pleas that he should wear his warm (and very expensive) jacket on one condition: that the moment he heard the school bus coming, he would take it off and hide it in the hedge behind the bus shelter for my friend to pick up later. This might just about work in our remote part of the Cotswolds, but it’s far from ideal.

It’s enough to make you despair. But the awful irony is, I can remember exactly the same battles with my mother when I was a teenager. Being warm is simply not cool. Fortunately, fashion has swung around to be on our side, at least for a while, so I’m taking advantage of it while I can.

Thanks to a band called N-Dubz (no, me neither!), Peruvian Inca knitted hats with earflaps are in, although they’re now referred to as ‘Dappy hats’ after the band member who’s made them his trademark. So basically, a centuries old culture has been swept aside by an 18 year old singer from North London. But such is fashion. And since my son hasn’t worn a hat with earflaps since he was about six months old, I shouldn’t be ungrateful. Urban Outfitters have a tempting range for both girls and boys.

My daughter is particularly keen on a trappers hat. Not real fur, though - that would never do for her! I found just the thing at ASOS in a funky, punky check, while Paul Smith has a gorgeous woollen version and a sheepskin one that looks sooo cosy.

Scarves are huge (or rather, long, skinny and with pompoms) at the moment with my daughter and their friends. I found some lovely playful ones on Jo Gordon’s gorgeous website – number 10 is a surefire hit with picky teenage girls. They make fantastic Christmas gifts and you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing that your teens are well wrapped up this winter.

Of course, my daughter will still be wearing denim shorts and my son’s underpants will be clearly in view above the waistband of his ridiculously low-slung jeans. But we have to pick our battles, don’t we?

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