Oslo In October : Shopping Edit

I know I haven't spoken about this much, but I'm taking a weeklong trip to Oslo, Norway this October! I've never been (and I'm a self-proclaimed Scandiphile) so I'm so excited! It's only about two weeks away now, so I'm starting to get myself ready - psychologically, emotionally, and yes, financially speaking. Oslo, from what I hear, is a pretty pricey city, so I'm trying to save most of my budget for when I'm actually in the city instead of spending it all on some shopping excursion beforehand. But, it's going to be fall in Scandinavia, and that means it's likely going to be closer to 45 degrees F and below, all the time. Oh yeah, and I read somewhere that travelers should expect only about three hours of sun each day?! What now?

Don't get me wrong, though, I actually really love the cold, and I consider Fall and Winter to be my two favorite seasons. It's just been a few years since I last experienced a truly chilly (or sun-less) fall or winter season so I'm still trying to wrap my head around what to take with me and what to leave behind. I know I need to take layers, but I also know that I don't want to have more than one suitcase with me since I'll be traveling solo. Oh, what's a girl to do with budget, weight, and weather constraints? Resort to a somewhat lethal combination of Pinterest and online shopping, of course. Check out some of the items I searched for (and why), and what I found (and even purchased) while scouring the Internet!

Shopping For...A Heavy Coat

Chilly days and nights, a good chance of rain, and minimal sunshine? I need a solid, heavy coat, immediately. No doubt about it, if there's one item that's likely to cost a bit more than the rest while shopping, it's a durable coat. By no means, though, do I need to spend hundreds of dollars on a luxe coat (no matter how much I may want to!), especially when it's only going to have to endure Scandinavia for one week before heading back to Los Angeles. I just need something warm, preferably long, and versatile (something I can use in Norway and also get some use out of when I'm back in Los Angeles).

Booties

Ah, booties. They are, without question, my favorite style of shoe. Flat or heeled, Spring or Fall, you can surely find me wearing them! With that said, it's safe to assume that I've got a pretty solid selection of booties in my closet. Most of them are black leather, but I also have a few suede and velvet pairs. For Norway, though, I can't really risk taking anything but leather since it might rain, and I plan to be out and about exploring during my days. Also, a part of me wants to step things up a notch and get a bold pair of booties, like a metallic pair or even red patent leather. But since this item isn't a true necessity for this trip, I'm definitely trying to keep what I may or may not buy fairly affordable.

*Colorful sweaters of varying styles and weights*

Knitwear

I mean, this is a given, no? I need a few sweaters for the trip, preferably of varying weights and styles. I'm a sucker for an oversized, fuzzy sweater, but I also love indulging in a classic thin black turtlenecks à la Steve Jobs. I actually recently donated and discarded of a lot of my sweaters because they were a wee bit too oversized and worn in, so I'm definitely going to be buying a few new goodies this coming week. However, I made sure to check online for a variety of styles, weights, and colors, because you can never have too much knitwear! No, but really, I also just wanted to make sure I buy a bright sweater or two to contrast my otherwise neutral wardrobe.

*Cropped, colorful and distressed denim bottoms*

Denim (& Bottoms in General)

You can't go wrong with the right pair of jeans, am I right? After years of trial and error, I've learned that my legs do well in midrise cigarette style pants, cropped at or slightly above the ankle. Lucky for me, I can apply this knowledge to both jeans and trousers, even though I don't wear the latter as often as I'm feeling I should. But, for Norway, I'm thinking about venturing outside of my denim-only routine and trying out some new styles - think plaid knit trousers - and textures - I'm eying you, corduroy. New city, new me?

Cold Weather Accessories

Ah, accessories. This is where it gets fun... and oftentimes, excessive. Really, accessories are my weak spot; when shopping, I usually wind up buying accessories and jewelry far more often than I do actual clothing. They're usually an easier purchase for me, and I don't feel half as much buyer's remorse afterward... until I check my credit card statements. That's the kicker! Since they're usually smaller individual purchases, I somehow always end up spending more than I plan for. And cold weather accessories are no better; if anything, they're worse because they typically fulfill an intended purpose that's more than just "spicing up an outfit." After much digging, though, I did manage to find some versatile, yet inexpensive pieces (some are even reversible!)