Seven Of The Most Beautiful Woolly Jumpers You Need Right Now

Winter has well and truly hit Germany and, for the first time in many years, it's promising to stay for a while. So, while the Sales have already eliminated most of the cute knitwear for the season, we have scoured the shops for some beautiful woolly jumpers worth investing right now. Whatever your budget is, here we've listed seven of our favourites:

Chicwish, 80€. This monochrome beauty is perfect for those cold winter days, as it will keep you warm in all the right places. Practical AND oh so stylish with those bows on the sleeves.

 

COS, 79€. COS have a knack for taking something simple and making it beautiful. It's what they've done with this grey wool jumper, which is so "business in the front, party in the back".

Marks & Spencer, 44€. Blush pink has to be the colour of the season. That's why we are loving this oh-so affordable funnel neck, flute sleeve knit. Can you get any more trends in one piece? Such a good buy!

&Other Stories, 55€. The 70s trend has been around for a while and it seems like it's here to stay. If you've been to scared to try it out so far, this jumper is the perfect way to incorporate the trend without going all out.

Freepeople, 585€. Made from 100% Merino Wool, this jumper may be a bit out there but it's so cosy and you can be sure to stay warm in this. We think it would look really cool layered under this awesome Acne biker jacket.

Endless Rose, 78€. Details on sleeves have been huge this winter and we're obsessed with this number, which would look awesome paired with white jeans for that total winter whites look a la Chiara Ferragni or Yeezy Season 3 (read more on that here). The best thing: you can get this on Revolve!

Mango, (SALE!!) 19,99€. How could we not include a striped sweater in this line-up? The tie-up bows on the sides make this just that little more special and as with all stripes, can be paired with just about anything from skirts to jeans and even for work.

Let us know in the comments, which is your favourite! Happy Shopping! 😉

Ski Week: what's the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup?

According to the internet, the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup is the top international circuit of alpine skiing competitions. Its first ever race was held in Germany, in Berchtesgaden to be exact, in January 1967. However, to the athletes competing in these tough and intense races, the World Cup means so much more. Some would probably consider an overall win more precious than a gold medal at the Olympic Games. The crystal globe trophy weighs a whole 9kg with the individual discipline trophy weighing in at 3,5kg.

Every year, the top skiers of the world compete in six disciplines, the Downhill, Super-G, Giant Slalom, Slalom, Super Combined and Team Parallel Slalom. In every race, points are awarded to the top 30 racers and at the end of the season, the competitor with the most points wins the overall cup. Individual cups are also awarded for each discipline. Most of the races are held in the alpine countries in Europe but the tour also has stops along the way in Scandinavia and North America.

Slalom is considered by most, to be the superior discipline, as it's the most technically challenging. It's about very short turns through the blue and red gates, quick thinking and fast movements. Usually the skis used are very short. The Giant Slalom is also a technical discipline. It involves a greater distance between gates and larger skis. The two speed disciplines are the Super G and Downhill. In the Downhill, skiers reach speeds of around 130km/h and use weight, as well as aerodynamic positioning to bring the fastest time down the hill. The Super-G involves a little more turning through wide set gates. The Super Combined discipline measures the fastest time from a downhill race and a slalom race. Since the physique of speed skiers and technical skiers are very different, the Super Combined is a tough discipline, that not many skiers compete in.

So far, in the 2014/15 season, Austrian Marcel Hirscher leads the overall World Cup ahead of Norwegian Kjetil Jansrud and German Fritz Dopfer. In the women's, Slovenian Tina Maze is more than 200 points ahead of all-American girl, 19 year old Michaela Shiffrin and Austrian Anna Fenninger. Other successful skiers this season have been Henrik Kristoffersen (NOR), Felix Neureuther (GER), Alexis Pinturault (FRA), Kathrin Zettel (AUT), Eva-Maria Brem (AUT) and Lindsey Vonn (USA). Sadly, viking Aksel Lund Svindal (NOR) and Bode Miller (USA) have been missing from the circuit so far but with the World Championships in Vail/Beaver Creek (USA) just around the corner, we're sure to see some great skiing by all competing nations.

Watch "Streif - One Hell of a Ride", to see how 5 athletes prepare for one of the toughest races in World Cup history. And find out more at www.fis-ski.com

Ski Week: Garmisch-Partenkirchen

As part of our research for this week's Ski Week Special, we took a two day trip to Garmisch-Partenkirchen, a quaint little town in the German alps. This town is not only home to the highest mountain of Germany, the Zugspitze, but also where Germany's best skiers come from. We wanted to see for ourselves what makes this town so great and of course, where Maria Höfl-Riesch and Felix Neureuther made their first turns on the precious white gold.

Garmisch-Classic is a huge skiing area, which has something on offer for everyone. There were a lot of good local skiers doing their thing during the week so you can expect it to be a little more touristy on the weekends, especially since it's only an hours drive from Munich and one of the best ski areas in Germany. The best thing to do in Garmisch is to get up early. You'll be greeted by wonderfully prepared  slopes, with long downhill slopes that will still be empty in the mornings. Throughout the day, it'll get a lot more busy, especially as school finishes up. Garmisch-Partenkirchen has two ski clubs so it's no surprise to see kids training and having an immense amount of fun, doing what they love after school. Some slopes will be closed off for training but it's so much fun to watch these young talents speed down the hills and jump over moguls as if they could fly! 

Garmisch is also one of the most anticipated stops on the FIS World Cup tour. The Kandahar race is renowned for being extremely steep and fast paced. On a normal day, the course is open to the public and you can even have a little look at the start house right at the top of the first drop. It's a pretty tough course and not one for the beginner but a lot of fun if it's not too icy. 

Garmisch-Partenkirchen is such a beautiful little tourist town. It has lots of cute little shops and a really nice town park. You're bound to find a great hotel, guest house or even hostel here. And if you're taking the day off from skiing, it's always fun to visit the Olympic Park, which hosted the 1936 Winter Olympics and still hosts part of the 4-Hills Ski Jumping Tournament every year. You could go to the top of Germany, the Zugspitze, take a winter hike or go swimming. Garmisch has so much to offer!

Discover more at www.gapa.de or www.zugspitze.de

Ski Week: It's all about the accessories!

You've chosen a set of great skis and boots but you're still missing a vital element of your equipment: the accessories. Here's a couple awesome ones that will not only make you look great but also withstand any weather and slope situation that may come at you. Because there's no such thing as bad conditions... you just need the right materials. 

Helmet - first and foremost, you need to be thinking about your safety out there on the slopes. And since you're not the only one on the slopes, it doesn't really matter how great of a skier you might be. When choosing a helmet, check the fit, comfort, goggle fit, chin strap and ventilation. Here are some helmets tried, tested and approved by the German Ski Association: 

      

Poc Fornix, Uvex Plus Pro, K2 Rival

Goggles - when selecting goggles, its preferable to choose ones that are the same make as your helmet. If not, at least try them on in the shop with the helmet you have. These days, there's such a wide range to choose from but we'd advise to go for a pair that has interchangeable lenses or automatic lens tinting, a perfect fit for all weather. Check out Uvex for some really great affordable and stylish options. Also make sure it fits your head and your face and it's not too big or too small. Tip: orange, yellow or red lenses are better for bad weather so you can see bumps better, reflective lenses are better for good weather - they reflect the sunlight and clear lenses are great for any weather. 

Poc, Oakley, Uvex

Poles -  with ski poles, it's also important to check a couple things: the length, the material, what you'll be using them for. Your arms should be about a 90˚ angle when you hold them. Nowadays, poles made of carbon are the most popular, as it's a pretty strong material. If you're a downhill racer, you'll probably want to choose poles that are a little taller and stronger so you can really push yourself off the start house but for most of us, a pair by Leki or Komperdell will do the job. 

Komperdell, Leki Comp 16C

Rucksack - having a rucksack when taking a ski trip isn't the most important thing, but it's a handy accessory to have with you. If you're going to be skiing off piste, in deep snow, it's vital to carry an avalanche kit with you and you can even get rucksacks with built in airbags, which may save your life if you're trapped under an avalanche. If you're just an average skier, you might want to carry a couple energy bats, a hat and a flask with a hot drink.

 Dakine, Jack Wolfskin, Evoc

Performance Underwear - being outdoors, in colder climates, underwear is as important as outerwear. You need to be warm and you need something that will transfer sweat during exercise. UnderArmour have created a ColdGear® Infrared system, which is a soft ceramic coating that absorbs body heat and holds onto it, keeping you warmer, longer. Falke have brilliant socks, which are made of merino wool and have padding, that will provide good contact with your ski boot. 

Gloves - keeping your hands warm is vital when you're doing snow sports. Ziener have gloves for any type of winter sport that are great quality at affordable prices. With durable waterproofness, outstanding breathability and uncompromising quality, you can always rely on these GORE-TEX® gloves in any condition. Another great tip for gloves is to look for them at outlets, to get an even greater price. 

Ski Week: Choose one of these skis for your trip

When you embark on what will undoubtedly be the greatest adventure of your life, you must first decide what materials you will take with you, to give you the best experience. One that is perfect for you and only you. Skiing is no exception and with many many different skis to choose from, here are a just a few, that will guarantee you excitement, fun and thrill - on and off piste. 

                   

1. Elan Delight - the lightest ski developed by women, for women. These skis only weigh about 3,5kg and they're a great innovation for women of any ability. WaveLight technology give this ski a soft flex while at the same time providing extreme stability, which makes turning and carving on the slopes easy. Great skis, especially for beginners! 

2. Head Supershape Magnum - another popular design by one of the most successful sports equipment companies in the world, this new multifunction model is equipped with a V-shape design and ERA 3.0 S-technology, a combination of shape and geometry, which gives this ski rocker, radius and stability, the perfect mixture for any condition. 

3. Nordica NRGY 90 Evo - an all-mountain ski for men and women, perfect for all types of snow because of its curved shape at both ends. Kitted out with a light core and titanium inserts, the NRGY ski is a revolutionary design, which is ultralight but achieves high performance on any terrain. 

           

4. Atomic Redster Marcel Hirscher SL - anything that's good enough for the best skier in the world is good enough for us! The fastest Slalom ski combined superior performance with the exclusive design by the three time overall World Cup winner. This ski is made for thrill seekers, who always go to their limits and its wood core and titanium layers transfer power directly onto the slopes. Perfect for racers and Hirscher fans. 

5. Head Super Joy - seems like light skiing is in this year. Head have developed another ultralight design made of graphene, a hard but light material, which along with its optimum shape, gives speedy racers an amazing feeling of almost flying over perfectly prepared slopes. 

6. Völkl Racetiger Speedwall SL - our personal favourite. Völkl has developed a new ultimate vibration object technology, which cushions vibrations through a 360˚ damper and results in smoothness and excellent balance. What makes this ski stand out from others is not just its design and colour but also agility and quick reaction. A beautiful German ski with maximum efficiency. 

Each ski comes with a binding that fits perfectly, so to complete your materials, add these perfect ski boots by Lange: 

Lange RS 110 Wide - an evolution of the state of the art race boot. An elite level boot for professionals and technical skiers who demand the highest performance. This boot offers a precise fit and uncomparable performance thanks to the World Cup fit liner and new custom tongue. 

7 January Wardrobe Items

1. Inca Jaquard Cardigan

2. Falke Black Tights

3. Marc Jacobs Watch

4. Tommy Hilfiger Camel Coat

5. Accessorize Tribal Print Scarf

6. Rei Hiking Boots

7. Swell Grey Floppy Hat

7 Holiday Destinations 2015

1. Tallinn, Estonia - if you're more on a budget, take a city break! Europe is full of awesome cities, but why not choose one of the less well known ones? Visit Tallinn in Estonia, a city that won the Capital of Culture award in 2011. It's a very arty city, with rooftop cinemas and many art events year round. It's a university city, so students really make this place tick. You'll find hip cafés and pubs everywhere and a night's sleep will cost you from just €17 upwards. The fact it's by the seaside also gives it a really relaxed vibe, in contrast to the very historical old town. 

2. Costa Rica - this tiny central American country is known for it's amazing nature. More than half the county is covered in forest and even though it's small, it has more than 60 national parks and reserves. In stark contrast to the lush greenery, you'll also find long, sandy beaches along both its coasts, which look like a dream. A return flight is around €1000 but Costa Rica is definitely worth an investment. Also visit the capital, San José, which is thriving with galleries, cafés and novelty shops. Music, art and entertainment are ripe on every corner of this beautiful city.

3. Greece - the colours of Greece's flag, blue and white, really reflect the colours of this beautiful country. Don't write Greece off because it's taken a financial hit. Visit Santorini or Mykonos and experience the bluest skies you've ever seen, against the white clay houses, little unique churches and the most beautiful beaches. On the coast of Greece, you'll also be able to find unspoilt little islands, which will undoubtedly make you wanna stay forever. On the mainland, Greece's capital Athens is actually making the most of the economic situation. Many new restaurants have sprung up and the Acropolis is still a must see, with its museum celebrating its sixth birthday already. A great getaway this year! 

4. Tatra mountains, Slovakia - take a ski trip to a lesser known place this year. The Tatra mountains in Slovakia are perfect. Jasná is one of the more popular resorts in the lower Tatras, which provides new terrain for skiers and snowboarders at any level. The infrastructure has greatly improved in the last few years. The Freeride World Tour, World Snowboard Tour usually make a stop in the Tantras and the Alpine Skiing Junior World Champs were held here in 2014, which really put Jasná on the map. The best thing about skiing in Slovakia is that it's still much cheaper than France, Switzerland or Austria and flights from most European airports are a bargain! (from London Luton €20 one way)

5. Switzerland - probably the best European country to visit year round. It doesn't matter when you go, because you will always find beauty. Be it in the winter months, when you can watch the most breathtaking sunsets over the alps and ski down the perfectly prepared slopes, or during spring, when Swiss cities are awakening from hibernation. In summer, you can find many beautiful mountain lakes and take a swim in natural waters, after hiking through Switzerland's beautiful and untouched nature. In the autumn, you'll see the sun turn leaves golden and dip a whole country in colours you have never seen before. It'll cost you just a bit but visit Zurich, Zermatt or Geneva, to get three very different cities. Or take a road trip to experience the three cultures; the mediterranean Italian, diplomatic French and traditional German. 

6. California - a huge state, worthy of a lot of your time. Two great cities that need to be on the to do list are LA and San Fransisco, where you'll live the full American life and see the backdrops of many movies. However, California has so much more to offer. Visit Yosemite, America's third national park, which opened in 1890. More than 1,200 square miles of valleys, meadows and waterfalls are protected by law and it really is a sight for sore eyes. There's so much to do from hiking or rafting to fishing and rock climbing. This year parks the 124th anniversary, which will also offer some great tours through the park. If you want to relax as part of your trip, go to Palm Springs. Among modern architecture and large amounts of palm trees, you'll find spas and retreats wherever you go. Or try Coachella Festival to take you back to the days of your youth and experience great music and American spirit. 

7. South Africa - if you have time, visit one of the most diverse countries in the world - the home of the Rainbow Nation. It's a dream to take a road trip along the Garden Route, to see the African wildlife in all its variety: a safari like you've only seen it in a picture book. From wild monkeys, to Zebras or Elephants, the national parks in South Africa are so beautiful. Of course, Cape Town must be on the list of things to see. Table mountains, the Cape of Good Hope, the harbour, the football stadium, we could go on. Cape Town is renowned to be one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Also visit Mapugnubwe National Park, Johannesburg or hop over to Lesotho for even more natural beauty! Our favourite destination for this year!