Winter Layers

Ugh! Winter’s deep freeze has hit the Northeast. Happens every year. We have a period of mild weather and we all start thinking, “it might just be a mild winter”. Nope. Just because we have a week that is warmer than average doesn’t mean that Mother Nature isn’t coming to remind us all that winter is here to kick your butt.

I went to College in South Carolina (GO GAMECOCKS). It took close to the entire four years for me to adjust to the warm/sometimes hot weather… And just as soon as my blood was thin, I moved back to Maine and spent that first winter back dying. Like, straight dying. Of course, I just wasn’t used to it, but also, I was young and fashion trumped function… and I was an idiot.

Pumps in the snow. Skirts without tights. Suede, not waterproof boots. A pink coat with no hood or lining. I just thought that if I dressed warm, I would be a quote from Beetlejuice, “Deliver me from LLBean”. Luckily, I smarted up real quick. Only took one winter of torturing myself to realize that being warm in the winter and looking stylish can be accomplished. It’s all about layers and function.

Let’s start with Footwear. Once your feet are cold and wet, it’s over. Doneski. A lot of people like wool socks to stay warm, and if you do, then great. For me, my feet tend to sweat when I’m wearing non-breathable boots (AKA waterproof), so I like a really thick cotton sport sock. One that goes up all the way to below my knee. If you live in a region where snow actually falls, you know that suede is a no-go for shoes. The snow, salt, sand will destroy a pair of suede boots in a day. Stick to leather and rubber boots that will keep your feet dry and last for years to come. I’ve been living in my (pictured above) white leather pull-on lug sole boots* this winter. They keep my feet dry, they grip the slippery conditions and they’re super cute.

Outterwear is another essential winter wardrobe staple that anyone living in cold conditions will need. Remember, you’re wearing your coat for months at a time and it’s the first thing people see you wearing, so invest in a really nice one. For years I’ve had a black Calvin Klein down coat that I’ve been living in, but I’ve been wearing less black these days, so I pulled the trigger on a cream Patagonia Coat and It’s incredible. Stylish, super warm and has a detachable hood, which is everything when you like to layer hooded sweatshirts without adding bulk. When it’s snowing/sleeting, the hood is clutch in keeping my hairstyle sleek.

Lastly, it’s essential to focus on layering. No matter what you are doing, at some point your body temperature is going to change, your environment is going to change, you’re going to want to be able to adjust to those varying temperatures. Check out my cream and white layered look above. Waterproof boots with thick cotton socks. I like the scrunch my socks, it’s kinda trending and gives my ankles padding where the leather boots hit my shin. Slim fit sweats are lined with fleece**, the turtleneck crop top*** gaps where the matching shacket starts and ends and can be closed for more modesty. A cute knit hat and my cream Patagonia Coat on top and I’m ready for anything winter throws at me.

*White Boots are Target

**The sweatsuit is from a company that just went out of business, sorry.

***The cropped turtleneck is ZARA