Nobody wants to be cold, but everyone wants to look good. At the heart of winter fashion is this quandary. For years, I've tried to find the perfect winter accessories that prove you can wear fashion forward and everyday outfits even when it's 20 degrees and snowing outside. There have been several setbacks—including a recent decision to walk outside in suede, maroon heels for 20 minutes because a Lyft would be too expensive. (Side note: The moral of that story is that if you're too cheap to pay for a Lyft, bring a pair of comfortable walking shoes). Yet, now, that I'm an official adult (I've had a job for more than a year!), I think I've found the key to looking great, and staying warm.
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Key one: Think before you buy. As I've mentioned before, I'm a commuter. When I use to live in D.C. that meant I was a 10-minute walk from my office building. Now, I'm a 10-minute walk to the train station, a 15-minute train ride, and then another 15-minute walk to work. All in all, I spend 25 minutes walking. Doesn't sound like much. Right? Wrong. Spending 15 minutes outside in freezing cold, avoiding black ice, and dodging snow flurries, takes a beating on your body. This is why I always try to think about how much time I'll need to spend outside before buying something. Some accessories our good in theory; everyone loves knee-high socks paired with a mini skirt, but not at the risk of developing a cold rash on the upper part of your exposed thigh.
Key two: Know your fabrics. There is nothing worse than finding out you just shelled out a ton of money on a polyester and cashmere-blend winter glove instead of 100% cashmere. Some of you may not know why. That's ok! Here's some basic winter fabric tips. Cashmere and wool are very warm and insulating. I always make sure my coats are 100% wool, and to buy cashmere sweaters, gloves, and scarves. Of course, not everyone enjoys the feeling of wool, on their bare skin. But, one place that you probably won't mind the fabric is on your feet. I love wool socks, their' great for keeping your feet dry even if you sweat, and they provide an extra layer of warmth between your feet and the cold ground.
Key three: Layers, on layers. Ok, you've got your accessories chosen, you've checked the fabric, and you think you're ready to brace the cold. But what about the moment you enter a building that has the heat set to the high 70's. You'll want to strip off everything and go back to your t-shirt and jeans look of the summer. This is a classic problem in places where heating is expensive. My office is always ridiculously hot in the winter, and the heat makes wearing certain outfits unbearable. If I dress to warm under my coat, I can spend the rest of my workday, fanning my sweaty face. That's why I'm all about the layers. The idea of layering goes back to the notion of people who would work outside in the cold. If you're building up a sweat outside in the cold, you can easily get sick if that cold sweat stays on your body. Wearing a sweat resistant layer, underneath a warm layer, under an insulating layer, can help you stay warm and dry. I apply this logic to my office outfits. I should be able to take off any of the layers to help me deal with the ridiculously warm heating.
Key four: Don't be afraid to spend. Outerwear and winter accessories should be taken seriously. In the long run, investing in a pair of tech winter gloves or ski-slope ready mittens will keep you warm and ready for any winter weather. That's how you know you're an adult: You stop buying cheap $20 accessories, and invest in long-lasting, good quality items.
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