Tired of not feeling your toes when you’re halfway out of the dorm? The clattering in your knees and teeth getting in the way of your game? Already dressed to the size of a snowman but still freezing your ass off? Though a miniature heat wave took the bite out of the first week of Winter Quarter, the balmy weather won’t last. These tips will help you bundle up in style while making it across campus without turning blue.
Material World
What are you made of? Or, at least, what are your clothes made of? Natural fabrics like wool, down and silk are excellent insulators. There are also many high-tech fabrics that promise to keep the wind out, your skin dry and even prevent cancer (okay, the last one is a lie). One of the best is Thinsulate, a thin fabric that claims to be warmer than down. It’s the stuff in North Face fleeces, but it’s also available at J.Crew, Eddie Bauer and L.L. Bean. You can also find Thinsulate in gloves, hats and some boots best described as “industrial.”
Coat of Armor
The coat is the most essential piece for winter. According to InStyle, one of this year’s hottest trends is the loose coat, which leaves plenty of room to pile on an extra sweater underneath. Also in are statement coats (eye-grabbing styles in bright colors or patterns), the pea coat, military-inspired styles and the old, warm stand-by: the puffer coat — they used to look like blankets, but have gotten quite an update. Look for one with a cinched waist to give a little figure. You’ll feel warm as a bed bug, but look much hotter.
Playing Footsie
Waterproof leather shoes with a rubber sole are the best bet for your feet. Leather insulates and rubber keeps feet planted on the sidewalk. You can buy sprays that will waterproof your leather, like ReviveX, at most shoe stores and sporting-goods shops. Want to look like Snow White and not one of her seven dwarfs this winter? Keep stumpy shins at bay with high boots.
Underneath those boots, wool socks will warm your feet much more than cotton ones, especially when wet. Cotton holds cold on your feet when wet and takes awhile to dry.
Head Games
Most of your body heat escapes from your head, according to the American Red Cross. Wearing a hat that also covers the ears is pivotal and stylish. British Vogue says hats are one of the top trends this winter whether it’s a beret (seen on Anna Sui and DKNY’s runways) or something fluffy and furry (à la Michael Kors). AskMen.com agrees hats are in for the fellas, too.
Just Like an Onion
Layer, layer, layer. The more layers you wear, the warmer you’ll be. It’s an easy equation. Leggings, tights and long underwear keep legs warm while taking up minimal room (and can also help pull in all that jiggle). But in the quest for warmth, many cold warriors have been known to go overboard. Sweat, especially on cotton fabric, is the enemy of warmth. When in a classroom or a dorm room that is impossibly warm, taking off a few layers can prevent sweating and freezing once you get back outside.
Surviving winter is not too difficult. It’s a combination of common sense and quality clothing. Oh, and if all else fails, ducking into random buildings is an acceptable method for warming up.