HOW I DRESS FOR THE COLD...
...without feeling like a stuffed sausage.
The weather out there is very frightful. Here’s how I dress for it.
LAYER 1 : BASE LAYER
Generally, I like to keep this layer as slinky as possible so the next layer glides on top.
Bottom half:
I will only wear long underwear if absolutely necessary - I hate how it feels under regular clothes. If another layer is needed, I’ll wear shear hoisery under my jeans (I like these because they’re rather indestructible). If I’m going outside in the snow snow and I’m putting on my snow pants, I’ll wear Heat Tech or leggings (currently wearing these from Lululemon, but into these for the slink). I prefer leggings to long underwear because you don’t feel naked when it’s time to take off the snow pants and you’re still hanging out with other people.
Upper body:
Uniqlo (again) did an excellent collaboration with Alexander Wang a while ago and I got these super slinky tanks in white, black and light pink and they’re fantastic. While they are actual an Airism collab (essentially Heat Tech for summer), they’re a great first layer. Otherwise, I also love the Uniqlo U tanks (Uniqlo isn’t sponsoring this). I wear one almost everyday in the winter under sweaters. I wear an xs (instead of my usual small) so they fit closer and I don’t have to wear a bra. I also have these Heat Tech tanks and also love a classic undershirt (these too).
LAYER 2: MID LAYER
I went snowboarding for the first time in almost 20 years last winter. Leading up to it I was trying to figure out what I could wear that I already owned - I didn’t want to spend a bunch of money on something I might not do again. I thought I’d need a fleece or something similar, but then I remembered an interview I saw of Thom Brown running in one of his cardigans. I figured I could do the same.
Over the tank goes a thin, fitted cashmere crew neck sweater (wool makes me itchy), following by a vintage Prada or Miu Miu vneck cashmere cardigan (they used to go for $75 on TRR), and then a Lemaire cardigan (this one is similar). I like this cardigan because it is fitted in the body and the arms have a little more room. More thin knits here, here, here and here. More thin cardigans here, here, here and here. Second cardigans here, here and here. And a chic fleece here.
LAYER 3: OVERALLS
I got my snow overalls at Beacon’s closet probably 15 years ago (these and these are similar). They are not fancy, but they do the job. While having to go to the bathroom in overalls is beyond annoying, they really keep you the warmest since there’s no waist separation. I got this Carhartt pair during the last blizzard for more everyday wear and I have not regretted it.
LAYER 4: COATS & JACKETS
The Uniqlo packable puffers I have are very old, very light weight and they don’t seem to make the exact ones anymore (these are similar). If necessary, I’ll wear two of them (I have one in tan and one in black). These and these could also work. I’ll also layer one under a wool coat when called for. Not a puffer, but if I were going to get something new, I’d opt for this along with the matching pant.
I also am often asked about a “chic” longer down coat option. I have this from Khaite, but also love the OG from Norma Kamali.
I stole this coat from my dad over the holidays and it is beyond warm (and therefore very heavy). It had a belt that will hopefully one day surface in my parent’s apartment, (and maybe buttons) but I’m using a leather tie in the meantime to close and cinch it to keep the cold out. Besides the thickness, the ankle length is important for keeping my legs warm. This looks cozy.
I know fur is controversial, but according to the streets of New York City, vintage fur is most definitely back. While I don’t condone new fur for obvious reasons, and faux fur is essentially made of plastic, vintage fur is perfect and insanely warm. There are loads on the secondhand market and it’s often reasonably priced.
SHOES & ACCESSORIES
I never had Uggs growing up and probably looked down on them when they first came around in the early aughts, but I have been converted. While they are not your shoe for wet snow (you should treat them for when a little water inevitably gets on the toes), they are super cosy and warm and a potato shoe is in. I have been wearing them all winter, which has been shocking people - an assistant told me that seeing me wear them gave her “permission” to wear them herself. Even my husband bought a pair and I just got a pair for my son.
For the wet weather, get these. I also have classic LL Bean duck boots that will work for taller snow, but I am in the market for something else.
HATS
I have never really been a hat person and started babushkaing myself with a wool triangle scarf a couple winters ago as a solution. While it solved my hat problem, it is also a superior way to keep warm as it closes off your neck as well. I recommend wrapping yourself up in it before you put your coat on for maximum warmth. Options here, here, here, here, here and here.
When it’s really blistery, I will wear a hat on top of my babushka. I found this hat after seeing Diana Ross wear something similar in Mahogany. Fancier option here.
Stay warm!
WATCHING: everything
READING: between books, but just finished They All Came to Barneys: A Personal History of the World’s Greatest Store by Gene Pressman and have been meaning to start Keith McNally’s I Regret Almost Everything.
SEEING: Seeing Silence: The Paintings of Helene Schjerfbeck at The Met
EATING: Liquid Gold and Immunity Broth from Springbone
LISTENING: Articles of Interest, Season 7 (Gear)
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