Dear BB, I'm moving to Chicago in less than two weeks and I've completely forgotten how to dress for cold weather! ... Could you possibly do a quick post on what a (few) typical outfit(s) looks like? (If it helps, I'm a woman in her late 20s and need to dress somewhere between professionally and casual, i.e. jeans are fine on most days.) —Fashionably Challenged
Dear Fashionably Challenged,You're one brave soul to move to the Windy City (my hometown) in the middle of winter, but congrats as you embark on this new adventure!
Here are some tips for dressing for the cold:
Invest in a heavy wool trench-style coat that hits A) mid-thigh or B) falls at or below the knee so you can wear it with dresses/skirts. This will keep you warm and stylish for a good 6 to 9 months out of the year.
Next, invest in at least one thick, warm cashmere scarf, a cashmere/wool hat that covers the ears, and densely knit gloves or leather gloves lined in cashmere. Chicago winters are bitterly cold and you just can't fool around with cheap polyester, it will do nothing against the cold wind.
Also, you'll need tall leather boots with a low heel for walking, if you can afford La Canadienne or Aquatalia, great. Either way, invest in a couple pairs of warm wool socks (I like cashmere or SmartWool, not so itchy) and possibly even silk longjohns from WinterSilks.com (thanks to Sal over at Already Pretty for the tip on those).
Depending on how warm your office is, you can probably get away with long sleeve layering tees and cardigans, wool blazers, or pretty blouses topped with warm shawl collar cardigans. I mostly wear jeans all year round, just stick to dark washes for work. Black pants work well too.
On "warm" days (over 40 degrees) you can have fun with colored or textured tights and dresses or skirts, so long as you have that warm trench to shield you.
Hopefully this should be enough to get you started, then once you're in the elements you'll have a better sense of what you need. I always loved people watching while riding the El downtown or the bus (especially north-south routes near the lake). Admittedly, I always choose warmth and practicality over style (I know, blasphemy right) but that's what growing up in the Midwest can do to a girl. Good luck!
[Photo credit: Chic winter looks courtesy LuckyMag.com, including my high school pal Rosie (far left). Love her style!]
Next, invest in at least one thick, warm cashmere scarf, a cashmere/wool hat that covers the ears, and densely knit gloves or leather gloves lined in cashmere. Chicago winters are bitterly cold and you just can't fool around with cheap polyester, it will do nothing against the cold wind.
Also, you'll need tall leather boots with a low heel for walking, if you can afford La Canadienne or Aquatalia, great. Either way, invest in a couple pairs of warm wool socks (I like cashmere or SmartWool, not so itchy) and possibly even silk longjohns from WinterSilks.com (thanks to Sal over at Already Pretty for the tip on those).
Depending on how warm your office is, you can probably get away with long sleeve layering tees and cardigans, wool blazers, or pretty blouses topped with warm shawl collar cardigans. I mostly wear jeans all year round, just stick to dark washes for work. Black pants work well too.
On "warm" days (over 40 degrees) you can have fun with colored or textured tights and dresses or skirts, so long as you have that warm trench to shield you.
Hopefully this should be enough to get you started, then once you're in the elements you'll have a better sense of what you need. I always loved people watching while riding the El downtown or the bus (especially north-south routes near the lake). Admittedly, I always choose warmth and practicality over style (I know, blasphemy right) but that's what growing up in the Midwest can do to a girl. Good luck!
[Photo credit: Chic winter looks courtesy LuckyMag.com, including my high school pal Rosie (far left). Love her style!]
Oooh! And a tip I picked up via Solo Lisa y Nada Mas: Tights beneath leggings. Double-layer happiness without the bulk!
What I really enjoyed this winter thus far is my floor length puffy coat. No it's not glamorous or stylish, but it's warm. And when you're in a skirt/dress for formal events, it's NICE to be able to feel warm.
Cashmere is expensive but oh so worth it.
I found that by layering tights then two layers of leggings keeps me warmer than jeans with a pair of leggings. After all, jeans are more porous.