BABY, IT’S (NOT THAT) COLD OUTSIDE…Here in New York City, it has been unseasonably warm in the low 60s this December. We are not optimistic, however–not after last winter’s toll on most cold-sensitive regions around the U.S. January, February, and March fully look like a 100% chance of snow (and slush), hail, and nose-chomping winds. Cue Simon & Garfunkel’s “Hello Darkness, My Old Friend.”
To brace yourself for what is coming, we have synthesized a list of our most valued tips for surviving a city winter with style and grace:
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1. REMEMBER YOUR TOP 3 COLD SPOTS
Your HEAD, NECK, and HANDS scientifically retain the most heat for your body, so keeping them fuzzy and cozy is the first and most crucial lesson in fashionable warmth.
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SHROUD YOUR HEAD (and especially your ears) in a winter beanie or head wrap. If your jacket or coat shows too much bare neck, layer on the scarves.
Our current favorite picks of the litter:
Photo courtesy of UGG Australia
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WOODEN SHIPS Knotted Knit Headband, $30.00 $23.00
Photo courtesy of Lord and Taylor
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KEEP YOUR MITTS IN MITTENS! Fiddle with your iPhone on sub-zero sidewalks in these foldover fingerless gloves:
Neiman Marcus Cashmere Convertible Mittens in Croissant, $85.00 $30.00
Photo courtesy of Neiman Marcus Last Call
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Lauren by Ralph Lauren Wool-Blend Fingerless Gloves, $48.00 $29.99
Photo courtesy of Ralph Lauren
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2. BUY SCARVES, NOT MORE COATS.
Sick of the ennui of putting on that same down jacket simply for warmth’s sake EVERY. SINGLE. DAMN. FRIGGIN’ DAY? Your solution? Instead of multiple trips to the Burlington Coat Factory, enliven your signature winter coat with a variety of scarves in your favorite prints and patterns. Save hundreds in wads of cash and exercise your sartorial creativity in the process:
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Leopard Print
J. Crew Leopard Scarf, $59.50 $49.99
Photo courtesy of J. Crew
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Floral
La Fiorentina, $48.00
Photo courtesy of Nordstrom
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Thick
Burberry Cashmere Giant Check Scarf, $565.00
Photo courtesy of STYLEBOP
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Anthropologie Walmer Blanket Scarf, $78.00
Photo courtesy of Anthropologie
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Intermix Fringe Snood, $119.00 (FINAL SALE)
Photo courtesy of Intermix
~3. TIGHTEN IT UP
You don’t have to part with your uber-chic and uber-flimsy leggings and skinny jeans. Yes, most skinnies, no matter the material, are not quite gust-proof. Our easy solution to you not having to stow them away until St. Patrick’s Day? Slip on lightweight pantyhose underneath for insulation.
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Photo courtesy of Media Bakery
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4. SELF-POLICE YOUR HOLIDAY WEIGHT -PART ONE
Winter = Holidays Galore and Holidays = FOOD. Yep, dollops of it. Yum, right? …But if you’re not careful, the consequences could be dire when the time comes to confronting your spring wardrobe. So that you do not balk at your scale and go through the Five Stages of Grief for your pre-holiday feast body (Denial is scrutinizing the mechanisms of the scale and Bargaining is rationalizing to yourself that it must be on the fritz), there are two breezy life hacks. The first is to wear your TIGHTEST skinny jeans to every holiday meal.
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Photo courtesy of Makeup and Beauty
Eat to your heart’s content but beware the increasing tightness of your jeans’ waistline. Use that discomfort as a gauge.
5. SELF-POLICE YOUR HOLIDAY WEIGHT -PART TWO
Kate Moss cooked up quite the politically incorrect controversy with her statement that “nothing tastes as good as skinny feels.” Whether she is right or not, Kate did inspire a tip for keeping your portions controlled this holiday season–Set your favorite full-body shot of yourself from this past summer, decked out in your shortest Daisy Dukes and teeniest top, as your phone’s wallpaper. This way, you couldn’t eat in blissful ignorance even if you wanted, no matter how salivating the offering.
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Photo courtesy of Pinterest
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Oh yeah, don’t forget to wear your socks.
