The trees have turned a new leaf, and so should you! As they went from a vibrant green to stunning shades of red and yellow, their warm tones contrasted the cold weather surrounding them. How are you going to adapt? Especially with the rain-heavy environment of Washington, it’s important to stay dry and warm! But don’t forget that first impressions are forever, don’t let the cold coop up your style.
Starting from the bottom: my mom often tells me to “always keep your feet warm,” due to the old superstition that cold feet lead to the whole body getting sick. The most recent shoe trend is the infamous UGGs with their fuzzy interior and easy slip-on mechanism. Their biggest criticisms are that they aren’t budget-friendly, allow water to penetrate (the brand advises avoiding wet surfaces when wearing their shoes), and are hard to run in. Surprisingly enough, the popular shoes “became popular among competitive surfers in Australia” and “were originally worn by sheep shearers in the early 1920s,” according to the website Love Your Leather, rather than the popular assumption that they were meant for snow and rain. There are many dupes: one of which is “Bear Claws” made by the same manufacturers as UGGs.
The bulky fit of sweatpants tends to drive away those looking to walk warm. Thermal wear is an overlooked option yet it has many positives compared to other pants styles. They are slightly thick leggings with either fleece linings or fabric technology that keeps the heat in. They can be a variety of colors or even skin tones so that they can be worn under skirts. With these pants, you can utilize more of your closet, no longer requiring you to abandon your skirts, dresses, or pants for months.
Most tops are easy to layer with: coats, vests, cardigans, and rain jackets. The biggest issue is often color coordination with the rest of the outfit. With recent trends in color analysis, we can borrow some of those techniques. Reds, oranges, and yellows can replicate the trees and be visually contrasting to the cool-colored scenery. White and black are naturally good in all weathers, creating a clean look for any wearer. Blues are the most basic choice for winter, but they still hold all the charm of color with multiple shades that are pleasing to the eye (Go Bothell blue!). Other colors such as green, purple, and pink fall more under warmers or spring tones that seem off-putting to the context of the season. To be more general: bolder colors win over pastels in the winter as you will stand out more when all surrounding weather is cloudy. However, it is up to each person’s discretion as to how much they would like to or not like to blend into the background.
Accessories are the heart and soul of an outfit. Naturally, earmuffs, beanies, gloves (including fingerless), and scarves are the most reasonable to keep you warm. Necklaces, earrings, and rings have a beautiful shine from the reflection of snow, so they’re not to be neglected.
It’s important to dress appropriately for cooler temperatures because you are more susceptible to colds and sickness that will force you to stay home, and then you can’t show off your cute fits! As your D-vitamin intake decreases with the lack of sun, dressing in a way that makes you feel confident is imperative to keep your mindset positive. Staying sharp and comfy won’t be hard this season with these tips. You’ll be melting the snow with how hot you’re gonna be!
