Are you saying that you’d have enjoyed this more with a woman? Even if she only wanted you for your parka? 
Funny you should mention that.
A couple of weeks ago in the ski lodge a woman said to me: “I’ve been watching you ski. You look really warm. Can I have your parka?”
So I thinks to meself, “Whoo-hoo! A Ski Babe interested in moi!”
Then I noticed that she was wearing a wedding ring, and that she was accompanied by a man of similar age. So then I thinks, “Holy shit-le-merde, if she gloms onto me like that fellow at the restaruant did, I’m as good as dead!”
Being somewhat astute when it comes to self preservation, I slowly backed away a couple of steps, and said to her in a calm and quiet voice: “You scare me.” To which she and her hubby cracked up laughing.
I tell ya, it isn’t easy staying warm up here in Kanukistan.
What I really don’t get about this parka attracting folks is that it is a very basic parka, over 20 years old, with the fur of the cowl edge chewed short by cats, and the front panel edge so worn that I had to sew it over with trim. Aside from looking warm when being worn, it is as aesthetically pleasing as a pile of cinder blocks.
I was shopping for a new mid-season jacket in the UK. And while I was standing there contemplating the racks, and thinking ‘Those really don’t look warm enough for Moscow’, a woman walked up to me and started fingering the sleeve of my very cheap, rather grubby, worn thin and shiny Chinese made black puffa jacket.
When I started in surprise, she peered and my face and said ‘Oh. I thought you were a mannequin. I was just wondering where I could find a jacket just like this one.’
And this morning: underwear, woolly tights, socks, jeans, undershirt, turtleneck, wrap thrown over the turtleneck but under the jacket, down jacket, scarf, cute hat, and non-matching gloves.
My long sheepskin coat needs buttons sewing on. I’d better do that tonight cause I got damn cold waiting for a lift this morning.
I often wear an extra long-sleeved top under my light jacket for the early AM commute–via bus & train. Plus gloves & muffler.
All of which return home in my purse, since they’re usually too warm by the PM. High today: Only 57! (brrrr) For the next 10 days, highs will range from high 50’s to low 70’s.
The morning news featured people up North digging themselves out of 100 inch Lake Effect Snows. Yow! Sincere sympathy.
Sorry, it hasn’t been cold enough in Baltimore or DC (where I work) to worry about layers. Socks, shoes, undershorts, pants, shirt, and denim jacket has been enough for me so far.
Ditto, minus the socks most days, and add appropriate female undergarments. Also, not a denim jacket but either a light fleece or leather.
Well, here’s how I layered myself this morning:
T-shirts: Cotton, cotton, silk, cotton.
Shirt: Cotton
Sweater: Acrylic
Underwear:Cotton (long), silk.
Socks:Cotton, silk, cotton. Leather boots.
Outerwear: Wool hat, gloves, acrylic scarf, cotton hoodie, wool/cotton/acrylic waterproof parka with hood.
After the first couple days, I have to wake up 20 minutes earlier to get everything together.
I never got into the layering thing. It’s too many clothes to then be wearing inside. Chinos, short-sleeved shirt, clogs with no socks, this squall parka. Single digits, some wind chill. Chilly but not uncomfortable–I like the refreshment.
I do keep boots, socks, hood and gloves in my trunk in case of emergency tromping through snow.
That’s hot.
Cheer up. This is how I dress in the *summer *in San Francisco.
Didn’t Mark Twain have a line about the coldest winter he ever spent…?
On colder days like it’s been this week I wear:
Usual female undergarments
Warm socks, boots
Tee shirt/sweater on top or just a long sleeve shirt
Hoodie
Down jacket (bought from MEC, a good investment)
Long johns
Jeans
Gloves and mittens (though since Mom gave me a pair of knitted mittens that are lined I don’t do that as much)
Scarf
No hat, but I have a hood on each jacket and the two of them keep the heat in really well. I do have toques though, some bought, some I’ve made.
On warmer days off come the long johns and the outer jacket is either a three-in-one or my vest, depending on the wind (and if it’s really windy the long johns stay, taking the bus sucks).
At Wednesday’s student protest in GD-cold-buggering weather, I had:
Underwear, pyjama pants, jeans
Socks, woolen socks, shoes
T-shirt, sweatshirt, sweater
Coat, tuque, scarf, gloves
Sexy NDP travelling mug of hot coffee
And I was still cold.
I must be part polar bear - my winter outfit in bitterly cold weather is regular gym socks, long johns, jeans, Sorel boots, t-shirt-type turtleneck, sweater, parka, scarf, gloves, and knit headband. I might go crazy some days and wear a toque, but almost never. I go for long walks in -30C in this outfit, and I’m so warm I take the gloves off after awhile.
Maybe it’s the boots and parka - never skimp on your boots and parka. Those of you with fifteen pairs of socks on might want to look into Sorels. They’re Canadian-approved. 
:: sobs ::
The city where my father lives, Owen Sound, has been cut off by a metre of snow… and my aunt and cousins, who live further up the Bruce Peninsula, have been snowed in for a week. And there will be more next week, I’m sure: they’re forecasting bitter cold again. Lake Effect snow, yay!
Meanwhile, in Toroto, it’s brilliant sunshine and maybe five sentimetres tops. Just enough to look white.
But I still have on multi layers. And if it gets cold next week, even more multi layers: toque, mitts, parka and hood; sweater, sweatshirt, T-shirt; underwear, long johns, pants; office socks, big knitted socks, Sorels.
I’ve been wearing a very warm hoodie over a very warm short jacket. The past two weeks I’ve had three warm coats given to me.
I must look pathetic.
I talked to my dad this morning. He said you’re having a heat wave - it was 9F in his driveway, where he keeps the thermometer.
You must be! I don’t go out in -30 or lower unless I have no choice (ie work or hibernation supplies).
I’m usually pretty warm myself, it’s just the wind that gets to me. So I’m one of the ones who during chinooks, despite the temperature being warm, am still bundled up to the ears. Once you’re moving you can keep fairly warm but that wind just cuts right through at times.
Which is where my uncle lives.
Please don’t tell me that you are an environmentalist, as I am, for I am still concerned that we might be each other’s doppelgänger
Oh, yikes, I am all about the layers now. I’m in NC, so not nearly as cold as y’all up North, but I work outside the better part of the day, so, to keep warm:
long underwear
turtleneck or gaiter
long sleeve t-shirt
sweatshirt
polyfleece overshirt
down vest
hat and ear warmer band
lined jacket
vinyl gloves
gloves w/ cutoff fingertips so i can work
When I stop at the country Mini Mart on the way home, I realize most gals don’t
dress this way; I look like a freaky (but Warm) homeless person.