# Dressing with Style During a Cold Snap **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 22, 2003, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dressing-with-style-during-a-cold-snap/150217 "2003-01-22T15:01:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![tisiphone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@tisiphone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tisiphone)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2003, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dressing-with-style-during-a-cold-snap/150217/21 "2003-01-23T00:28:46Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by queen\_bee \* > \*\*:eek: > I can’t believe it was colder here than in the Yukon! Looked at the old thermostat today and read with horror the lovely number -33. So cold it burns. So cold you wonder why you get up to go to work in the mornings. > \*\* That would be why I haven’t bothered whining about the winter weather much. We’ve been busy laughing at everybody else this year. BTW, with the windchill, it’s ummmm -46°C here at the moment. Does that make you feel better? **Ferret Herder** , if it was only a single pair of cotton sport socks, of course you did. Not thick and heavy enough, by a long shot. Now, I could be wrong, living here doesn’t make me The World’s Authority on surviving in the cold (but I am an Excellently Informed Layperson), but I never got the same message about cotton. In fact, we were told to always wear either cotton or wool next to the skin, as natural fibers insulated better, and breathed better. Wool was better, but those of us that are very very sensitive to wool just can’t put it on bare skin. ---
**Author:** ![Hanna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b3f665/32.png) [@Hanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hanna)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2003, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dressing-with-style-during-a-cold-snap/150217/22 "2003-01-23T00:58:49Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Eve \* > \*\*• fluff-lined boots, with a sensible 1-inch heel. \*\* See, that’s your problem. Fluff-lined? Isn’t that the stuff they put inside candy bars? I can’t see how candy filling could possibly keep your feet warm. Me, I forget about style. This is what I wear to walk the dogs when it’s cold: [ul] [li]Long underwear, silk[/li][li]jeans[/li][li]wool socks[/li][li]teeshirt, with a sweater or sweatshirt over it[/li][li]Sorel boots - rated to -50°[/li][li]ski bibs[/li][li]down parka, with a long winter coat over it (2 jackets)[/li][li]scarf[/li][li]hat (fur-lined, really ugly, but it’s warm)[/li][li]big warm mittens - not gloves, gloves get too cold[/li][/ul] ---
**Author:** ![Regina](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d78d45/32.png) [@Regina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Regina)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2003, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dressing-with-style-during-a-cold-snap/150217/23 "2003-01-23T01:33:34Z")
What do the dogs wear? Sorry, I had to ask. I have nothing to add as I am in the Deep South although it is plenty cold enough for me. I admire all you hale and hearty Northerners. ---
**Author:** ![medstar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f07891/32.png) [@medstar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/medstar)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2003, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dressing-with-style-during-a-cold-snap/150217/24 "2003-01-23T02:04:51Z")
I always thought that in periods of extreme weather variables, that fashion standards were put on hiatus and you did what you had to do to withstand the elements and fashion be damned. That’s how it works for me. ---
**Author:** ![queen\_bee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e9c0ed/32.png) [@queen\_bee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/queen_bee)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2003, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dressing-with-style-during-a-cold-snap/150217/25 "2003-01-23T02:14:56Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Regina \* > \*\*What do the dogs wear? > > Sorry, I had to ask. \*\* They can often be seen sporting little doggie sweaters and booties (even the big dogs). poor bastards. and they can’t even post to a message board to ask for advice! :rolleyes: bee ---
**Author:** ![vix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/a88e4f/32.png) [@vix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vix)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2003, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dressing-with-style-during-a-cold-snap/150217/26 "2003-01-23T02:18:20Z")
Today I wore: A wool twin set – that’s two sweaters, a long-sleeved cardigan over a sleeveless shell A long (mid-calf), lined wool-blend skirt Leather boots that come to mid-calf A lined camel hair coat (also comes to about mid-calf) A chenille scarf Gloves with Thinsulate[sup]TM[/sup] This was acceptably warm, but certainly not toasty enough for spending any length of time outdoors. Had I tried, I could’ve been warmer, but I wouldn’t have looked as fetching. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Hanna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b3f665/32.png) [@Hanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hanna)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2003, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dressing-with-style-during-a-cold-snap/150217/27 "2003-01-23T02:35:53Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Regina \* > \*\*What do the dogs wear? > > \*\* Fur coats. 😃 All three of our big mutts are heavy coated dogs, the cold doesn’t bother them much. For my really old dog, we only go out for about ten minutes. They have a fenced yard too. ---
**Author:** ![miamouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ad7895/32.png) [@miamouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/miamouse)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2003, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dressing-with-style-during-a-cold-snap/150217/28 "2003-01-23T03:03:23Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Ukulele Ike \* > \*\*Well, that’s all very well for **you** , way the hell up there in Big Foot Country, but this is New York City. Sissy Central. If I cover my ears, it might muss my coif. \*\* Not only that, if we cover our ears, we might not be able to hear those subway announcements clearly. 😉 I gave up, I only had two pairs of pants suitable for work. I don’t care what bigwigs are in town this week, if they want to see me in a skirt all business-like, they better be wearin’ one too. So I’m in jeans and Mr. Mouse’s sweaters for the rest of the week. ---
**Author:** ![SwimmingRiddles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/43a26b/32.png) [@SwimmingRiddles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SwimmingRiddles)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2003, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dressing-with-style-during-a-cold-snap/150217/29 "2003-01-23T03:16:26Z")
I’m a big fan of duster sweaters. I don’t give a rats ass if they were cool two years ago, it’s like wearing a fluffy blanket. I have one with faux monkey fur on the collar and sleeves, which is surprizingly warm. As is my faux calf skin car coat. Quite warm. For a while I had a hat, scarf and mittens that all matched, had delicate little flowers embroydered on them, and BIG POM POMS. It was known as my “balls” ensemble. Until I lost one of the mittens. Now the whole thing is less interesting. Feh. I also found a fantastic pair of Sporto boots at Marshall’s for $25. They’re patent leather black (faux…sense a trend?), waterproof and lined with furry stuff. I went sledding the other day in them, and my tootsies stayed nice and warm. Here’s my theory: all pleather. It’s plastic, so it doesn’t breathe. Which is what I want when I’m cold. And oh-so-fashionable. And thin layers of polar fleece and nylon underneath that. If it’s a natural fiber, I don’t want it anywhere near me in the winter. ---
**Author:** ![Kamikazee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Kamikazee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamikazee)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2003, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dressing-with-style-during-a-cold-snap/150217/30 "2003-01-23T03:51:05Z")
I keep all my style at the office. The longer the winter the more of my clothes live at the office. All my dress shoes are here, jacket, spare shirt, etc. On really cold days I’ve been known to wear my insulated coveralls and snow boots and change at the office. Hasn’t gotten really cold here yet was about 6 degrees F this morning. Live right by lake MI so temps are more moderate than interior of the state. One poor bastard reported -29 F this AM.:eek: ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2003, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dressing-with-style-during-a-cold-snap/150217/31 "2003-01-23T04:24:52Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Ukulele Ike \* > Well, that’s all very well for **you** , way the hell up there in Big Foot Country, but this is New York City. Sissy Central. If I cover my ears, it might muss my coif. You need to get out more, **Ukulele Ike**. Take a trip across the river, sometime. The _Mississippi_ River. 🙂 Minnesota has Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox. Bigfoot is further west. About 1,000 miles and then some. Crap! We could use some definite _cold_ weather here! With such a lousy snowpack, you can bet the farm this part of the country is gonna _burn, burn, burn_ this summer, not to mention no money to fight the fires once they get started. I’m already buying up the dogs for a hellofa weenie roast this summer. 😃 Back to the OP. You either look good already or you don’t. ---
**Author:** ![elelle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f0a364/32.png) [@elelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elelle)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2003, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dressing-with-style-during-a-cold-snap/150217/32 "2003-01-23T04:43:30Z")
Well, Ike, I dunno how stylish it is up there in NYC, but my little southern butt swears by red union suits. I wear 'em with skirts and heels, too. Just on the cutting edge of Hickfest fashion, here. ---
**Author:** ![tisiphone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@tisiphone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tisiphone)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2003, 6:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dressing-with-style-during-a-cold-snap/150217/33 "2003-01-23T06:35:14Z")
Hey **elelle** , check [this](http://www.yukonrendezvous.com/kickers.html) out. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Lure](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ba8739/32.png) [@Lure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lure)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2003, 8:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dressing-with-style-during-a-cold-snap/150217/34 "2003-01-23T08:25:35Z")
While all you people are feeling stylish in your winter garb,what do you do about the ineveitable snot trickles that leak from your beezers when you go inside,having been permanently frozen to your nostrils like some evil frost booger when you’re out performing in the sidewalk fashion parade? Natural or manmde fiber for your nosepluggers? Thinking back to a long ago day when meeting a mucus frostied date,when I was already in the warmth and had straightened out my street harried countenance. Jack frost nipping at your nose indeed.He’d taken a good sized chunk out of her sinus cavities. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Flutterby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Flutterby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flutterby)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2003, 9:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dressing-with-style-during-a-cold-snap/150217/35 "2003-01-23T09:14:57Z")
When it gets as cold as it’s been I avoid leaving the house if possible (-42C yesterday without windchill in some areas of the city). Considering I’m sick and feverish I just try and keep warm in my own house. When I _do_ have to go out I bundle up in layers as much as I can. Double layer socks (I only have cheap ones), winter boots, long johns (when I have some, I haven’t needed any in awhile and I don’t have the cash to get any right now), jeans, t-shirt, long sleeve shirt (generally my Guide sweater), hoody, winter jacket, gloves, mitts, scarf, and hat under my hood. I don’t really care much for looking good when I’m freezing my ass off. I’d rather stay warm. Which is exactly why I never went _actual_ winter camping with the Guides (ie tents) but instead only went to ‘mock’ camps (ie staying in a hall). This is also why I avoid going out in winter as much as I possibly can. If I could, I’d hibernate. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2003, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dressing-with-style-during-a-cold-snap/150217/36 "2003-01-23T13:29:02Z")
Since my office is only two blocks from my house, I can get away with a coat, hooded scarf, and two pairs of gloves. I usually walk every morning before work, but when it’s below 20 degrees, all bets are off. Yesterday, I had to go to the dentist. I had a bad childhood experience with a dentist, and I still detest going. But I do see Dr. G every six months. And last time, I had to have work done. And his office is two miles from my house. I worn black leggings, pink socks, oversized Snoopy Xmas boxers over the leggings, and oversized fleece sweatsuit, butternet colored fleece boots, and the above outer wear. I looked like dork personified. But I don’t need any dental work done. ---
**Author:** ![plnnr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@plnnr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/plnnr)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2003, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dressing-with-style-during-a-cold-snap/150217/37 "2003-01-23T13:59:52Z")
"I can’t believe it was colder here than in the Yukon! Looked at the old thermostat today and read with horror the lovely number -33. So cold it burns. So cold you wonder why you get up to go to work in the mornings. * * * That would be why I haven’t bothered whining about the winter weather much. We’ve been busy laughing at everybody else this year. BTW, with the windchill, it’s ummmm -46°C here at the moment. " How (or why) anyone in their right mind would choose to live somewhere where it got that cold is beyond me. Sorry that I can’t help you out, Ike. I wear the same thing to work everyday of the year, regardless of the weather (and I look smashing every day of the year). ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2003, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dressing-with-style-during-a-cold-snap/150217/38 "2003-01-23T15:50:09Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by SwimmingRiddles \* > **I’m a big fan of duster sweaters.** Is that what they call those sweaters that make everybody look like they wore their bathrobe to work? I’m sure it looks very nice. :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Odieman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a87d85/32.png) [@Odieman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odieman)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2003, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dressing-with-style-during-a-cold-snap/150217/39 "2003-01-23T20:02:35Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Boscibo \* > \*\*Fur coats. 😃 > > All three of our big mutts are heavy coated dogs, the cold doesn’t bother them much. For my really old dog, we only go out for about ten minutes. They have a fenced yard too. \*\* And the geese that are hanging around here in our minus forty windchill are wearing down filled coats… 😃 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dressing-with-style-during-a-cold-snap/150217.md?page=1)