Hello all,

The new year brings a lot of hope, joy, and inspiration, but it also means the start of the longest stretch of dreary, cold weather in the year. I don’t know about you all, but once February hits I can’t wait to see sunshine and not have to put on three layers just to feel comfortable walking outside.

As someone who lived in New England her entire life and attended college in upstate New York, I’ve gotten pretty good at dealing with extreme cold weather for long periods of time. Whether I was just running from building to building between classes or spending a full day on the ski slopes, I’m sharing my tips and tricks on how to master the art of dressing to NOT freeze your butt off.

Best Basics for Layering:

These are some of my go-to brands for thin layers that are incredibly effective at retaining your body heat without forcing you to bulk up. I layer my heattech Uniqlo turtlenecks under dresses and larger sweaters when I need that extra bit of warmth. Wearing thick tights under jeans is my hack for keeping my legs warm during a day of outdoor exploration and snowball fights.

• Uniqlo Heattech turtleck (other options include t-shirts, bodysuits, and camisoles)
• Uniqlo Heattech leggings (find the full collection of women’s Heattech products here)
• Under Armour ColdGear leggings (either for outdoor runs or casual lounging)
• Spanx tights (great for layering under pants)
• Turtlefur Neck Warmer (if you don’t want something as bulky or loose as a scarf, this is what my entire family uses to protect our necks while out skiing – it keeps you SO warm.)
• Smartwool socks (yet another skiing hack that’s transferred over into everyday use when the temperatures drop – I use these socks while skiing and when going on a winter hike. You can also search Smartwool’s system by sock thickness to suit your preference!)
• Hot Chili’s base layers (ANOTHER skiing hack! I’ve been using their thermal tops and leggings since I was a kid and they always keep me nice and insulated.)

Cozyiest Pieces:

For anyone who wants to resist looking like the Pillsbury dough boy every time they get dressed over the next two months, I’ve linked my personal favorite warm-but-not-bulky options for winter dressing. Cozy sweaters, cute sweater dresses, and chunky knit scarves are the best ways to rock winter style, in my opinion. You stay nice and toasty while still looking trendy!

Sweaters:

• Free People Softly Structured Tunic Sweater
• Zara Beaded Sweater
• 1901 Fair Isle Turtleneck Sweater

Sweater Dresses:

• BP Mock Neck Sweater Dress
• Eliza J Turtleneck Sweater Dress
• Anthropologie Rhyme Sweater Dress

Knit Scarves:

• H&M Woven Scarf
• Anthropologie Cozy Blanket Scarf
• Treasure & Bond Solid Brushed Wrap Scarf

Stylish Cold-Weather Shoes:

Shoes can be tricky this time of year, so I always look for footwear that is waterproof, contains some type of lining or warm interior, and has traction.  My go-to pair of Sorels have lasted me for the past 5 years (including college in upstate NY) and are still going strong! It’s worth noting that even if your shoes are waterproof, they can still be destroyed by salted sidewalks and roads, so be careful to clean them off if you encounter salt (although I will say my Sorels have lasted the longest in that regard as well). I’ve included a mix of heavy-duty winter boots with some more stylish options if you’re in a cold-weather city like me!

My Top Boot Picks:

• Sorel Tofino II (a variation on my own trusty snow boots)
• Sorel Winter Carnival (the pair my mom owns and loves)
• Naturalizer Varuna 2 (for a little heel height with traction)
• Sam Edelman Bowen Hiking Bootie (my Christmas present this year! I love the ankle height with faux fur trim)

Additional Heating Hack: Hand, Foot, and Toe warmers for when it’s really freezing and you have to be outside. Yet another trick I learned from skiing!  My personal favorite brand is Grabber Warmers, as they can easily fit into any boot or glove!

I hope you all enjoyed reading my tips and tricks for beating cold weather! Let me know if you have any favorite winter style hacks I should incorporate into my routine.  Stay cozy, friends!

XOXO

Parisa