Ahhh… winter in the City. I’ve come to accept that I will never dress just right for the weather… some days it’s deceptively warm and other days it’s a frozen tundra. I will inevitably sweat through my clothes on the 6 train and, minutes later, I’m fighting for my life against the arctic wind tunnel that is Madison Avenue.
I figured I’d let y’all in on what my little brain has learned battling winter weather that just can’t seem to make its mind up.
The secret to mastering winter style isn’t about expensive pieces – it’s about understanding layering and choosing versatile items that adapt to temperature swings. Whether you’re battling Chicago winds or trudging through Boston snow, the same principles apply. Let me break down today’s outfit to show you exactly what I mean.
First, the foundation: no winter ‘fit is complete without a jacket. A good wool or suede coat in a neutral color works with everything – looking effortlessly cool over both a suit or jeans and a sweater. This camel beauty from Banana Republic was one of my favorite purchases from a few years ago – I loved it so much that I snagged it in navy and olive green too! (Here’s a similar one from Amazon!)
But here’s the thing – while a jacket may be essential, it doesn’t always have to steal the show. Sometimes the pants deserve their own ‘main character moment’ too! These camouflage-inspired cargo trousers from RTA do exactly that! Since they make such a bold statement, I kept the rest of my outfit understated with complementary colors and tonal neutrals.
Now, let’s talk about these Stetson boots. Incredible, right? They’re rugged enough to battle the weather while also serving up some serious style. After ruining too many dress shoes and sneakers trudging through New York’s post-snowfall slush, I’ve learned my lesson: always keep a sturdy boot (or three) ready when your feet need a winter warrior. (Here’s a similar pair of harness boots from Amazon!)
Here’s my final tip… embrace the mess that comes with dressing for winter in any city. Cars will splash your clean pants. Your favorite beanie will absolutely mess up your hair. Street salt will ruin your shoes. So avoid the stress, accept the mess. Stock up on winter clothes that can handle all this stuff while still looking good.
You don’t have to break the bank to do it, either! Invest in one good jacket and one good boot each year, then build around those pieces with items you already have in your closet or snag a couple pieces from affordable places like Abercrombie, Uniqlo, or ASOS.
Whatever you do… stay warm out there, y’all. February is around the corner and she’s one hell of an icy mistress. And if you see someone running through slush in dress shoes, send them this blog post. We’ve all been there, but we don’t all have to stay there. – xx Justin
