With chips in hand and “Sex and the City” playing, you’re comfy under the covers when the group chat pings with the dreaded question: “Are we still going out?” As temperatures dip below freezing and dropped even further last weekend during the longest deep freeze New York City has seen in 65 years, stepping outside requires courage. Suddenly, a thin leather jacket and a skimpy going-out top no longer suffice against the elements of the city. Here are four wardrobe essentials that make braving the cold possible — from the moment you step outside your dorm until you climb back into your bed.
Thermal undergarments
In a city that rarely dresses for the weather, it’s difficult to just throw on a sweater and call it a day. This is why layering is your best friend this winter. Brands such as Under Armour and Uniqlo offer ColdGear and HEATTECH undergarments that provide warmth without making you look like a snowman. Thin enough to layer under dress pants or going-out jeans, they keep you warm while looking chic at the bar. If you fancy a flirty skirt, sheer illusion tights offer the same warmth without sacrificing your look. The tights are thick with a skin-tone layer underneath a sheer black layer and lined with fleece, providing flexibility in your outfit while still allowing for insulation.
An oversized scarf
During the summer, a scarf might serve as a cute statement piece to spice up an outfit. In the winter, on the other hand, it becomes essential on a night out. Scarves are more than just a ‘finishing touch’ in the winter. Thick, oversized scarves, like this ASOS super soft tassel scarf, are thick enough to shield your face as the wind whips, but also serve a chic look if you throw it over your shoulder once inside a breezy bar. In desperate moments, you can even wrap the scarf around your hands to act as makeshift gloves, keeping your fingers warm as you clutch on to a chilled cosmo. The versatility of a scarf, while often overlooked, could be your salvation of warmth on a night out.
A spacious bag
You may have taken hours choosing the perfect college bag — something chic but big enough to fit your laptop, notebooks and other essentials for long days on campus. A functional bag like Anne Klein’s medium satchel or slouchy hobo bag from Montana West on winter nights out is just as important. As you shed your many layers at the entrance of the club, you may find yourself holding one too many items to handle. A bag that actually fits all the essentials, from your gloves to a portable charger, will make your life much easier. Instead of each item hanging haphazardly off the back of a busy bar chair, they are safely tucked away, ready for your trip home. You’ll be especially grateful when the bouncer informs you that the coat check charges by item.
Boots
After seeing far too many people slip on black ice, it’s clear that safe footwear is non-negotiable during the winter. Boots that are warm, nonslip and fashionable enough to transition indoors to the bar, such as the Joplin Tall Boot or Ornella knee high boots, hit the perfect balance. Covering your shins, they could either act as extra layers against the cold under your jeans or protect against the sharp winter winds over tights. Taller boots can also hide your fluffy, long socks without ruining the look of your outfit, and proper soles will protect your feet from unidentified slush on uneven pavement. The right pair may even let you stay out longer, or, at the very least, keep you safe against the elements before getting home.
Contact Jennifer Lau at [email protected].