"Lover's Knot" Stitch
Still, with my fireplace now at the official pinnacle of its glory, and my choice gloves and scarves in accessible cache next to my front door, I'm quite enjoying myself. Maybe it's because I get to wear my fall/winter favorites in fair rotation without a second thought (ALL day versus mornings and nights) I've finally gleaned a sensible clothing routine that keeps me satisfied, reminiscent of festive holidays spent huddling in the quaint cafes of Greenwich or at the northern mouth of the whirling steps of the Arc du Triomphe - travel layers that are now my startling reality.
Winter in The Village
So what makes up the cold snap equation? The sum of the parts most certainly includes wool or similar materials meant for freezing temps - put those fine knits away if you haven't yet and reach for cable knits and densely blended sweaters, just the looks of which would make you sweat on a warm summer day. East coast staples usually foreign to Californians - long socks, puffer vests, scarves, mittens, and beanies - are easy, affordable pieces that can transition your wardrobe into more cold-friendly territory if like most locals, you haven't invested in heavy-duty outerwear. Body-hugging items like skinny jeans, long wooly socks, knit turtlenecks and long sleeved-tees should form a base (repeat daily if you must, but wash often!) which to layer these winter wonders atop of. And if you're always freezing like me, current trends in oversized menswear-style coats and jackets allow for us to graciously sneak additional layers under our winter finery.
The Quintessential Winter Travel Uniform
If you are in the market for one easy piece of outerwear to throw on in order to tackle all your Arctic woes, shop quickly before inventory runs bleak in stores and you're left digging thru sizes too large or small. Fall/Winter apparel took a beating during Black Friday sales and supplies continue to dwindle. I'm not one to push for seasonal sales/mania but with the daily haggle of what to wear mentioned in conversation with everyone from my mother to my mailman these days, I'm thinking it may be time for some folks to throw in the towel and actually purchase a (gasp!) coat for Cali.
Here's a little something to help: three more days until H&M's deal on all outerwear in-store only (a full 50% off!) expires. This deal is NOT being advertised in stores so you will need to mention it in person to benefit. (No, I don't get commission from H&M, just wanted to share a little something with all of you, lovely readers, from the holiday-induced-yet-still-genuine-depths of my freezing heart). If you are able to resist fast-fashion and have issues shopping at chains like H&M, good luck elsewhere and I also mean this very sincerely...more power to you. Cheers!
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P.S. Upon a quick search for more options, I hilariously found that Forever21, H&M's arch nemisis-ish fast-fashion foe, is also offering the exact same deal (surprise!). Their pitch, however, is only offered online and doesn't seem to be populating the actual outerwear on the site (check the tiny gray print at the bottom of the image below). Please join me in laughing sinisterly at the retail industry and the deals they attempt but can't seem to deliver on even if we are all helplessly reliant on them to dress ourselves. Tis the season!
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