Proper Attire for the Winter Weather

01.03.10

You would think that since we live in Boston, the heart of New England and the home of the
Nor'easter, that people would know how to dress appropriately for the weather. Sadly, they
do not.

Let's review, shall we?

1. Invest in appropriate footwear.
If it is raining or snowing (or slushing or sleeting) you can not wear your "regular" shoes.
Not only will your feet be wet, but you will ruin whatever pair of shoes that you dragged
through the precipitation. Invest in a pair of rain and/or snow boots! There are some stylish
boots out there, I promise! In fact, I blogged about it just a few weeks ago...click here to see!

2. Resist the urge to wear leather and suede when it's yucky out.
This rule is kind of an extension of #1, but I wanted to make sure that everyone understands
that items other than footwear can become damaged in bad weather as well. Refrain from
wearing leather and suede jackets and coats as well as from carrying leather and suede
handbags. They will stain!

3. If precipitation is falling from the sky, wear a coat or jacket that is water proof!
(Or at least water resistant...)
Hooded sweatshirts, fleece jackets and wool coats will not keep you dry. They will actually
absorb the water and - in the case of the wool coat - can actually shrink or take on an
unpleasant odor.

4. Umbrellas are cheap and easy to come by. Buy one!
While they are not without their imperfections, umbrellas are pretty handy. They help keep
you relatively dry and can help save a leather hand-bag or wool coat if you happen to get
stuck in bad weather in the wrong type of clothing. As an added bonus, they can be find in
many eye-catching and fashionable prints and colors. Maybe I am stating the obvious here, but
I see so many people out there braving the elements without them!

5. Equip yourself with the neccessary accessories.
Hats, scarves and gloves not only save your delicate extremities from the winter chill, but
they can also add a pop of color or texture to an otherwise drab winter ensemble.

So, I understand that I sound a bit like your mother in this blog, but it had to be said! As
a stylist I strive to have all of my clients maintain a fashionable and functional wardrobe.
I want them to look great, feel great and be prepared for whatever it is that they need to do
or wherever it is that they need to go. In Boston, this often times means prepping them for
the weather and all that it entails.

If you feel like you may be one of the offending Bostonians who I see during my commute braving
the elements in all the wrong gear, then book an appointment with a Stilista stylist today!
We will have you outfitted in the most fashionable and functional gear in no time!

Looking forward to hearing from you!

                                                                                                               --Marisa