It's COLD -- from Eclectic Classic Ladylike to Hobo Chic - YouLookFab Forum

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It's COLD -- from Eclectic Classic Ladylike to Hobo Chic

Day Vies

Veteran

I'll start with my question:

What are your I-have-to-go-to-work-sub-zero outfit strategies?

I find it very difficult to get dressed with any sort of excitement when the weather is so uncomfortably cold. The outerwear is no problem (pictured first). I can look fairly dressed up even if I have burlap on underneath. However I do not have the choice of wearing burlap or my pajamas to work, I have to wear outfits (nice ones too).

My biggest stumbling block is dressing for warmth without looking like a snowman or a hobo. In the olden days my go-to would have been an over-sized sweater coat (it still is but I leave it at work for use as a blanket). I have my assortment of thermals, wool socks, cotton layering pieces and wool sweaters but when the temperatures hover around 0 degrees "Hobo Chic" is the default if I want to be comfortably warm.

I think I did OK today -- I threw a cropped corduroy jacket in burgundy over this ensemble to wear under my coat -- toasty but definitely in the realm of Hobo Chic.

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22 replies

Latest reply was from Transcona Shannon

Raisin

Veteran

I know what you mean Day Vies, I absolutely hate being cold, so fashion usuully takes a back seat. Your outfits look fab though, and I bet that jacket is warm. Today it was -24C which felt like -36C with wind chill! I had to go to the grocery store tonight, and the only think that makes me look presentable is my nice winter jacket. I'm a schlub underneath, but no one knows!

Day Vies

Veteran

I love it! I'm not the only one who puts a nice coat over crap!

Tina

Veteran

Oh no you are not the only one and we're none the wiser:-)
You are a vision of loveliness. The skirt, blouse and boots just flow and you carry yourself so well.

Thistle

Veteran

Well, for not feeling I spired, you look great! The boots and skirt look so nice.

I am not alone! There are many days I look less than fab under my winter coat as I layer up to stay warm and run errands. Frankly, no one notices. They are all too busy trying to keep warm themselves to even notice what I'm wearing!

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Well as a person who really dislikes being cold and lives in a warm climate, I can only say that seeing you in the cold would give me a punch of energy that would warm up my day! Very impressively done while keeping warm!

Aida

Veteran

No advice on what to wear sub zero, but this looks lovely! Your outerwear has great hints of glamor to it, even though you're all bundled up. I would probably load up on cashmere and wear silk thermals and thick wool trousers, but I have only been in that kind of weather a handful of times in my life (all ski related so uhhh not the most fashionable!). Hopefully some of our colder weather forum members can chime in!

pil

Veteran

That hat is adorable! It must come in handy this time of year : ) I second Aida's suggestion of thermals. While I've never had silk, my Cuddlduds often do the trick.

bj1111

Veteran

deginitely the chicest hobo i've seen!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

You can do no style wrong in my eyes. You understand fit and proportion. Another 11 out of 10. You have got it going down, girlfriend - boho, eclectic, classic, arty, trendy, no matter what

Suz

(website)

Veteran

LOVE your hat - that is so cute on you!

Also, you are far from the only person who wears crap under a nice coat. The other day, I had a YLF moment of horror when I realized that I was wearing my thermal underwear and ski pants and sweater under my nice coat to go to the post office. What if somebody ran into me and asked me to have coffee? "Ugh...sorry....gotta run!!! I can't let down the YLF side!!!"

(P.S. Your outfit actually looks great. Not crap at all.)

My strategies, by the way, are similar. I have been wearing skinny trousers (not jeans) tucked into knee high insulated boots for more days than I want to count, with a variety of toppers. Today it was a cami, knit shirt, navy turtleneck, and the new leather jacket plus a scarf, all topped with my wool coat and hat.

rae

(website)

Veteran

Your coat AND outfit are both lovely! Have you tried Uniqlo Heattech layering pieces? I have heard great things, and they layer right under without adding bulk - as little as a regular cami.

Vildy

Veteran

oooo, please tell me something about that wonderful hat! So hard to find an ultrawarm
hat that isn't a ski cap.

Anonymous

Are you kidding me? This is friggin' great! I went for hobo today and I'm proud. I was wearing a skirt over fleece lined leggings, flat over the knee boots that looked a tad weird with the skirt, a fitted tee under a silk blouse and a thick sweater, then I topped it off with a beanie, leather gloves, my super puffer and a scarf, but heck, I wore a necklace

My boss greeted me by saying "OK, so you finally got cold" LOL

Day Vies

Veteran

Thank you all for your suggestions

Rae - I have heard of Uniqlo before but only in passing I had no idea what they made. I will definitely have to check them out.

Vildy -- I got this hat nearly 15 years ago. It's made of fake fur but it fits snug like a skull cap. I also have one in bright red with a smaller brim. I am sure you could find similar hats in your local department store at the beginning of the cold-weather season I have seen them in black, cheetah print, white etc. I wish I could tell you more.

Suz -- Thanks for the strategies -- just reading what you wrote I think I need more layers. I imagine you looked pretty spiffy yet warm with your topcoat off, because you mentioned four layers of indoor clothes.

Pil -- I had the cuddleduds v-neck top on under my shirt. I agree they do work well -- I think I need more layers with my cuddleduds. Just so you know I have some silk thermals and the cuddleduds work better in sub-zero temps.

Zap-- I'm still laughing, you are hilarious. I was actually referring to the phenomena of the not quite coordinated yet warm pieces thrown over an outfit. I spared everyone the hobo-ness that I was today

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

The skirt and blouse and boots are 70s + Ralph Lauren. I guess that makes for a very Lauren Hutton look. This gives the outfit interest and character, which is not easy for office attire in sub-zero weather!

And sorry, I have no cold weather tips, it's been 28 years since I lived anywhere truly cold (Chicago).

Krista

Veteran

I think you did a great job today - love the Hobo Chic! I agree that it's hard to look "crisp" and sophisticated for work when it's so cold outside. I never actually wear layers like thermals etc under my work clothes because I can't stand them. It creates too much bulk for me! I want soft textures on cold days, nothing that can cause irritation; I have no idea why, it's just where I go in my mind! I tend to wear just regular clothing layers - cami, shirt, cardigan, scarf - so that I can remove items if I get warm. I am one of these people where I have to have the right amount of layers or I am irritated - too few and I am cold (therefore irritated), too many and I am hot (therefore irritated). However, it's far easier to be too hot in layers so items can be remove, so I tend to err on the side of extra layers. Not sure if that helps or not... or maybe I just made things worse?!?

Asingh

(website)

Veteran

DV, thankfully we don't have to deal with sub-zero temperature in New Delhi. Although it does get biting cold during the peak of winters (about 1 to 2 degrees). And even I find it difficult to dress-up during those couple of days of biting cold. I really like your outfit and think you're doing a fine job bundling up in the cold.

Deborah

Veteran

No advice here as our winters are nothing compared to yours:) but want to say how fab your outfit is. Just stunning. Oh and I adore outerwear, it absolutely amazing how fab one can look by throwing on a great coat and scarf and know ones knows what you are wearing underneath:)

Atlantia

Veteran

You have great style, every day, every temperature.
The hat is what really makes your outerwear look special. Very fun and luxe.
My personal strategy for cold weather is fleece lines tights, boots, and an A-line skirt if there's possible snow accumulation. Scarf on top, and usually that's enough to keep my feeling warm. My trousers aren't lined, so tights and skirt always are my warmer option.

Day Vies

Veteran

Whether you had a solution or not I appreciate your comments. As I have said before it's your comments that make posting worth it. Thank you for looking!

Anonymous

Day, you look great for the cold, especially in your elegant coat. I do what Adia suggests and have a deep winter capsule of cashmere ( so warm without bulk), silk long underwear, and lined wool trousers. My feet are happy in Thinsulate lined boots and wool socks.
After seeing your outfit, I want to add a warm hat but can never look as good as you do in yours.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

DV - you couldn't look like a hobo if you tried! Love your winter outerwear - very stylish indeed!

I find there's a certain point in temperature where really, warmth far outweighs style. When we're in our deepfreeze, I will still wear a dress or skirt to work but put on ski pants underneath the dress before putting on my knee length puffer coat. Nobody will see my layers under the coat anyway so I don't worry about it.

Love this skirt on you BTW!