January successes - YouLookFab Forum

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January successes

LaPed

Veteran

Well, I managed to add two (!!) pairs of winter boots in January. One of my goals for 2022 was to take care of winter footwear and outerwear before adding any other clothing. I outgrew my primary pair of winter boots, and most of my other boots have become too snug to accommodate thick winter socks and are now mild-weather-only. I've become dissatisfied with my daily down parka for fit reasons (tight shoulders) and find myself reaching more and more for my gear jackets instead because they accommodate layers better. It's been cold here, I'm outside more than ever, and I have a low tolerance for the cold!

The Uggs are secondhand, and I replaced the old insoles with new ones purchased directly from Ugg. The Xero Alpines are *much* warmer than they look, wonderfully lightweight, and flexible. I sized up so I'd have room to swap out the stock insole for a piece of sheepskin, and now they are just ridiculously comfortable. I also received a third pair of winter boots that I'm debating whether or not to keep. They are quite cute IRL, to my eye at least! Possibly overkill to have three pairs in rotation, but I do need them for at least one-third of the year...

I've tried and struck out on parkas so far, but considering how much a decent down parka costs right now, I can't afford *not* to be picky. While I was waiting on a parka order I was certain would be perfect, I broke my own rule and purchased a pair of black jeans and a layering top on Poshmark. I'm glad I did, because both are perfect and in constant rotation. Over the past few months I've set aside several pants and jeans that are too big, and seem to always be short on long sleeve layering tops (I can't wear wool without them, so they are beyond essential in the winter). Anyway, the parka rejects have been returned, and I have another one on the way to try (the Lole below). Fingers crossed...

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Oboz Andesite Mid Insulated B-DRY

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Lole Marybeth Longline Jacket

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Shopping

17 replies

Latest reply was from JAileen

rachylou

Veteran

Tell me about the Mixon… the tall boots… I’m looking for a midcalf pair…

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

That's great- congrats!

kkards

Veteran

Love the boots! I totally believe in getting the foundation right , so finding the right footwear is key.
Hope that the jacket works for you.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Excellent additions to your outdoorsy lifestyle! Hope the parka works out, and good job embellishing your wardrobe essentials categories too

Have you tried Uniqlo's Heattech tees under your wool sweaters? You can get them across thicknesses and levels of warmth. VERY effective!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Excellent additions. I like the look of the Mixon boots. As for the third pair, what looks different (and possibly super helpful) is the lugged vibram sole (it may be similar on the second boot) but in any case, that type of sole is super useful to have in the type of weather you are dealing with.

I think you broke your own rule to good effect. When the right thing comes along, it's worth grabbing.

Meanwhile, I really like the look of the Lole jacket. I have a parka from Lole that was one of my first YLF purchases 11 years ago and it is still going strong. It's a bit warm for my current climate but I do wear it on nighttime walks and presumably will wear it on trips back east. The quality is excellent. There are things that a newer style would improve on (e.g. the zippers tend to get stuck on the pockets as they sometimes do on older down jackets). But honestly, the other features were remarkably ahead of their time and still excellent.

Aquamarine

Veteran

Echoing Angie…Heattech tees are essential, three season items for me. I wear them under wool and cashmere sweaters, hoodies, everything. I do run cold and have so many of them now (3 different weights).

I’ve heard so many good things about Lole outerwear and hope that jacket works out for you. That’s a great price.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

High five on two pairs of boots. I felt a little extravagant with my two new pairs last month, but I wear them both.

Can you wear any of these with your green ditzy dress? With adequate underpinnings and a cardi, can it be winter wear, or does it have to wait for spring?

Good luck with layering pieces to wear under wool. I gave up 2 decades ago. No fabric was thick enough. Another place for the itch to get to me was the bottom of my neck, because most crew neck undershirts were not as high as my sweaters (& if they were, I didn’t always like the look of them peeking out). Maybe heavy mock T-necks?

Runcarla

Veteran

A few folks have done a mid winter refresh, and boots seem to be high on the priority list. I like the Lole coat you are contemplating - it is a handsome piece in a good colour.

My (inexpensive) black leather combat boots developed a hole at the heel, so I’ve thanked them for their service and put them to rest. Purchases for January were two pairs of boots and a cashmere/merino blend beanie. It’s all about staying warm.

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Joy

Veteran

Your new items look needed and look useful for your winters. I ram soles will help to keep you from slipping on the ice, Well worth avoiding a trip to the emergency room. Keep it all.

nemosmom

Veteran

When it’s cold 33% of the year, having the right footwear and clothing to stay comfy is key!! These are really great additions and you’ll got a ton of use out of them. Hope the Löle works out!! It’s a great color!

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

New items look great. I am wearing second hand Uggs right now - they are my indoor winter slipper. I need some heattech stat. Although it will warm up here soon. But also looks for long sleeve cotton for under my wool sweaters.

Bijou

Veteran

What Nemosmom said! There does not seem to be anything excessive about having 3 pairs of boots in the mix given your lifestyle and climate. The best part of having multiple shoes is that it allows each pair to properly dry out between wears, making them last longer.

Jonesy

Veteran

I heartily endorse multiple boots, especially given how practical they are for you. I finally wised up a few years ago and now have three different pairs of gear boots, for all sorts of weather, and my life (and dog walks) are so much happier! Good luck with the incoming parka!

Style Fan

Veteran

Lole makes fantastic winter parkas. I have one from twelve or thirteen years ago that is still in great shape. I hope yours works out.
Winter is my dominant season. Three pairs of winter boots do not seem excessive in our climate. I have thought about ordering another pair this winter.

Helena

Veteran

Excellent finds - well done LaPed; I don't doubt these will more than justify themselves in terms of wear and value.

LaPed

Veteran

Argh, sorry to post and then disappear. Busy week!

Rachylou -- the Mixons are an old model made on the same last as the Adirondack 2. They're fully lined in shearling and super warm. Waterproof too -- they have an eVent membrane. These are a direct-ish replacement for the Adirondacks that got too small for me. I actually thought I'd get a new pair of Adirondacks, but the new version has quite a few (disappointing) changes. The shaft of the boot is lined in faux fur instead of shearling, and the toe box has gotten narrower and pointier. And the price went up 10% from when I looked at them last year... Secondhand to the rescue!

Chewy and kkards -- thanks!

Angie and Aquamarine -- Yes, love my Heattech tops! They play a somewhat different role for me than ribbed cotton tops do. The texture and cling factor mean I don't like to wear them in an outfit where they're visible or would be a standalone top if I remove a layer. I also like to give my skin a break from synthetics whenever I can, so I tend to do poly and nylon only on "gear days" when I know I'll be doing something high-output that justifies a moisture-wicking top.

Stagiaire Fash -- I've come to terms with dresses not being practical for me in the winter. Too many unplowed/unshoveled walkways, slush everywhere, snowbanks, road salt/sand. Not to mention drafts... I get tired of winter dressing because the only way I feel warm is to be "fully encased" -- at least two full layers everywhere. Have you watched Jonna Jinton on YouTube? Maybe I just need to toughen up! youtube.com/watch?v=Hw0cR8euig0

Runcarla -- I think a midwinter refresh is a good strategy when winter is long! It's funny, my warm-weather clothes feel "new" to me for years. My cold-weather clothes start to feel shabby and worn into the ground after a season or two.

Joy -- Yes, I love Vibram soles. This is the first pair I've tried with the Arctic Grip compound. If I keep them, I'll report back once I've put them through their paces.

Nemosmom -- After adding an olive-coloured spring/fall jacket, I realized I could really benefit from an olive winter coat!

Jaime -- High five for thrift scores!

Bijou and Jonesy -- I wholeheartedly agree with you about multiple boots. DH and DS both wear the same boots day in day out and would be confused if I tried to give them extra pairs. Through that lens I can start to feel like a Very Extravagant Person, although I know I'm really not!

Style Fan -- I really hope this Lole parka works out! If it does, I expect I'll get many years out of it.

Helena -- That is exactly why I set myself this outerwear goal. Going over my wear counts, it became pretty obvious why I'm feeling the need for a refresh. I still think of the chocolate brown down jacket I bought in 2019 as my "new" parka, and it has over 100 wears. Covid time-warp doesn't help...

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UGG Adirondack III Waterproof Bootie

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JAileen

Veteran

I hope your coat on the way works out. Good coats at a good price are so hard to find. I look for sales at REI and Patagonia (local stores) and even found a great Marmot parka at Sierra Trading Post (another local store). A few days ago we were out birding and it was cold and windy, yet I was warm!