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PPL and RNW?

catgirl

Veteran

or "Really Nasty Weather". I find that PPL causes my pants to get soggy/snow-crusted hems unless I stuff them into my boots, and then they are wrinkled. This is why I wear skirts and tights all winter. (I won't even go into the down skirt look that is SO Alaska chick gear!). I want to be P in every way now, but how to solve this problem?

General

40 replies

Latest reply was from Michelle

kellygirl

Veteran

LOL-- a down skirt? Are you kidding? I need a visual, pronto! I can sympathize with soggy hems but can offer no advice on that front. I tucked all last winter : )

Jonesy

Veteran

Sorry, my attention was diverted away from your question by your mention of a *down skirt*! Can you post a pic of this fascinating garment :)?

Re. your question: maybe slim pants or skinnies tucked into boots are your new best friends?

Jonesy

Veteran

Okay, Kelly and I posted at the same time with the same reaction--great minds think alike :)!!

catgirl

Veteran

Hahaha! Here's the link... a local store sells them and they go like crazy. They really are perfect for after skiing, walking from the parking lot to the office/school/store, etc. Like a zip-on blanket for your legs. I know, I know - it's like that giant fleece bag garment that everyone loves. Ridiculous but sort of a unique Alaskan fashion. There's even a mini which is good for butt coverage on the rides at our winter carnival.

http://snosmart.com/skirts-down.html

Carole

Veteran

You make a very good point, it seems in AK the PPL could be a disaster. What would Angie do?

Jonesy

Veteran

Fascinating! I have to admit, the skirt looks pretty cool and I'll bet it's super-snuggly :). Do you wear silk long johns underneath? Thermals? Smart wool tights?

Maybe Angie will chime in and offer her sage advice; I think skinnies or slim pants tucked into fab knee-high boots is your best bet.

catgirl

Veteran

Jonesy, I don't have one... You just zip them over whatever you have on, unless you're wearing them for actual athletic activity. Lots of moms wear them over their work skirts to stand around the playground waiting for their kids.

I laughed at them for about three years and now I desperately want one. A friend of mine is the local model so I'm hoping she'll score me one for free. All the hip outdoorsy babes here sport them, and lots of MOTGs too.

Jonesy

Veteran

I get it--it's outerwear like a jacket! Pretty smart, actually. Easier to get in and out of than a pair of snow pants, which is what I wear regularly in the winter to walk the dog when it's around zero out.

You would look stylin' in one!

catgirl

Veteran

Exactly - a jacket for your legs! And probably warmer than pants, just like a mitten is warmer than a glove. Don't know about stylin', though.

kellygirl

Veteran

Oh, that's much better than I had imagined. I was thinking something more sleeping bag-esque. They look quite toasty. I'll be keeping an eye out for them this winter--I didn't see any last year at any of the resorts. ( I'm pretty sure I would have noticed too.)

LOL, Jonesy! RIght on. I see we both appreciate quirky!

Maya

Veteran

I am not even going to say anything about those ridonkulous skirts...

Are your jeans skinny enough to tuck? Tucking jeans into boots is indispensable for me in winter. Mine do not get wrinkled funky but they really hug my legs. You need very skinny jeans to tuck. I can't think of any other solution. I can't even survive without this option in New York, let alone Alaska.

catgirl

Veteran

Maya, yes to skinny jeans. I'm talking about work pants, whIch are usually some kind of gabardine for me (mostly from j. crew's career line)... They just get so crushed or messy. I think that's one reason I've never had PPL, because the hem just gets trashed. I'm NOT saying I wear floods, but I've never had my hems to the bottom of my shoes!

catgirl

Veteran

Oh, and Maya, I laughed my head off on Canal Street when I saw Carhartts in the stores - those are what Alaskans wear to ride snowmachines! So you may see down skirts migrate to NYC someday...

Marley

Veteran

I once had a skirt that could have doubled for a sleeping bag - don't know what I was thinking, but it was really cool in a weird kind of way! I would rock one of those down skirts if I lived in Alaska - AG, I bet you could too!
As far as the pant length issue goes - I have no solution - except to just wear skinnies! Sorry!

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

Part of me really likes those down skirts.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Come on! I live in Seattle - I get the wet weather better than anyone.

Never wear bootcuts in the snow or rain unless you are commuting door to door with a car. Must wear skinnies, leans or leggings tucked into boots. Or straight legs with booties. Or skirts and dresses with boots/booties.

Easy

Sparky

Veteran

I kinda like the mini one. I was envisioning big, puffy quilted squares or diamonds for the down skirt. This just looks like cool gearish outerwear.

No help with the question at hand, AG. Sorry.

ETA: Well, look at that. No-nonsense Angie has spoken, and that makes complete sense! I was thinking only those with door-to-door car service could pull off what you were talking about, and there Angie goes and spells it out clear as day. The only other option is to wear something else to commute and then change when you get to work? But that's a hassle.

catgirl

Veteran

Angie, thanks! Easy peasy. Note to self: get chauffeur immediately. Or move. It's not rain so much as snow that is the problem, though.

I don't think I could get away with wearing any of those things to court. Any footwear goes here, even Uggs, but I can't see clients wanting their lawyer in leans before a judge.... Can tuckable items be dressy enough? I would love some examples. Really, I am okay with skirts but I get sick of tights and itchiness after six months! Straightlegs I can do, but booties? The snow on the sidewalks is rarely less than several inches. If you want proof, I can post photos! I know East coast cities and places like Minnesota and Canada must have the same issues.

Perhaps I'll have to get a down skirt just to model it. Hee hee.

Anonymous

I'm in the same predicament since I cannot wear skinnies, leans or any other form of pants tucked in when I'm out at a client's location. The tights,skirts and boots combo is not warm enough for me, even if I wear a long jacket or coat. I can only do skirts and tights in the fall, pretty much. Maybe that down skirt is for me, I would totally wear that!!!

Needless to say, I have very few options left.

I commute by train everyday and walk about 5 blocks to my office. My only solution to date is to tuck the back hem inside my booties. I don't tuck the entire thing in, just the part that skims the floor. I hope it makes sense.

It's far away from fab, but you gotta do what you gotta do...

Mamapicklejuice

Veteran

WWAD? (What Would Angie Do?) Surely there must be some swag available with that motto?

Refugee

Veteran

I live in an area that runs the gambit when it comes to weather. We too have brutal winters with lots of snow and ice. Here's what I do with my pants to avoid the problems of which you speak. First, I wear a straighter leg pant. Then before I put my snow boots on, I put a few very wide cuffs in them. This helps them lay flat against the widest part of my calf inside my boots so they don't wrinkle. Then when I get to the office I can switch my boots out for my shoes and uncuff my slacks. I'm rather careful about which shoes I actually wear outside during the winter because the combination of moisture, salt, and gravel can severely shorten the life of my shoes. Not to mention destroying the hem of a nice pair of slacks.

Marigold

Love the skirt! I've never seen them in any store here in NYC, I bet they'd be popular, after all, we do get snow and Uggs and down coats are vastly popular... If you get one, please post a pic!! Hmm anyone up for a challenge to NOT wear PPL in the winter?? Only skinnies, leggings and skirts with BOOTS. I hate hate hate the bottoms getting wet, and I just realized that my jeans are all in need of hemming. Sigh.

lady

I'm in West PA so I hear you AG....when i read this post, I was praying that there would be some answers that wouldn't require me to rehaul my entire wardrobe. After last winter's Snowmageddon, there was no fashion. no style. only survival.

Angie has spoken and the answer seems to be straight legs with boots/booties. sigh.....straight legs do not love my curves like trousers do. I'm still in the market for affordable boots. My skirts need a bit of hemming or tossing out and replaced. ugh....sounds like a rehaul and I need to work on settling some debt.....

I hear you on clients' perception...I doubt in front of the judge is the place for leans tucked in boots. You may have to suffer with the tights and skirts. Do you have court several days a week?

so glad you asked this question! even if the answer is not what i wanted to hear, lol.

lady

I ALSO like the down skirt. It looks especially cozy....for those days when the high temp is 3 degrees F where I live, I could go for one of those, lol.....

catgirl

Veteran

Hmmm, sounds like I need to get me a down skirt as a "sacrifice" to YLF! It is on my Christmas list already - standing and waiting for my son after school in -20 is reason enough! And I've heard they are great for dog-walking too!

Sorry there are others in the PPL predicament, but at least I don't feel so alone.

bj1111

Veteran

if you have room in your boots, you can try tucking in your bootcuts then untuck for court/client mtgs.

works best with a looser boot or a thinner fabric pant. i use athletic socks with thick ribbing to hold down the extra fabric and provide warmth.

ps: how unfab to have ppl but have your uggs peeking from beyond.

MsMary

Veteran

OMG, a jacket for your legs! I love it! It would be awesome for wearing to an outdoor athletic event, too!

Anonymous

This morning I was walking the kids to school and I thought to myself "its so cold....wouldn't a blanket for my legs be nice" Clever Alaskans were one step ahead of me!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Okay! I have been to NYC in Jan and Feb many, many times. In-between blizzards and lots of snow. I always commute on foot - seldom by taxi or subway. I totally get it. I might look and sound like a princess but I am extremely practical

Read this post:

http://youlookfab.com/2009/02/.....manhattan/

The sidewalks (or pavements if you please) are well salted and cleared - no problem wearing booties with straight legs at all. Get yourself to the Gap for those slacks. As far as the hose goes - can't help you there I'm afraid. Silk underwear under pants works well too.

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