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WIW: Inspired by Una + discussion of cold

rachylou

Veteran

What I'm wearing today, inspired by Una's recent swingy dress

Under this dress I've got on two pair of stockings, torso warmer, thermal tank top, turtleneck. Over it, my (sweater-weight) puffer. This is supposed to be the coldest winter in California history on record, and I have to say I don't ever remember this long a stretch of 30F temperatures. This is our fifth day in a row, and mind you, we are by the Bay, which has a moderating effect. We normally stay pretty consistently between 50 and 70 degrees.

Before I thinned out my blood in super hot climes, I would be out in shorts in 60F weather. But those days are long gone. Now I really just don't know how to stay warm. And the puffers aren't really doing it.

I'm beginning to think they don't sell us real puffers here in the Bay Area. Where can I send off for one? Brands? Good ol' LL Bean?

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30 replies

Latest reply was from rachylou

Anonymous

I like to layer too. You would never know what secrets lay beneath your dress I like the swingy shape of your dress on you, though, I'm not sure if my computer screen deceives me, but is your sweater purple or black?

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Heheh...I was just saying on the blog that you don't NEED puffers in the Bay area. But I see it is all relative, and actually, I would need a puffer if I wore a light dress in 30 degree temps...even layered with all those layers. So maybe it's not the puffer that is the problem. It is the other layers. You need a winter wardrobe. Excuse to go shopping again!! Wools! Cashmere! Heavier fabrications!!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Oooh...forgot to add, that is a very "cool" outfit. Cool as in fab on you.

rachylou

Veteran

Sweater is purple

So Suz... that is a complete revelation. The other layers... You mean to say there's more to the winter wardrobe than the coat? Lol!

Ok. I need an education. What exactly goes into a real winter wardrobe?

RoseandJoan

Veteran

I LOVE the mod sci fi look of this outfit Rachy. It is seriously gorgeous.

Coming from left field and it's probably none of my business but as a T1 are you more prone to feeling the cold?

I live in Scotland and don't own a puffer. I do like to layer Uniqlo heat tech items under my clothes and wear leggings under my trousers too but find a wool coat enough. I guess cold really is relative.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

Your look reminds me of this photoshoot

http://kingdomofstyle.typepad......tiful.html

Catnip

Veteran

Lands' End and LL Bean both have good puffers. Most of them are washable. Land's End is currently having a sale.

Diana

Veteran

I love this look. It looks very Japanese to me, not in the Harajuku sense but in that layered, pleated, soft yet structured way if you know what I mean.

I live in Boston and I don't own a puffer. (I think they just make me look and feel so ... well, puffy ... and I'm vain.) But to Suz's point, I wear a lot of wool and it keeps me plenty warm. (By wool, I mean not just regular lambswool but also things like cashmere, merino, etc. Animal hair basically.) Lots of woolen layers keep you warm by trapping heat. And don't forget about a big (woolen, of course; for really cold days I have a couple that are basically big cashmere blankets) scarf, hat, and gloves. Mittens are better than gloves at retaining heat but of course you can't do things that require manual dexterity while wearing them.

E

Veteran

I love this look Rachy!!! I want to steal it.

I rely on lots of wool & silk layers to keep me warm and *always* a wool hat; I managed to make it through 4 Midwest winters in college without a puffer. I feel the heat more quickly than the cold though.

And yeah, we're having a weird winter here in south Texas too. I suspect the weather's only going to get weirder in the years to come.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

Love the look too & agree with Diana - it looks Japanese in an architectural way.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Lands End for puffers.

You look fabulous. And you're wearing white. The sky fell down.

Gracie

Veteran

Rachylou, what is a torso warmer? I didn't know those existed and now of course I might need one

deb

Veteran

Rachy, that is a beautiful dress. What does the top, hidden by the camera, look like? Here in the Sacramento area we have had lows in the low to mid 20's. I lost many plants, I am sure.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

A real winter wardrobe....it's not just the fabrics, it is also the weight of the fabrics. That's why people up here typically trade our closets out seasonally. Because I have very, very few truly cross seasonal clothes. If I lived in Vancouver or Seattle I would have a lot more -- the climate is more temperate there. But in the extremes of temps that we get in the northeast, the kinds of fabrics we wear in hot weather just don't translate to winter -- and vice versa.

There are wool pants....and WOOL pants. Know what I am saying? Tropical weight wools won't cut it for warmth.

It may be difficult to buy truly warm clothes where you live because presumably buyers make decisions based on where they are located and the typical weather patterns.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I love this! And your idea of warm dressing works for me.

Beth Ann

Veteran

I like Eddie Bauer, too, for Puffers!

sarah

Veteran

Very unusual and cool outfit!

Greyscale

Veteran

I love that dress.

(I know, it is so cold! And I do think the dampness here makes the same temperature feel colder. My boyfriend's grad students just relocated from the East Coast to SF last week and they were promised that the Bay Area had perfect weather. They don't mind the cold but they're a little dubious about the promised paradise.)

karymk

Veteran

Oh just in time! I am so sick of being cold in southern cal that I just ordered the Arctic puffer in off white from The North Face. They are real "serious" winterwear but the cuts aren't "Michelin Man" or "Stay-Puff Guy". My coat has a great removable hood with a big fat faux fur trim. Check out North Face. They have several different styles that I thought much better looking than Land's End, LL Bean, Columbia or Patagonia.

I just didn't think a wool coat was going to cut it for me this season. I normally don't go for parka styles, but it is white and the outerlayer is smooth and simple, not all quilted and puffy.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I like my Andrew Marc puffer. I've had it four years. A bit more fashiony, but still warm. The fabric on mine is silk blend with down filling.
Though when that one finally bites the dust I may break down and get another Moncler, though with a hood.

Deborah

Veteran

I love this outfit. Beautiful layering and the dress is to die for. Can I ask you where you got it?

rachylou

Veteran

I'm back! What a crazy life I'm leading... can't even get back to my own thread (but I've been reading reading!)

Thanks for the *boosts* E, caro, shevia, sarah

Jules - I forgot I was type 1, haha. You're right. I'm not sure if being T1 is what does it exactly, but I'm an endocrine mess and had hyperthyroidism They radiated me and now I have borderline hypothyroidism. The whole system is unstable. Awhile ago, my dosage was increased and that helped quite a lot, but...

Anna - Interesting story about the world of ballet (!) Did you hear about the American girl who went to Russia and came back rather than become some rich thug's mistress? Or did you tell me that one? Never thought about Andrew Marc, thanks for the name

Catnip & Beth Ann - I should go check Land's End, LL, and Eddie out. Probably my best serving puffer was Land's End. I don't much about Eddie Bauer.

Suz & Diana - Ok, I'm going to have to think wool. Heavy wool. I really have nothing in this category. I don't think I have since my parents realised they weren't living on the East Coast anymore. I don't know, tho, my only thoughts on the matter (in terms of sources) are extremely dowdy and extremely preppy.

Angie - Wait, what? Did I wear I white? Ohmigosh. I did. I don't know how that one got by me... Ahaha

Gracie - This is a torso warmer: haramaki. Sort of a tube top worn low.

Deb - Top is a tissue-tee Turtleneck. A sort of ruby grape colour.

karymk - Columbia and Patagonia, forgot about those! Haven't done North Face in a long time, since I started seeking longer coats. Not that they don't make longer ones...

Greyscale - I wonder about the humidity factor too in terms of how cold I feel...

Deborah - Would you believe it's a dress from Target? I think it was one of their Go International numbers...

rachylou

Veteran

I am, btw y'all, seriously kicking myself that I didn't get the fleece stocking when I saw them at the drug store. They are gone Gone GONE!

Diana

Veteran

Start with Smartwool. Aside from the warmth factor, you won't even know it's wool.

rachylou

Veteran

I am gooling smart wool right now!

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

This is one if your best. Elegant and modern. You would never know you have so many layers on. If I layer like that I look like a bratwurst.

catgirl

Veteran

Me? Me?! So flattered and your version is so amazing! Layering is the key but since 30 is warm to me and doesn't require layering, I think you've gotten good suggestions. Fleece lined tights and also a cute hat if you can get away with it.

rae

(website)

Veteran

Yay, swingy dress trend has movement on YLF!

I hear you on the recent cold... we are all confused here wondering what to wear, too. I've got my finger on the button to buy some Uniqlo Heattech stuff...

Jeanie

Veteran

Love that dress! Well, they say to bundle up for the cold...you are uber bundled! What is happening the world? Puffers in CA!

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