WIW: Single-digits Midwestern winter day - YouLookFab Forum

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WIW: Single-digits Midwestern winter day

K.M.

Veteran

OK, so this is not the most inspired or creative outfit... But one of my new year's resolutions is to take more pictures of my outfits and to post more WIWs here, and given the constraints of both the harsh Midwestern winter + my hectic routine, most days I wear something along the lines of this look here.

This is what I am wearing today for a cold Minnesota day--low single digits--with lots of snow on the ground from yesterday (meaning slippery conditions).

Disclaimer: the top is not in quite the right place in the picture, it is riding up slightly, but I promise that's not how it looks most of the time! I.e. you won't be able to see a peek of my t-shirt usually (unless I'm poking my belly out at you, but really, I am not doing that). My hubby took these pics this morning and we were too hurried to retake them when I saw the misalignment.

Regardless, this reveals my biggest challenge with this top. It's a beloved sweater from Benetton from 1998 (!!!!) and while it now qualifies as cropped, at the time it was just the regular length to wear with what were then higher average waistlines. It's been a huge challenge to match it with the lower-waisted bottoms in my wardrobe in the past decade. (And personally I prefer low and midrises). So I don't wear it as often as I'd like.

The jeans are Old Navy curvy from two years ago, not technically midrise but with a higher rise than the other fits.

The snow boots are Columbia Minx Omni Heat. Not the most stylish or dressy, but they are wonderfully warm and comfy to walk miles in.

The puffer is the Modern Down Coat from Land's End in a color called Velvet Orange from two years ago (since discontinued). It's Petite X Small--their smallest size--and still a teensy bit oversized, esp. in shoulders, back and waist. It looks alright open, but when I belt it it does look a bit on the big side for me. Yet the sleeves are just long enough and I'd prefer them longer. I guess I have long arms for my size. Anyway, this is all to say that it's very hard for me to feel elegant in a puffer because they are so often oversized for me; and when I tried Junior's sizes, the sleeves were too short.

This outfit was partly inspired by Angie's cropped white sweater in her winter white-out look. I just didn't have the bottoms to create a monochrome look!

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16 replies

Latest reply was from K.M.

Beth Ann

Veteran

Hello, fellow hardy midwesterner!

I love the color of your puffer. Here in Chicago, it's a sea of black North Face trudging down the streets! Mine is Eddie Bauer, and deep red, but it's a touch too small (I bought it after a period of weight loss, and I was clearly expecting my discipline to continue -- hee). A coat a bit on the large size should be warmer, since a layer of air is essential for the down to work its magic. I think you've probably got the right size here. The wonderful scarf pulls it all together, and the boots are perfect for Minnesota commutes.

Love the high waist/ cropped look on you! I did see some cream skinnies at Loft last week, although I'm sure they're lower in the waist!

K.M.

Veteran

Beth Ann, thanks for the feeback! And also for the tip on the cream skinnies, I will check out their site asap! You are totally right about the slightly larger coat being warmer (and it lets me wear chunky sweaters and jackets underneath).
When I bought it, I was in a phase of purging black and brown from my wardrobe (something to do with being a new mom...) and I wanted something vibrant and happy. I must say that now sometimes I find it a bit too sporty because of the color, not to mention that it doesn't go with everything (I still wear it with everything anyway because it's my warmest coat). But I do get compliments on the color quite often, sometimes from strangers on the street!

PS thanks for the compliment on the scarf. I love it! It's a Burberry knock-off, and just wonderfully soft and warm and not itchy (I have sensitive skin and everything itches, even acrylics sometimes).

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I LOVE the retro aran from 1998. I am soooo stealing it. It's fab over a skirt too.

Your Polar Vortex outfit is perfect. Well done. xo

K.M.

Veteran

Angie, once we get back to (positive) double-digits, I'll pair with a skirt (or two!). I have a high-waisted tweed skirt from... ... 1983!!!! It was my mom's and I'm pretty sure she got it at Marks & Spencer on our first trip to London. I hope to get to wear it next week!

Anonymous

I think the sweater and scarf look fab, and I love the bright cheery colour of your puffer. You know a cognac belt that picked up on a shade from your scarf would look fab on those pants

crutcher

Veteran

You look amazing for this awful midwest winter...I applaud your style and tell you, you do not even closely resemble the Michlein Man...which I have been accused of...Chicago, Minnesota and Michigan are really taking a winter beating...I am ready for warmer weather...But, hey, I said that about a thousand times already...Stay warm..Lovely outfit...

K.M.

Veteran

Diane G, that's a super idea! And I do have the perfect cognac belt (which would also solve the problem of keeping the pants in the right place and not letting the t-shirt show through). I forgot!!! Very sleepy this morning.

Crutcher, thank you! (blushing... smiling...) Here's a pic of me I took later today with the puffer belted. I see some people who manage to look positively sleek in puffers and I somehow don't feel this way--but I tend to be too self-critical in every respect so it's nice to hear your feedback

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Alassë

Veteran

I like the scarf, too.

abc

Veteran

I was just in the Midwest for work. I am sorely lacking in winter wear (aka suitable for the polar vortex). Sigh. Need a capsule so when I'm sent here again I am prepared. Hate that feeling! You look perfectly prepared to battle the temps. I'm going back to Angie's boot recommendations. First thing on my list but its tricky because I need to be presentable in a clients office too so I am thinking la canadienne though they're pricey.

K.M.

Veteran

abc, I've been drooling over La Canadienne boots for a long time... yes, they really are pricey! 6pm.com has some discounted ones.
I saw some dressier options of both cold-weather boots and snow boots from Bare Traps and Anne Klein on Amazon. They won't be as high-quality or possibly as warm as La Canadienne, but if you don't wear them very often they might fit the bill...

rachylou

Veteran

Great puffer! Red! Looks super with the grey boots.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

That sweater is brilliant!! I want to steal it, too. I like Angie's idea to wear it with a skirt. This whole outfit is fantastic from my (Eastern Ontario) point of view. It's cold, it's snowy, and this is bright and happy.

I'm also very interested in your review of those boots. I was actually considering a pair. I have the Kamiks and they keep me very warm, but for some reason the fit feels off this year. I will probably just wear them for this year anyway, but it's good to know you are finding the Columbias serviceable.

I own some La Canadienne boots and they are incredibly well made. Mine are not a true snow/winter boot, but a dressy version and definitely work for city streets.

abc

Veteran

I think if I add a boot designated as my "up north" choice it should be more city and less true snow boot bc that would make it more functional for me overall. Plus it needs to be ok for corporate office settings. I hadn't thought to check 6pm yet so that's a good idea. Thanks again!

K.M.

Veteran

Suz, the Columbia boots are like walking on air. They are super lightweight and sort of cushiony, like a very supportive pair of sneakers. They are warm and very grippy. I think I sized up a half size based on reviews and they feel perfect. Although they're lace-ups, they're incredibly easy to put on and off; the laces don't fall out or get unthreaded and it really is a cinch to adjust them so you can tuck pants in, wear thicker or thinner socks etc. The first time I wore them I made the mistake of wearing the laces too tight and that hurt the top of my feet. I almost thought the fit of the boot wasn't good, but then it occurred to me to ease the laces in that area (you can tighten up more or less in different areas of the foot and calf). The price was good too, especially compared with Sorels and other brands; there was a bit of a discount when I got them).
Really, I couldn't be happier with them. Well, I could be happier if they could look like pointy-toe high-heeled slim boots while feeling as heavenly as they do now.

karymk

Veteran

KM love that sweater and glad you have held on to it. The first thing I thought was, you are letting your sleeves peek out, so why not untuck that tee on the bottom too? That way you get a little more length out of your top part, and the part that peeks out there matches the sleeves, tied together perfectly with the scarf! The pants are dark, so the little red strip at the bottom of your sweater line is just the right pop.

I think that sweater is not really at a crop length, it's too long for that. Maybe if you really want it cropped you can just shrink the whole thing. I think that the best length for a cropped sweater (especially if you have a straight waistline to the hip) is right where your rib cage ends. It's got to be up pretty high to be intentional, imo.

Love that parka and love the unconventional color. It's so juicy and happy in the deep of winter I bet.

K.M.

Veteran

Karen, thank you for the suggestions. Yes! I will try untucking the bottom next time. That would feel more comfortable too. I actually don't want the cropped length--it's not really my cup of tea (it was in my 20s... bare midriff and all... no more!) Thanks for the comments on the winter coat too. I do love the brightness, but I must say that now, two years after I got it, I have belated buyer's remorse sometimes as I wish for a more formal color. So it's nice to get good feedback here as the buyer's remorse quickly dissipates!