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Chicago (and other places where it happens to get cold) Essentials

February 10th, 2010 | 7 comments | Unfiltered

So there was a lot of hub-bub around my move to Chicago. Apparently it’s cold here. And it snows. So, in the event you’re thinking of moving here, or if you’re just thinking about relocating to a place where the climate is the POLAR OPPOSITE of where you’re coming from, here are some tips from me to you;

1. You definitely need a good coat. There are mixed emotions about what “good” is. I got mine from LL Bean and love it. And, it wasn’t $300+ like similar North Face gear.

2. You need good boots. I bought myself a pair of Hunters and a pair of Alpines, which are knockoff Uggs. I’ll tell you right now, spring for the Uggs. I haven’t bought a real pair yet but my alpines’ soles had worn through after a month or so. The material that makes up Uggs is more heavy duty. The Hunters are FABULOUS. I can walk through puddles and snow drifts, no problem. Make sure you get a pair of the fleece inserts, they’ll keep your toes warm when you’re playing in the snow.

3. Get scarves. More than one. I know diddly squat about fashion (here’s a how-to in case you’re fashionably challenged like myself) but I know that my red, blue or yellow scarf makes my black jacket and black boots seem a little less boring.

4. Get the half-glove/half-mitten get-up. My sister got me a pair from Target and they are awesome, especially bc the thumbs are always free (not covered on the tips) so I can use my iPhone with ease. If you aren’t emotionally and physically attached to a touch screen device – get some regular gloves. Those work too. Or, if you’re not interested in losing the tips of your fingers in the most bitter cold, you could grab a pair of these bad boys.

5. Get a good winter hat. Or earmuffs. I’m still working on this one since I can’t seem to find my ubercute hat that I got at Gap, so I welcome any/all suggestions on this one!

Any tips for those of us new (or re-introduced) to colder climates? Do share!

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  • http://twitter.com/fredcadena fredcadena

    As one who is physically an emotionally attached to my Android and my thumbs, I can vouch for the Dots gloves.

  • aweitsman

    I found that a few good sets of thermal underwear (especially for the legs) can go a long way when it's snowy and on has to trudge through the city in dress pants. Packing one of those snap hand warmers from a camping supply store can help if the power goes out and you're left to huddle in an apartment without heat.

    Then again, I'm used to triple-digit temperatures, so anything below 60 is cold to me.

  • emilyjasper

    Great post! I learned a couple lessons coming from DC to Minnesota last year:
    If you have a car, spring for getting it washed after it's covered in salt. You'll be happy because then the salt won't rub onto your pant legs each time you get in and out of the car.

    Keep your sunglasses handy: the sun reflecting off snow is brighter than summer sun, totally life saving if you're out and about.

    And finally, keep some kind of towel/dustpan kit handy for all the sand and grit that come off your boots when they dry off. No matter how many times you try to get the grit off outside, there's always a mess.

  • http://engineeringeileen.blogspot.com/ Eileen

    Great suggestions! I've been in Chicago for 5 years now and have picked up a few tricks to make it easier to deal with the winter. In addition to getting good necessities you described, I also wear lots of layers – tights under my pants help keep my legs warm and are not bulky under dress pants (actually they have a Spanx-like effect of holding things in – bonus for dealing with any extra winter pounds that may creep in!), and tank tops under sweaters. If it's really cold, I'll wear a hooded sweatshirt under my coat, which I can take off when I get to work. I actually will wear the hood on top of my winter hat (which is just a standard hat from the Gap – no special ideas for that one) for extra head warmth… funny how much of a difference these extra steps make when fighting the crazy Chicago winds.

    sometimes I think the hardest part is doing all this without looking like a bulky slob :) wrote about tricks for balancing professional work attire with winter-proof gear, if you are interested!

  • http://detroit.fwix.com Jamie Favreau

    I don't dress that well and I have lived in MI my entire life.

  • http://www.rosssimmonds.com/ TheCoolestCool

    I've lived through the snow days and blizzards my entire life. One important lesson I learned is that it is important to keep snow OUT of the boots. A good way of doing this is getting plastic grocery bags (sorry environment), put them in your boots and tie them at the top so if snow does get in your socks dont get wet. Once you get in the car, bus or whatever – As long as your out of the snowiness its time to take the bags off. Trust me, it works wonders when the snow begins to get up to your shins.

    Finally, don't eat yellow snow. Its bitter and tastes nothing like a snowcone.

  • http://www.rosssimmonds.com/ TheCoolestCool

    Long johns (Thermal Underwear) are a staple part of a Canadian wardrobe..