I have a morning ritual that includes checking my Weather Channel app from the warmth and coziness of my bed. After a morning delay on campus because of Winter Storm Janis and a few texts from family members reminding me to wear a hat, I was a little nervous to see what today would bring. High of 8 degrees with the windchill in the double digit negatives. Woof. While I love Boston, my answer for the tried and true question “What’s your least favorite thing about BU?” is the cold.
In the past, I always traded practicality for dressing cute (i.e. the time I wore cropped pants and loafers when the high was 3 degrees). However, now that I’m a senior, I’ve accepted that dressing warm is only thing to get me through the below freezing, snowy, blistery, icy weather that comes with a Northeast winter. And here are my four rules for survival.
Rule #1: Invest in a long coat. I came to college with one of those michelin man, short North Face down coats without a hood and that was potentially the biggest mistake of my young college career. Not only did I often come home with snow-soaked hair but the wind always found a way to blow up my back which was just not appealing. Christmas of my sophomore year, I invested in the longer version above and have never looked back. Pick one with a detachable hood and maybe even a fashionable little waist tie and you’ll be happy as a clam.
Rule #2: You can never have enough scarves. I’m a scarf horder. You can’t really see it in this picture but I am currently wearing a massive, knit infinity scarf that has been my life saver in Boston. Sometimes I walk around with it wrapped over my head and around my face and let me tell you, it is very warm.
Rule #3: Wool socks are back in style. Freshman year, my dad bought me wool socks and I scoffed. Three years later, I’m biting my tongue. I even purchased these J.Crew Camp Socks in every color during an after Christmas sale. Warmth is always stylish.
Rule: #4: Snow boots are a must. After three years of pretending that my leather riding boots would get me through winter (shocker…they don’t), I finally bought a Northeastern favorite, L.L. Bean Duck Boots, seen here. I am in love. They are great for snow, rain, and ice and keep me from wiping out on slick spots down Comm Ave.
And there you have it folks. Don’t end up like me, spending your first time three years as an icicle. Practical is always fashionable.