Can Winter Clothing Be Functional AND Fashionable Too?

Winter is a rather impersonal season. (At least in the colder climates, it is.) When the temperatures plummet, so too do our spirits. And our high hopes that by some miracle this year will be warmer than the last are broken like icicles falling from the eaves. We find ourselves running from place to place swathed from head to toe in whatever bulky item we can dig out of our closets. The primary goal on days such as those is to get from Point A to Point B as quickly as possible, with no distractions. There is little desire to stop and smell the metaphoric roses or chat with a friend we meet on the street by happenstance. The fact is, everyone is so bundled up that we would be hard-pressed to even recognize a friend on the street.

Unless the cruel winds of winter are blowing uncontrollably and/or are accompanied by a barrage of sleety pellets, I don’t mind the cold temps. (As all my friends from California where I lived for twenty-five years roll their eyes.) My philosophy mirrors the old Scandinavian axiom that advises there is no such thing as “bad weather,” just “the wrong clothing.”  Alas, the right clothing will keep you feeling warm, but you won’t necessarily feel, dare we say, “fashion forward.” So one I wonder, can one’s clothing be functional and fashionable too?

Thankfully the answer is “yes.” Winter wear, across the board, used to be clunky, shapeless, and heavy—especially the footwear. But many clothing designers are now combining form with fashion, and with a little ingenuity and a good sense of humor, women no longer have to look as though they shop at the sporting goods store for their frosty finery.

When the weather is unbearably cold, one of my best friends is Mr. Sorel. These waterproof Cate the Great boots have seen me through a number of winters. They are funkier than most and they keep my tootsies toasty way down into the minus numbers.

Sorel Cate the Great $175

And these wedge booties will keep you warm in a stylish way.

Reneeze Janice Wedge Bootie

If one is splurging, these shearling-lined boots from No 6 Store are both warm and even a bit dressy.

No 6 Store $390

Doreen Dove recently schooled us on how to shop for coats, and there are plenty of lovely ones out there, and they’re on sale!

This one from Ralph Lauren is warm and packable, which means it’s not bulky. So you won’t look like you borrowed it from Nanook of the North.

Ralph Lauren

Layer a thick sweater under this Military Parka with quilted sleeves and you’re golden.

Zara

A great way to beat the winter doldrums, and still stay warm is with a fun-patterned coat. There’s no rule that says only summer clothing can be whimsical.

TopShop

For more whimsy, a trapper hat or a woolly fleece-lined Himalayan knit can be added. You’ll have to stop worrying about your hair once  you head inside, but you’ll be warm and adorable outside.

J . Crew Trapper Hat

Himalayan Knit Hat – Etsy

Wrap a cozy fleece infinity scarf around your neck or a show-stopping shawl over your coat, and Old Man Winter will be helpless when he attacks.

Fleece Infinity Scarf – Etsy

Pendelton Wool Shawl

WINTER, WE HARDLY KNEW YE

This was definitely the Where’s Waldo of winters here in Boston. And since this was my first “winter” here--one I anticipated with much trepidation, I am not complaining. (In fact, I would like to think that my presence here is partially responsible for the warmer temps.) Now that we have officially arrived at Spring, that for a few days seemed more like Summer, I don’t think we can accurately predict exactly what’s going on. I do worry about our eco-system and how the very unnaturalness of it all will affect our flora and fauna long-term. That is yet to be seen, and I only know that I will be anticipating next winter with even more fear than before, since Mother Nature will essentially be owing us one.

Although the past week had been downright balmy, the weather that followed over the weekend was nasty and cold.  Judging from the extended forecast, Summer (and Spring) won’t be back for at least a little while, so it is safe to assume that a bowl of hot vegetable soup will still be a welcome addition to the menu.  Many years ago, my mom had a go-to soup that was delicious and easy to prepare as long as she had an onion, a potato, a few fresh vegetables in the fridge, and a can of Campbell’s Vegetarian Vegetable Soup. I think my favorite go-to soup is even tastier and it doesn’t require the canned soup and all the sodium that went with it.  Like Mom, I always try to have certain staple ingredients on hand at all times: onions, garlic, and carrots and celery. These veggies can be added, not only to soup, but to pasta sauces, meatloaf, and stir-fries.  I also make sure to always have at least one bag of mixed vegetables in the freezer. These come in handy when the carrots and celery in the fridge have seen better days.

To make the soup: Add one large, diced onion to three tablespoons of olive oil that have been warming in a large saucepan. Once the onion has softened add three cloves of minced garlic to the pot and cook until fragrant (but not long enough for the garlic to brown). Give your pepper grinder a few turns and add about a teaspoon of salt to the mixture. Crumble in some dried thyme or oregano, and if you've got some fresh herbs, chop them up and add them as well.

Now is your turn to get creative. Chop up whatever additional vegetables you may have in your fridge or pantry--white potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, celery, zucchini, broccoli, cauliflower, butternut squash--and add them to the pot. (About six cups total will do.) Stir all with a wooden spatula making sure to scrape up all the caramelized oniony bits on the bottom. Add to that four cups of water, chicken stock or vegetable stock. If you have some demi glace de poulet, add a spoonful of that. Dump in a can of crushed stewed tomatoes if you’ve got one, or a cup of tomato sauce will do as well.  Allow the mixture to come to a slow boil and then turn it down to a simmer.  For some extra flavor you might want to add a small nubbin of Parmesan or Romano cheese. Allow the soup to simmer for about 30 minutes, until all the vegetables have softened. Once that happens you can add a hearty handful of chopped spinach (fresh or frozen), and cook for a little while longer. Taste for additional seasoning, and add a thimbleful of balsamic vinegar for some zing, if desired.

Fish out the chunk of cheese. Get some soup bowls, and enjoy. A little spoonful of freshly grated parmesan on top would be lovely.  Now you are fully equipped to wait it out until Spring really arrives.