Surviving a Midwest Winter: Warm, but Chic

Petticoat Lane - Postcard from 1962

This will be my seventh winter here in Kansas City and each year I am continually discovering the city's rich history of Christmas traditions. For instance, Kansas City used to have a well-known shopping district downtown on Petticoat Lane that would be decorated in grand style with many lights and holiday crowns. The crown would be strung above the street and glow brightly against the brick buildings and winter grey sky. The decorations on the street stood as a long time tradition. Photos at the Missouri Valley Special Collections at the Kansas City Public Library show this festive cheer dating all the way back to 1925, although the crowns don't show until the 1950s. The crowns reigned over downtown's business and shopping district for over 20 years until the 1980s when the tradition died out. Thankfully, the crown decorations were revived in Zona Rosa shopping district just north of Kansas City and can be seen there today.

11th Street - 1925

Petticoat Lane - Photo from 1949

Since I've been here for a good number of years, I can easily say that the winters in Kansas City (and the Midwest in general) can be brutal. Especially in the past few years, winter has become a highly unpredictable set of months. It can go from 60 degrees (today) to 20 degrees the next. Unless you live and work at home, there's really no way to avoid the bipolar weather and I've had to make accommodations to my wardrobe in order to cope. So here are my simple rules for how to survive a Midwest winter in terms of wardrobe - staying warm, but also chic on those frigidly cold days that come.

1. Buy several heavy coats. You'll need them in a variety of colors and styles. I'd recommend finding a bright coat, pea coat, long moto coat, and a pale colored coat.
2. Don't be afraid to look ridiculous. Bundle yourself up with a big thick scarf, beanie or hat, thick socks, and gloves.
3. Don't let any skin show beyond that of your face. Check your ankles (socks!) and wrists. Also, wear an undershirt you tuck into your pants just to be careful.
4. Wear fleece-lined leggings under your pants, jeans, and leggings. This added bit of protection from the winter cold makes all of the difference! You'll thank me later.
5. Keep your sunglasses around. Just because it's freezing, doesn't mean the sun isn't shining.
6. Wear layers of shirts and sweaters. You'll need at least a camisole, a button-down, and a sweater.
7. Since you're bundled up, it's going to be hard to let your cute jewelry show. At this point, I just stick to bold statement earrings and call it a day.
8. Feel like the Marshmallow Man? Just add a belt around your waist.
9. Keep an extra pair of gloves and a hat in your car's glove box. You'll never know when you need it.
10. Bring an electric heater to work if your bones feel cold too. (I do this!)

Here's an outfit idea for you to visualize it all:

Warm, But Chic by historyandhighheels

Flannel top / River Island coat, $140 / Akira Black Label fleece lined pants / MANGO denim skinny jeans, $31 / Pull on boots / DANNIJO colorful earrings / Baldwin tartan shawl / Aerie red pom beanie / Ray-Ban metallic glasses

Also good to remember - when you see those cute images you see of those women dressing so fashionably in the winter in their short skirts and light jackets on Pinterest or blogs, keep in mind they probably are in California, where cold is in the 50s and 60s. Their style isn't practical here!

Have a great week!