I Just Spent 2 Weeks in the Freezing Midwest, but These 10 Items Kept Me Warm
They took on below-zero weather like a true Minnesotan.
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UGG / alo / Elix
When I tell people that I grew up in Minnesota, the thing they usually say—besides, “I’m so sorry”—is “Wow, it’s so cold there,” to which I nod in agreement and say, “But hey, at least it’s given me tough skin.” And it surely has. Needing to trudge through the potential 20-plus inches of snow, not to mention the bone-chilling, below zero temperatures, I know a thing or two about how to make it in the cold—and I’m here to spill the (piping hot) tea.
I spent the holiday season back home (and dragged my Italian husband with me, who was so excited to see family but not so excited for those wind chills). For said travels, I dug out some of my most trusted winter fashion and beauty must-haves to pack along. And while New York is cold, it’s cold-cold in Minnesota; not to mention, this time around, there were multiple days of below-zero temperature, so you can best bet the name of the game this holiday season was…bundling up.
10 Cold-Weather Essentials, Per a Minnesotan
Wintertime classic: Ugg Classic II Genuine Shearling-Lined Short Boot, $180; nordstrom.com
Fashion editor secret: Lilysilk Cashmere Balaclava, $69 (Originally $99); lilysilk.com
Skims Cozy Knit Unisex Pullover Sweater, $62 (Originally $78); skims.com
Skin care hero: La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Balm B5, $17; amazon.com
Nordstrom Cashmere-Lined Leather Touchscreen Gloves, $99; nordstrom.com
Bombas Merino Cashmere Blend Rib Calf Socks, $32; bombas.com
Wellness essential: Elix Stay Well Tincture, $32; elixhealing.com
Below, see all the winter essentials this Minnesotan swears by to make it through the bone-chilling cold, including those Hollywood-loved boots, a hat-scarf hybrid even hat haters will love, and a skin-saving face cream.
Ugg Classic II Genuine Shearling-Lined Short Boot
Nordstrom
If you live anywhere cold and don’t have a pair of Uggs yet, get them ASAP. My mom, sister, and I have multiple pairs that we wear on repeat when trudging through the cold. The shearling-lined interior is essential in -10-degree weather; trust me, I put my shearling-lined pair to the test while shoveling a fresh batch of snow that took nearly two hours to clear.
Nordstrom Rib Wool and Cashmere Scarf
Nordstrom
A scarf that doubles as a blanket has saved me many times from blistering wind chills. I like to triple wrap it around myself to cover my face, too, but when I get too warm, I hang it over my shoulders for added warmth on my body. Not to mention, this one also saved me from the chilly airplane A/C en route back to NYC.
Lilysilk Cashmere Balaclava
LilySilk
I don’t like wearing hats, and my husband thinks I’m crazy whenever I step outside sans one. So, I found middle ground with my latest very essential cold-weather staple: a balaclava. It’s kind of like a scarf and hat in one, but still has a trendy feel that many winter hats don’t have. This Lilysilk one is crafted from soft cashmere, so you don’t have to worry about dreaded static, either.
Alo Yoga Foxy Puffer Jacket
Alo
People often think you have to sacrifice style for warmth, and after many years of figuring out how to not have to do this, I found the answer in this Alo Yoga Foxy Puffer Jacket that’s fashionable and warm all in one—love! Its cropped silhouette is an obvious win, plus the zippered pockets and hidden hood snaps add functionality. On Alo’s scale of warm to warmest, it’s right in the middle, so I still suggest layering up underneath, a cold-weather must no matter how warm your outerwear pick is.
Skims Cozy Knit Unisex Pullover Sweater
Skims
When I say my entire family has this cozy, fuzzy pullover, I'm not exaggerating. My mom gifted it to me last year, and it’s been a winter essential since then. My husband actually loved it so much, he wanted one, too, so my sister gifted it to him this year and he hasn’t taken it off since. Basically, whenever we’re lounging at home this time of year, you’ll see us matching in this ultra-warm, ultra-cuddly Skims pullover that feels like a hug in sweater form. You’re welcome.
Clyque the Label Ilana Sweater
Clyque
A cozy, cuddly sweater is a no-brainer when you live in the Midwest (duh!), and this one from Clyque the Label is the ideal balance between cute and warm. It’s made from a cashmere-merino blend that’s so snuggly, plus features an oversized fit that makes it easy to wear over T-shirts and more (a.k.a., when you need to layer). The red color is just the cherry on top, literally, making it a stylish, practical wintertime knit.
Elix Stay Well Tincture
Elix
When it’s cold, you get sick—and that’s just common sense. But, if you build up your immunity, you’re less likely to catch a cold, and that’s what I made sure to do while I was home for the holidays. It was not a time I wanted to spend in bed, and I didn’t have to, thanks to Elix’s Stay Well tincture that I’ve been taking regularly for a few months now. It’s packed with essentials like ginger, mint, reishi, and chaga to support immune health and build resilience. It’s a must this time of year, with the cold and flu seemingly hitting everyone.
Below, shop a few more of the winter essentials that saved me in the below-zero Minnesota winter, including the face cream that soothes my rosacea-prone cheeks.
La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Balm B5
Amazon
Nordstrom Cashmere Lined Leather Touchscreen Gloves
Nordstrom
Bombas Merino Cashmere Blend Rib Calf Socks
Bombas
Read the original article on InStyle
