I’ve Lived in Chicago for 15 Years—These Are My 15 Winter Should-Haves — Autum Love

Residing in Chicago for the previous 15 years has taught me a couple of essential classes about winter—like how one can navigate icy sidewalks, recognize a heat espresso store, and most significantly, how one can costume for survival with out sacrificing fashion. After I first moved right here, I naively thought {that a} puffer coat and some sweaters could be sufficient. However after one particularly brutal January the place I discovered myself under-dressed in a snowstorm (rookie mistake!), I rapidly realized that Chicago winters demand a unique stage of preparation. Over time, I’ve refined my winter wardrobe right into a set of necessities that may deal with something from bone-chilling winds off Lake Michigan to the deceptively sunny-but-freezing days that at all times catch you off guard.

These necessities are extra than simply objects in my closet—they’re the items which have grow to be my cold-weather MVPs, making these limitless grey days really feel a little bit extra bearable. From the proper wool coat that I’ve been sporting on repeat for years to cozy cashmere sweaters that really feel like a heat hug, every merchandise is handpicked to maintain me heat and trendy, it doesn’t matter what Chicago throws my means. And let’s be actual, in a metropolis the place winter usually stretches nicely past its welcome, discovering items that mix practicality with a contact of luxurious is essential. It’s taken a number of trial and error (and various frostbitten fingers), however I’ve lastly cracked the code on what it takes to outlive—and thrive—via a Midwest winter.