This past weekend I experienced a real winter and saw snow for the first time!
For reference, I lived and grew up in Florida my entire life so snow is almost never seen. And if you’ve also lived in the South your entire life you’ll need to know how to properly dress for a real winter.
I spent the weekend in Washington, DC for LibertyCon, a libertarian and economics conference, and the weather was a high of around 37 to 41 degrees and a low of thirty.
Here’s what you need to survive the cold.
Winter coat
Buy a heavy 100% wool coat, a down feather jacket, or a thick wind resistant jacket.
I bought a used, ankle-length wool trench coat and although it was heavy, it was the most stylish option for me.
Down feather is a lighter, just as warm option but it’s usually pricier.
For a wind resistant jacket, I’d recommend Superdry jackets.
I’ve tested all three options and it all holds up well in snow weather.
Accessories
Gloves are a necessity and it’ll help prevent frostbite. I only got the cheap, knitted gloves you find at Walmart so it didn’t do much to keep the cold from seeping in. I think leather gloves or fleece lined ones would’ve been better.
Scarves are also needed and it can double as a hat in case you forget to bring one. However, make sure it’s either fleece, fur, or wool to keep you warm.
Socks are also important if you don’t have decent footwear. Go for wool or fleece.
Heat Holders has excellent options for all accessories.
Thermal/base layers
The first layer you wear is essential! This is what prevented me from shivering nonstop.
The secret? I wore a Heat Holders thermal shirt along with a pair of thick fleece lined leggings.
Outer layers
I wore a regular long sleeved cotton shirt on top of my thermal layer and paired it a thick 100% wool sweater.
For the bottoms, I wore the fleece leggings and jeans on top which was sufficient enough on windy days.
The thick wool sweater I wore trapped most of my body heat, so I’d suggest investing in one. The sweater I bought is from Brooks Brothers made with Saxxon wool.
Shoes
Please do yourself a favor and do not skimp on a good pair of boots!
Frostbite is a real thing and it starts off with painful toes and fingers. So invest in a good quality pair of water-resistant or waterproof boots.
I bought a pair of leather Doc Martens which served me well and my feet were nice and warm.
Good luck!
There you have it, a short guide on how to survive a snowy day from the perspective of a Floridian.
Invest in good quality clothes and boots and you won’t freeze.