midwest winters

maratea

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_midwest-winters?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:17Discussion:150ca06a-22ba-4745-873d-1ea67846def2Post:f7197a93-f39e-4d90-8d0e-8ac30e6c558e">Re: midwest winters</a>:
[QUOTE]That's adorable that you're thinking about winter already when it's like the Amazon outside! I love winter! Cuddle Duds under clothes Comfy hoodies and sweaters Fleeces Ugg boots North Face jackets and GLOVES-- their gloves are worth the money Also, invest in an electric blanket. In the winter, I always "warm up the bed" and it feels amazing. We actually save on our heating bill too!
Posted by MarriedInAFever[/QUOTE]

Ditto this. Except change I love winter to I hate winter. Because I do. Indiana winters are so terrible because it's unpredictable. One day it will be so cold with winds and snow and the next day, it's 40 degrees.

MarriedInAFever

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_midwest-winters?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:17Discussion:150ca06a-22ba-4745-873d-1ea67846def2Post:5b7e0d12-1464-4525-a6f9-1d7ca11d1d1e">Re: midwest winters</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: midwest winters : Ditto this. Except change I love winter to I hate winter. Because I do. Indiana winters are so terrible because it's unpredictable. One day it will be so cold with winds and snow and the next day, it's 40 degrees.
Posted by maratea[/QUOTE]

Strangely your winters are generally a lot worse than ours, even though you're only two hours North. But Indiana winters are crazy dumb. If you don't like it, stick around and it will change tomorrow. I just pack on the layers. I always look like a marshmellow.

Lenore2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_midwest-winters?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:17Discussion:150ca06a-22ba-4745-873d-1ea67846def2Post:5b7e0d12-1464-4525-a6f9-1d7ca11d1d1e">Re: midwest winters</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: midwest winters : Ditto this. Except change I love winter to I hate winter. Because I do. Indiana winters are so terrible because it's unpredictable.<strong> One day it will be so cold with winds and snow and the next day, it's 40 degrees.
</strong>Posted by maratea[/QUOTE]

Minneapolis is exactly like that. It can change so much it just gives you whiplash trying to adjust. I am even hoping this hot summer does not turn into an unseasonably cold fall. That happens too.

Jelenny

it depends on where you are....

i lived in milwaukee and the lake could be brutal with wind chill/lake effect snow

ohio isn't as bad...I am in columbus so no lake effect

Jelenny

gack it didnt take my whole post!

my favorite is my columbia coat - the inner layer splits off so you have three different coats pending weather

layers are always good!

ast.meghan

I currently live in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and have spent 5 winters here.  I agree with PP about th cuddle duds - they are awesome on days when the wind is really blowing or its really cold - and a good pair of boots.  Keen makes boots that are fairly good looking but extremely functional and super comfortable.  I tried Uggs, but have found I like the Keens a lot better. 

 Wool socks are also a must.  Smartwool makes thinner wool socks that fit easily in shoes.  Wool is nice because it keeps your feet warm even if they're wet or damp.

I know a lot of PP are suggesting a good pair of gloves, but if you can live without the dexterity of individual fingers, I would suggest mittens instead.  My hands are almost always cold in the winter and mittens are the only things that keep my hands semi-warm.

Good luck with your first winter! 

*BeachBride0410*

I hate Indiana winters!  Living in Indianapolis it can be so up & down.  But most of the time I have to wear dress clothing because I'm at work most of the time.  So I would wear leggings under dress pants....with knee high boots.  Sweaters, sweaters & sweaters   and I always layer under the sweaters.  I have a long wool dress coat that I wear with leather gloves, they work great!  I also have a scarf that I wear.  It's so unpredicatable...it could get cold as early as October & it lasts all the way through March sometimes.  I think January is the worst!  And I used to live in PA, where the weather was somewhat of the same...but in the midwest the wind is nasty!

kayladee87

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_midwest-winters?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:17Discussion:150ca06a-22ba-4745-873d-1ea67846def2Post:f7197a93-f39e-4d90-8d0e-8ac30e6c558e">Re: midwest winters</a>:
[QUOTE]That's adorable that you're thinking about winter already when it's like the Amazon outside! I love winter! Cuddle Duds under clothes Comfy hoodies and sweaters Fleeces <strong>Ugg boots</strong> North Face jackets and GLOVES-- their gloves are worth the money Also, invest in an electric blanket. In the winter, I always "warm up the bed" and it feels amazing. We actually save on our heating bill too!
Posted by MarriedInAFever[/QUOTE]

Ugg boots for sure.  But not the "trendy" ones (the ones that make you look like you have duck feet, IMO).  I've seen those get ruined from the salt they put on the streets and sidewalks.  I have a pair of leather uggs that are the most wonderful things ever, but I don't think they make the style anymore :(  But anywho, I'm sure there's plenty of heavy duty uggs that are worth the money!

randikins

Illinois winters suck. Just like what mar said they can be unpredictable.

Heavy jackets, scarves and a good pair of winter boots will go a long way. So will gloves when you're having to scrape your car off, especially if there's ice. I'm always busting out the knee high socks come winter. Layers are also your friend during winter here.

Good luck on your first IL winter!

hd7694

We live in Missouri.  I spend all winter in sweatshirts.  FI bought me a carhart coat for Christmas a couple of years ago and I love it.  If I can get by without wearing a coat I will. I hate the bulk but, if I need it, that coat is awesome.

randikins

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_midwest-winters?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:17Discussion:150ca06a-22ba-4745-873d-1ea67846def2Post:fa5daabe-6d58-4331-9883-b56a86d2d58e">Re: midwest winters</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: midwest winters :  Oh, and last year's stint of 40 below wind chill is what made me decide I'm buying a remote starter for my car this year.
Posted by Steph0871[/QUOTE]

I want one a remote start so badly. I'm sure it's definitely worth the money.

meganyani

I spent most of my life in SD so I do know the bitter prairie cold!

I got a down coat from Land's End and it's rated for a certain temperature (like -15). Lots of companies do this and I highly suggest getting something like that. Columbia is pretty good too.

Whatever shoes you pick, get something with grippy bottoms. NO FLAT/SMOOTH soles. Ice will teach you quickly why. You can find 'fashionable' booties that have really good bottoms, promise.

missy68

Iowa. South Central. It's near the Arctic Circle, or so it seems. We had a week of -10 to -20 actual temps last year with wind chills near -40. From October - April, maybe May, I wore long johns (sometimes pants only, sometimes both pieces). I only wore a dress if J was dropping me at the door of a restaurant. Last year, I bought a parka that went to mid-calf level.

Knottie1435582995

I'm from MI (also 4 years in Illinois) and DH is from Northern MN.  It definitely gets colder where DH is from, i.e. not unusual for it to hit a NATURAL -40.  I believe whole heartedly that if the temperature is so cold that it makes your tears freeze to your eyes when you walk outside that human beings should *NOT* live there.

Our best advice: 

Don't be afraid to pay money for a good winter coat.  Get a double layered one.  DH swears by Columbia jackets, and I swear by my North Face jacket.  Either way, they're very thick with multiple layers.  Try to get a coat that has a neoprene shell to keep the wind from blowing thru.  The wind can be killer. 

MITTENS!!!  Yeah, gloves give you more dexterity, but mittens will keep your hands MUCH warmer.  Also, if you're scraping your car like I do, you'll lose fingers if you don't have hand protection.  But, it's always good to have a pair of gloves too, and I absolutely LOVE my North Face gloves.  They're thin so it's easy to do things in them, but they're really warm and almost impervious to wind

Good boots.  Make sure they're waterproof too...the Midwest tends to get really slushy a LOT.  I wear boots everywhere and bring a change of shoes for two reasons:  1) warmth, and 2) the salt ruins EVERYTHING!  I really like Merrill boots.

Ear protection.  If you're going to be walking for a while in the wind make sure you have something for your ears (even if it's just the hood on your coat).  The wind can REALLY hurt.

And just as a side note:  if you've never been in a "winter" I'd like to warn you to always be careful of a "fresh snow."  A lot of times that snow is covering some nasty ice.  So be careful walking and driving.

sarabear23

You girls are AWESOME. I have one question tho. WTH are cuddle duds? haha

frogurt814

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_midwest-winters?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:150ca06a-22ba-4745-873d-1ea67846def2Post:b548fec4-6768-4482-8f32-3307b88ce8a9">Re: midwest winters</a>:
[QUOTE]You girls are AWESOME. I have one question tho. WTH are cuddle duds? haha
Posted by sarabear23[/QUOTE]
Cuddle duds are just a brand of long underwear, essentially.  I love them too.  Wear them all winter under my jeans/work pants/pajamas.

sarabear23

got it! thanks