Photo: Courtesy of Neowin.com
Most of us New Yorkers don’t expect wintry mixes to last beyond the holidays and tend to underestimate the severity of storms. With an iconic blizzard in the making, it’s important to dress correctly and prepare accordingly, because surviving the snow is the hardest part. Blizzard-like conditions affect what we wear, what we eat, and how we get around, especially in Manhattan. DOWNTOWN has many helpful hints when it comes to getting through days like these. We hope this will help you stay warm, well-fed, and safe!
Staying warm and fashionable can be a difficult combination to achieve. Luckily, many brands offer gear that will help you make a statement on snow-covered streets. The most important of winter gear is a winter jacket. Short jackets may seem trendy, but having one that reaches your knees or ankles will make all the difference. Jackets with more coverage also tend to be waterproof, windproof, and contain a hood. Popular brands include Zara, Canadian Goose, North Face, and Woolrich. So, if your jacket doesn’t include any of these ammenities, I would run out and buy on while you can, you will not be disappointed!
Luckily, a long, puffy coat is easy to accessorize. Uniqlo offers Heat Tech Everything! Their heated leggings and long sleeved shirts are thin enough to fit beautifully under jeans or dress pants. Worried about taking of your gloves off to text or check directions? Luckily, tech-friendly gloves exist! These gloves allow for you to access the touch screen on your phone, without exposing your hands to the cold. Winter hats, ear warmers and wool infinity scarves allows for complete coverage, while still look presentable as you comb the snowy city. Don’t forget your feet, head-to-toe-warmth is key! Regular leather booties aren’t going to cut it in this weather, so resort to boots that are both waterproof and warm. Hunter Wellington boots allow for great grip, no leaks, and warm fleece boot-liners for extra cold days.
Now that you’re dressed to perfection, make sure you are prepared for the blizzard itself. Stay warm with a reliable heat source, stock up on food and water, have backup lighting, and don’t forget to make the best of it! This is the perfect time to finish the book you started in the summer, get paperwork done without any interruptions, organize your closet, or try out the recipes on Pinterest you have been meaning to try for months.
To make a snow day even more enjoyable, make sure you’re technologically prepared, especially if you anticipate losing power. Make sure your electronics are charged, for the sake of both entertainment and communication purposes. Now is the time to go out to the store to purchase a phone charging battery stick and candles galore, because these will become your light, communication, and internet sources. Have logins to HBO Go, Hulu Plus and Netflix as ready as the endless layers of sweaters and blankets. Most importantly, have someone. Whether it is a family member, pet, best friend, or significant other, you don’t want to experience cabin fever. What better way to get snowed in than with people you love? Body heat and good company are the necessities during a blizzard.
-by Deirdre McAndrew
Photo: Courtesy of huffingtonpost.ca
