Sunday, October 26, 2008

Bus Bundling

I wear skirts and impractical shoes all winter. Unfortunately, I don’t drive from one heated garage to another to get from home to work. I take the bus. On the best of days, that means a cold walk and wait. On the worst, I’m slogging through ice and snow while ducking the overgrown branches that threaten to push me off of the sidewalk and into traffic. I maintain my warmth and footing with strategic bundling.

Here I am, dressed in my plaidtastic best for another business casual day. While the office is a toasty 68 degrees, it’s a windy 29 outside and the streets and walks are covered in ice.

First, I lose the shoes and grab a pair of thick socks. These are actually a pair I used to wear with my military boots. The thicker, the warmer, the better.


I have two pairs of polyester fleece pants. These are better than your typical cotton sweatpants because they don’t absorb water and will keep one warm, even when damp. I put them on under my skirt. If I’m already wearing trousers, I pull the fleece pants on top.


Fleece pants, Moda International. Sexy, no?

Galoshes get me through the winter. Most people think of them as rain boots, but they work well in ice and snow. They are waterproof and have good traction. The thick socks beneath make them warm, too.


Star print galoshes from Target.

Finally, I add what most cold weather commuters wear: a coat and hat. I also usually don a scarf and gloves, but I was getting kind of hot doing these pictures indoors. The fancy shoes are slipped into my work bag, ready to be put back on after I’ve removed the pants, socks, and boots in the office cloakroom. (Coat, Guess. Hat, World Market.)

And, tah-da! I haven’t let the cold weather cramp my style. (Jacket, Odds ‘n Evens [thrifted]. Dress, Bitten. Pumps, Charlotte Russe. Clutch, gift. Headband, Forever 21.)

25 comments:

Cindy said...

To answer a question from another post - have you read the Betsy-Tacy high school series? They are about a girl and her friends and family in the early 1900s and the series is so well-written it's not dated at all. The plots are great and the family has many comforting traditions, plus the descriptions of clothes, hairstyles, music, dances, etc from the time period is fascinating. The first book is Heaven to Betsy by Maud Hart Lovelace. The books will be re-issued in fall 2009 but can probably be found in libraries or used book sources. Try them! Love your blog - very inspiring! Cheers.

Karen T said...

Love it! Let's just hope there's no fire drills in the winter!

Paul said...

You are a star. The next time I moan about the heater in my car not working ( I usually take a hot water bottle on my lap) I will think of you waiting for the bus ready to transform yourself.
No excuses for a lack of style then!

estrella said...

I heard about this habit in the US (I live in Spain and nobody does that here) and I found it curious and most practical at the same time.

sabina said...

I've always wondered how you accomodated inclement weather with your beautiful work attire, without going from garage to garage to get to work!

I have a pair of identical fleece pants and never thought to use them in such a way; thanks!

I've never worn wellies with thick socks as a substitute for winter boots. I've been hestiant for a few reasons:

1. Warmth
2. Traction

(Note, the next part is a product promotion based on my personal experience; I don't work for the company. ;-) )

If you are looking for a pair of stylish, warm, and weather-proof boots, totally check out La Canadienne. Their leather boots are waterproof and lined with cozy fleece. I picked up a pair a few winters ago, and they haven't let me down.

xo

Sabina

Toni said...

Wow. I'm just jealous that you even get to wear all that wintery stuff. California barely ever sees 29 degrees. At least not in Sacramento. It looks like so much fun! :)

jaxindeboks said...

If you love plaid as much as I do then check out shopgoldyn.com. I ordered like 2-3 weeks ago plaid pants and a top sooo cute..

Unknown said...

The main thing that struck me about this post is that, IMO, "toasty" and "68 degrees" do not go in the same sentence together. 68 degrees is pretty chilly to me! :)

I've been meaning to buy some of those rain boots from Target for months now. Did you buy your normal size or go down one? I heard they run big.

Katy said...

I love this post and will definitely bookmark it for the cold winter ahead! I also ADORE your outfit. Plaid = love.

Kasmira said...

jody - I keep my house at 62, so 68 is warm! I can't wait to go to work and warm up in the winter.

I ordered a size 7 boot from Target, although I usually wear a 7.5 shoe. They do run a little large, and I think they only come in whole sizes.

Mimi said...

Thanks for the "bus look"... I knew you would come through with details.
I never thought of polyester fleece pants..I have tried the cheap sweat pants at times and I get these pills all over my tights/nylons. will have to do some shopping before a big snowstorms hits.

Unknown said...

Completely off-topic: you keep your house at 62? Wow! I grew up in Houston and live in Austin now - 62 is very fall-like weather for us. Our summers are often 3 months of 100 degree days though. My house is about 78 at all times; I would freeze at 62.

Kasmira said...

Yup, 62 in the winter, 80 in the summer. I hate to pay the energy bill.

Kim said...

Not that I usually show my husband your blog, but I'm certainly going to keep this post a secret - he would love it if I'd agree to 62 degrees in the house! The other day I had it on 68 and still had to bundle up in longjohns and a hoodie - I'm fairly certain I have no blood circulation. Because I hate paying the electric bill too and the power company warned us our bills are going up about 33% this year. Not good.

Erica said...

Even looking at all your bundling makes me shiver!! That's why I didn't go to school somewhere colder, I'd never make it. Love the galoshes! Very cute.

ebinbaby said...

Love, love, love the plaid!!!
Your cold weather outfit is great - dare I say almost Canadian in it's stylish use of layering for warmth? :)
Up here (300+K north of Fargo!!) I generally rock a similar look on the bus, with a bit more "heft" to accomodate our -35C (-31F) average winter temperature.
Rubber boots are cute but would freeze and crack here. I do wish they made winter boots with bright colours and groovy designs... it would make winter a more enjoyable and colourful season!

Lini said...

I love that you posted how you look going to work in the morning. I recently started my own blog (inspired by yours and countless others) and I decided in doing so that I would add a "commuter pic" so you could see the flats, sneakers, coats I wear on the way in as well. It makes me feel better knowing that Im not the only one who bundles up because fashion is so important to us ;)

www.beantownfashionista.blogspot.com

Reedie said...

What I hate is when people look at my in my rain boots like I am a freak! I don't know what it is about this city, but it seemed like it took a really long time for rain boots to be "acceptable" here, which is silly since they are so practical during our wet springs and winters. I bought a pair way back in 2003 after coming home from London, where they were all the rage. I also came back with a big pashmina scarf, which also didn't fully come into fashion here for a few years after. It's so funny how long trends take to travel this way.

*Diane* said...

Lol.Cute outfit! But so much work to dress and undress to go to work and then go home. i usually just do flats...i'm way, way lazy when it comes to that..lol

Askew To You said...

I enjoyed all the silly faces in this post. I wish you a warm commute. :D

Sheila said...

Thanks for showing how you make it to work, yet still remain fashionable! I walk to and from work (40 min each way, at a brisk pace - it's my alternative to the hated gym) 4 days a week, so I have had to adapt.

I bundle up my clothes and accessories into my backpack (along with my giant lunch), and change when I get to work. I always dress slightly less warm than the weather so that I don't get sweaty.

Right now, it's about 40 degrees in the mornings, so I wear a snowboarding jacket (complete with hood), lined nylon pants, my runners, gloves and scarf. Very attractive!

Helen said...

You inspired me to post my own bundling up on flickr:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/helenalgmin/3063830868/in/photostream/

Also, I went out to buy fleece sweat pants after reading your post - they are great for keeping dry in wet weather!

Michele Theberge said...

I absolutely love your blog, you are completely adorable and this posting is one of my all time faves for it's brilliance - stylish, fashionable yet completely practical!

The fleece pants I own are warm and cozy but so dorky I am embarrassed to let anyone see me in them. I am petite (5'2") so they are boys extra large with a poochy elaticized waist and tapered (and not in a cute slim-jeans way!). I have made several google forays to find a better pair (starting with the VS site since you said they were Moda) for some basic black, grey, brown or navy boot cut fleece pants in size XS or petite and haven't found them yet. Anyone, please help!

Kasmira said...

Michele - I ordered my last couple of pairs of fleece pants from REI (the REI brand pants) and really like them. You might check out their website.

Anonymous said...

I love your blog! I walk from garage to office daily, a 12-minute walk one way and I have to wear snow boots with yoga pants so I can tuck the pants inside the boots. It looks really silly in the office or teach in front of 200 students. Oh and I get really sweaty too. I may follow you and get some winter skirts. For polyester pants I may make one myself. Fleece is a really forgiving material.