Winter Duds

By Brianna

In which Brianna breaks down winter outerwear for snow newbies. 

Monkey’s daddy is a Marine, and his job moves us around quite a bit.  We’re both from New York (state) and used to playing outdoors all year.  However, the vast majority of Marines will spend most of their careers stationed in very warm climates, as most of their bases are in the American South, Southern California, or the South Pacific. Today, we live in Michigan.  To us the winters we have spent here are hardly different from what we experienced growing up.  Wind chill, lake effect, black ice, snow plows are all terms and realities we grew up with.  So when it came time to play with our little Monkey in the winter, we knew what she needed, because our parents had swathed us in similar attire.

This article is not for people like us.  In the military community, we have made friends with people who have never left the South before finding themselves and their children suddenly thrust into the cold arms of a Northern winter (and of course, civilian families might relocate for better jobs, too). It’s hardly Game of Thrones up here, but many states south of Virginia shut down in the face of more than an inch of snow or a day of ice.  People from these areas, you know who you are, and I, a native Northerner, am here to help you and your kids through this.  I know from experience that a drastically different climate can be a BIG adjustment!  My first summer in North Carolina was awful.  The air conditioner in our house stopped working, and the humidity gave me a headache that lasted over a week.  I thought I’d have to be scraped off the parking lot on my way into the grocery store.  Well fear not, my Southern friends, I will not let your children turn into popsicles!

Dress for the plan

​First, the clothes you and your kiddos will need to survive the cold will depend on what you’re doing outside.  Of course.  I'm only addressing outer layers in this article.  The assumption is that underneath the coats and sweaters, your child is wearing a typical t-shirt and jeans or other pants, unless otherwise specified.

Quick outing

​If you’re just running to the store, you don’t put your littles in the same gear they would need to go sledding.  So for errands that take you from your home, to your car, to someplace indoors, and back to your car and home again, you’ll need a good winter coat and maybe some light gloves or mittens.  It isn’t worth fighting your kids to get a hat on their heads when they’re only going to be exposed to the elements for a grand total of two minutes, but if they don’t mind a hat, it won’t hurt.

This is Monkey's winter coat. It's a 3-in-1 system, just like mine. I love that feature for anyone!

Knit gloves and mittens are so cheap and easy to come by. Get a lot, because your kid WILL lose them at school.

Walking in a winter wonderland

Monkey's winter boots. They are hefty.

This is a scarf that will do just fine.

​If we’re going for a walk in the cold, you’ll need to add a little more gear.  You will want boots with a good sole. Nice, deep treads that will grip the ground better than your winter tires.  There are loads of pretty boots out there for every age group that will not offer you much grip or safety on snow or ice.  Then you add your coat, some warm gloves, and a hat.  If you want a little more cushion around the neck or chest, add a scarf.  Scarves are also great for covering your face if it gets windy, or securing a hat that keeps flying away.

Serious fun in the snow

​Now if you’re ready to play in the snow, we need to bring out the good stuff.  The stuff that will make you understand the plight of poor Randy in A Christmas Story. SNOWSUITS! You can get a one-piece snowsuit that will cover you from head to toe.  Those are awesome, because there’s nowhere for snow to get in as you roll around in it.  BUT, you’ll still need a separate coat for everyday use.  So I recommend the full snowsuit if you plan on being out in the cold a LOT.  If not, do like we did and get bibs or snow pants.  Again, bibs are preferable, as they extend above the waist and protect more of the torso from snow than pants that stop at the waist.  Monkey’s bibs have straps that are very adjustable, and Velcro around the waist, both of which helped us get TWO winters of use out of this garment.  We just pop her in her bibs, pull on her coat and boots, and she is ready to go. If you can get your kid to wear a hat, I suggest one that has ear flaps for extra coverage.  Older kids and adults might prefer a ski mask or balaclava.  For playing in the snow, add shell gloves or mittens.  These are waterproof, insulated gloves that will keep you warm and dry much longer than the adorable knit gloves you can pick up for a couple bucks.  Bonus points if they have tiny carabiners to keep them together when not in use!

Monkey's shell mittens. Note the tiny carabiner!

How to cheat during your first winter

Now, all of this gear is a bit of an investment.  If you have a big family or a smaller budget for new clothes, transitioning to a cold climate can be a bit of a shock to your wallet.  I’m going to give you a couple tips to get through your first winter like a pro, without going broke.  Of course you can go to a thrift store or swoop through summer garage sales for gently used outdoor gear.  But you might be surprised how well you can manage with the things you already have in your closets.  To keep your legs warm when playing in the snow, slip a pair or two of leggings on under some jeans.  

I'm looking at you, hideous, blue, tie-dye LuLaRoe I won from Facebook. I swore I'd never wear you outside the house, but you are the ideal winter liner for my jeans!

I really do have this exact pair of leggings. Aren't they awful?

A good splurge is super warm socks.  Wool or technical socks are best, but even some thick cabin socks paired with sturdy rain or work boots will keep the cold at bay long enough to go for a walk or get a bit of sledding in.  If you don’t have a great winter coat, just start layering.  Put tech fabrics, like an athletic sweater, on close to your body; followed by a large hoodie; and top it with a waterproof jacket, such as a raincoat. It’ll keep the wet off.  Another small but important investment is a selection of warm scarves for the family.  Wide and long are good.  Acrylic, wool, and fleece are all fine.  Remember, your scarf is your neck warmer, your hat, your ski mask; so when you’re selecting a scarf, think versatile.

If your kids are getting into winter sports, you will need a lot more gear, and it will be a lot more specialized.  I won’t list it here, because your club or school will have a detailed list.  Generally, be prepared to shell out for special socks, helmets, or face masks, in addition to their sporting equipment.

Safety Note: The key to staying safe while having fun in the snow is to stay dry. This cannot be overstated. Dry means not wet from any cause, be it falling into puddles or sweating in your snow duds before going outside. For this reason, don't put on your kid's last layers until just before you go outside.

​Also, don't let anyone in your family wear bulky layers in the car. A puffy coat can render your child's car seat straps, in particular, nearly useless. This is not an exaggeration. My favorite resource for car seat safety is Car Seats for the Littles at http://csftl.org.

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Ariel’s Two Cents: My child is a nudist. The only things I would add, is that even the best outdoor gear is useless, if you a) can’t get it on your child or b) can’t get them to keep it on. For example, when it comes to dressing Bean I know now that I have to go with balaclavas and split mits. Balaclavas because she has an irrational hatred of hats. But for some reason a balaclava is acceptable. What?! Split mits are mittens that open up the back, either with velcro or a zipper. Split mits are incredibly easy to get on squirming toddlers because you have direct access to the thumb hole. They are not ideal though because any seams are ripe for snow infiltration. In the end reality wins, split mitts are the way to go for us because I can actually get them on her.

Let's formalize our obvious connection

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