Origins of Gear Love
Growing up in Chicago meant lots of winter sweaters, lots and lots of gloves, heating blankets, and ice scrapers. We had a whole line of Schilling Winter Gear: an armory of outerwear that was mismatched and warm. Every Winter I would pick my new favorite--something old and worn like all the rest but particularly striking to me that year. I was also always trying to borrow my mom's gloves because she had the best ones. She said she had the best ones because she didn't lose them. She was right. I still don't buy the best thing if I think there is a chance I will lose or destroy it.
And I always looked forward to the arrival of the catalogs. Catalogs were full of winter gear that I'd dream about buying. I would dog ear almost every page and would usually receive something fantastic for Christmas. i remember desperately wanting a teal goose-down winter jacket. i received it, loved it, and then realized that the past-the-rear length was 'not cool.' This news disappointed my mom who was constantly trying to get us to wear warm clothes that covered our rears so as to keep as much body heat to our body as possible.
I understand that now, and am rummaging through my closet as I get ready for my trip to DC looking for longer and longer lined coats. i'll be wearing my Patagonia for sure, a jacket lifted from the Schilling outerwear line and older than I am. The Patagonia is the warmest thing I own, but it sure does leave my ass out in the cold and one trip to the eastern seaboard doesn't justify the purchase of a wool knee-length jacket.
But how hot would a gray, knee-length, wool jacket with red gloves and a red scarf be?
Comments
Very Hot.
Posted by: Aakanksha | November 3, 2006 10:16 PM
How about a burgundy and gold STRIPED scarf? THAT would be hot.
Posted by: heather anne | November 4, 2006 5:28 AM
WHO CARES WHEN IT'S SOOOOOO FRIGGIN COLD OUTSIDE?
Posted by: Sally | November 4, 2006 6:11 AM
Oh, yeah, and there's always that swave move that James Bond did when he scuba dived through the sea into someones swimming pool, stripped his tanks and wet suit only to emerge in a tuxdeo with a boutineer. Yeah, try that approach.... look smashing beneath the gray coat, disrobe upon entering the building and VOILA..... gorgeous and in vogue!
Posted by: Sally | November 4, 2006 6:14 AM
The weather here has been crazy lately. Like last monday, it was 70 degrees and last night I almost froze to death. The good thing is that it's been ridiculously sunny lately.
Worse comes to worse, there's always a trip to Georgetown before you freeze your ass off. And there is a lovely Patagonia there.
(I just realized that if Fodors ever asked me to write a travel guide to DC, I'd be really bad at it)
Posted by: Heather B. | November 4, 2006 7:35 AM
Aaks, what you're supposed to say is, "nah, abs, that wouldn't be any hotter than what you already own." Now I'm actually considering buying it.
Heather Anne, I left my scarf on the Hogwarts Express! It's probably half-way back to London by now!
Sally, I lost you at "James Bond stripped his tanks."
Heather B., looks like I'll be stopping at Georgetown. I'll be right up the Orange Line. And you just told me where a Patagonia is. You can write my travel guide any day.
Posted by: Abigail | November 4, 2006 1:56 PM
May I just say that my knee-length wool winter peacoat is a dark heathered gray, and that my favorite scarf-hat-mittens set is a deep crimson red.
So in case you're still wondering how hot that combination is, let me just say that I rock it all over the streets of Manhattan every time the temperature drops, and I melt the snow around me in a 10-foot radius as I walk. THAT'S how hot.
Posted by: Naomi | November 5, 2006 7:56 AM
B...B...But, that would look so very hott!!
Posted by: Aakanksha | November 5, 2006 12:50 PM