When I was in high school, bulky coats were totally uncool. If the morning temperatures where anywhere above -10 degrees Fahrenheit, you would nonchalantly saunter out of the house in a scant North Face or college sweatshirt, much to your mother’s dismay. Feeling the cold? Not a chance. Only mortals feel the cold. And, as everyone knows, high school students are invincible, frostbite-proof beings.
But when you get to college, something happens. Your first South Bend winter hits and, much like baby Hercules in the excellent 1997 Disney movie, you lose your immortal glow. Suddenly, the wind brings tears to your eyes. Your bones have turned to ice somewhere during the walk between CoMo and Jordan. Try as you might, you cannot return to the Olympus of your high school invincibility.
You, the Notre Dame collegiette, decide it is time to suit up for battle. And so you invest in the ultimate knee-length, down-filled, hooded, pocketed, zippered armor: the College Parka.
But now you have another problem. How’s a girl to stand out in a crowd while essentially swaddled in a wearable quilt? But never fear! One need not sacrifice her individuality to the frigid winter. Even if you feel like a sad, cold penguin most of the time, you don’t have to look like one.
Color
Inject a little life into the drab gray landscape by opting for a coat in your favorite color. Sure, black goes with everything, but sometimes you need excitement in your life. Make a statement with classic red, sunny yellow, or spunky pink.
I like this cobalt blue because it’s just bright enough to catch the eye, but still isn’t too over the top.
Light colors and neutrals can be just as unexpected, as long as you’re prepared for the possible dirt factor of a white coat. Are you a snow angel or a college student? No one can tell the difference.
Footwear
If there’s a lesson to be learned from Notre Dame’s snow removal service, its this: Traction above everything. Traction is your new best friend.
There’s no way you’re going to be late to class while wearing these puppies. Your toes will be toasty and you can probably even kick down a door or two. If necessary.
Not only are these boots absolutely, impenetrably slush-proof… you score bonus points for adding color (like we talked about earlier)! PSA: Rubber boots are not super good at insulation, so if you’re clambering through a bunch of snow banks and you want to avoid Icicle Toe Syndrome, boot socks are a great way to go.
Accessories
Some of you may be like me, which means that your meal plan composes most of the money to your name. Fun accessories are the perfect complement to your Baller on a Budget lifestyle. Throw on some cute mittens, shield your luscious locks with a patterned hat, grab your favorite knit scarf, and you’re all set to go.
Plaid scarves are as classic as it gets, but I’ve been seeing a special resurgence of them lately.
The more obnoxious the pom pom, the better.
Now you’re warm, you’re happy, and maybe (just maybe), you’re starting to enjoy winter again.
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