I’m spent most of my life in the “Sunshine State” that is Florida. The weather drops a few degrees and out come the knitted sweaters and hoodies. When I made plans to travel to Chicago with two of my friends, I had no clue what I was really signing up for.
The Windy City is no joke people. It may be cold, but i’ve heard the wind also cuts through you like a knife. I’ve never seen snow, so when I heard that the chances of it snowing during my visit were high I knew I would need to find gloves. Mistake #1: I didn’t pack gloves.
The days leading up to my trip were spent driving to every Goodwill, thrift shop, and consignment store near me. I wasn’t about to drop heavy cash on clothes for this one trip. I gathered all the sweaters I already had, and even lucked out on finding some second hand pieces for low prices.
When it came to a coat, Marshall’s was my godsend. Keep in mind I was shopping more for aesthetic rather than actual warmth. Oops: Mistake #2. I ended up buying a Vince Camuto trench coat better suited for rain than cold but hear me out: the older women working the fitting rooms said the coat would come in handy for rain, snow, and wind, so it’s somewhat of a win-win. I can definitely wear the coat back home in Florida. As long as I layer with my sweaters, I think I’ll survive the Chicago weather.
Other essentials I packed are a scarf, a beanie, booties, and jeans. My jeans may be ripped but my outfits will be A1. Mistake #3? Oh well, let’s just hope I don’t come back with hypothermia. Here’s to adventure no matter the lack of preparation!
HCXOXO,
Vanessa Rivera