Layering: The key to comfort and sophistication this winter

Kidnapped by Style: Dress like your inner rock star, and bring on the clash

Today, I clash. With my pants patterned subtly plaid, shirt pressed with opposing stripes, suit jacket suitably unsuitably matched, I am a body carrying an array of textures in seemingly gross disharmony when described. But the actual phenomenon is not gross disharmony, but desirable disharmony that comes off as potentially over-the-top, but tasteful. This is how I might describe myself: at times crass, but never classless. Sometimes, it's okay to clash.

Kidnapped by Style: Novelty boxers: The forgotten layer that can be hot or...not

This week, I present a list I've created. It begins with stripes and solids, flowers and dots, plain and plaid, then moves to penguins and polar bears, darts, dartboards, and dogs, and finally, "How the Grinch Stole Christmas." The patterns can be camouflaged or even glow-in-the-dark. Many patterns may be commonly seen on a wide variety of clothing, from button-downs to waffle tees. For some, the list can go on to include smiley faces and "witty" sayings like, "Hold It Up High," "Wanna Pet My Monkey?" and "I Am The King!" When the list moves on to these other, more imaginative elements, there can be no doubt as to what the list catalogues: men's underwear. More specifically, boxers.

Kidnapped by Style

Layering: The key to comfort and sophistication this winter

December 5, 2008

For some reason, the weather has been pretty good since returning from break. Having come back to a snowy, watery, slushy campus in the past, I expect the worst of Maine weather. Recently, however, I have been pleasantly surprised by temperatures reaching well into the 40s. So much for Bowdoin and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Season. But the weather forecast seems to think that this shift toward uncomfortable will occur sometime in the next few days, and what that forecast means besides the crippling realization that warmth will not come back until May (and the ensuing Seasonal Affective Disorder), is that wardrobes will shift from light summer/autumn clothes to heavier winter clothing.

For some great reason, I'm sure, evolution has left human beings with cold-protection somewhat akin to that of a Sphinx cat (look them up and tell me this is not a disadvantaged breed). For this reason, we must turn toward donning clothing that keeps the warmth on (an option, I might add, that Sphinx cats lack). The topic of this week's column is layering. The short of it? You should do it. That's the lesson. You can stop reading if you want.

But for those still reading, I will now go from layer to layer, moving from innermost to outermost, considering as many possibilities as I can think of and offering the best advice I can give?that is to say, probably not that great, but I would get an "A" for effort. This is the "practical" section of the column?more list than opinion. The "style" section is to follow. So here we go, with the topics bolded for proper emphasis:

Underwear: Not going to say much on this topic, but I'll note that, at least for me, keeping things close seems to make things less drafty... Take that as you will.

Socks: A nice pair of warm socks can go a long way toward keeping your feet unfrozen in the winter.

Long Underwear: Something I didn't really consider a necessity before coming to Bowdoin. Now I know better. It's uncomfortable, but sometimes necessary. If you don't have much (or any) long underwear, pajamas make for a pretty good stand-in underneath pants.

Undershirts (and the like): Short, long, thermal, whatever an undershirt is indispensable to winter warmth.

Shirts: I use this category to define any shirt more presentable than undershirts. Broad, I know.

Vests: I put this layer here because it can either be the final layer before an overcoat (a thinner dress vest) or it can be the final layer of warmth (down vest).

Sweaters/Sweatshirts: Sweaters are my favorite aspect of cold-weather wear. In fact, many who know me will say that I have a sweater "problem." Sweaters of the zip-up or button-up varieties can fill-in for jackets in some cases. Bowdoin students like sweatshirts, too.

Blazers/Sport Coats/Pea Coats/Wool Coats: Not all the same, but can be used for the same purpose: stylish warmth. Usually, a pea coat will be the outermost layer, while with the other two can be covered yet again.

Overcoats/Ski Jackets/Down Jackets/etc.: Usually the final layer of protection. Overcoats are dressier while ski jackets/down jackets are less so.

Gloves/Scarf/Hat: Don't forget these at home! The hands are the first to go at Bowdoin.

The greatest part about winter is the ability to combine so many different types of clothing into a single outfit. Counting each of these items as one category, and using my withering knowledge of mathematics, my online permutation calculator tells me that there should be around 200 combinations of clothing present here, not accounting for the fact that a person may own (and probably does own) multiple iterations of each category of item. We all know the common combinations in and around Bowdoin: sweaters and button up shirts beneath pea coats, sweatshirts, ski jackets, etc.

To me, the outfits that display the most care intentionally highlight the layers beneath. While pullover sweatshirts are warm, they flatten the outfit, covering up all the layers beneath. A zip-up sweatshirt may reveal one more layer below, allowing the chance for something beneath, perhaps a kitschy printed tee. Using a V-neck undershirt beneath a button up shirt or sweater keeps it hidden, and though finding a matching crew-neck undershirt requires more effort, the sophisticated effect is often worth the extra work. Try to find an outfit that highlights each layer worn: it's a challenge.

But it's that challenge?the challenge of clothing?that separates us from even our closest comrade in winter suffering, the Sphinx cat. When all else fails, perhaps we can take a cue from our fellow winter victims: cuddle up close to the warmth of someone else, and wait for spring to return again.

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