Heart and Habit

After a few winter seasons, a few meaning many many (born and bred Canadians) I think we have the winter attire pretty much down. It took me a while, but like everything else (perfectionism at it’s best) I seemed to have developed a system, a list of our idea of the best items to buy, a plan to get the most out of every item and hopefully a way to make handing down to siblings possible. Our Idea of a Perfect Kids’ Cold Weather Winter Outfit:

1 . A Really Great Winter Coat – A few tips to keep in mind when shopping for your kids winter coat…

• Go for a timeless, unisex style that is a little longer, like a parka – keep that butt warm even when they aren’t wearing snow pants (since they put their butts down anywhere, puddles included).
• Choose a color that hides dirt well, will match everything they wear, and possibly be unisex – so handing down to a sibling or friend is always in the cards.
• Buy it a full size too big (roll sleeves up if you need) – it will either fit perfect by the end of the winter, or be wearable for next year as well.
• Make sure there is room to grow a little bit (also makes room for thick socks, if you so please), but not clod hopper big.
• Get a really warm coat, down filled is always a great choice – it’s worth spending a bit more dough since they will wear it every day for like 5 months? (oh god, 5 whole MONTHS!?)
• Good Unisex Options: Olive Parka or Navy Parka (25% off with code STYLETREAT)

2. Stock Up On Mittens – Mittens get lost faster than a blink of an eye, make sure you start the season with a few too many – you’ll probably end the season with one full pair (if you’re lucky).

• Grab a bunch of cheapo mittens and gloves from the dollarstore or Target. These are great for back-ups, layering and wearing on crisp pre-winter or pre-spring days. Fun ‘fashion’ knit mitts also fall into my back-up category, great to have but not the best for everyday keeping warm, wear.
• Get at least one good cold weather mitten, for those days they think they don’t need them – you know the kind.
• We now go for one really great pair of winter snow mittens AND a pair of ski gloves, because they lose everything (obviously) and since they are a little older mittens are great but sometimes gloves are better.
• Keep the color on the darker side, unless you don’t mind doing laundry allll the time.
• Good Back-up Mittens:  fun knits and boys mitts and girls mitts – Really Good Cold (not freezing) Mittens: convertible solid colors  or faux sherpa or convertible prints – Some Good Freezing Weather Mittens: blue or pink or black winter mitts

3. Really REALLY Warm Winter Boots – As they get older they spend more time outdoors, out of the stroller (out of that warm stroller bubble) – so spending the extra coin on really good winter boots (like you would when shopping for yourself) is pretty important.

• Go for a timeless unisex style – If they don’t wear it out, it would be pretty great to hand them down to a sibling/friend.
• Neutral-ish colors, but not necessarily a must.  I tend to buy the kids neutral boots, so they pair effortlessly with any bottoms their little hearts desire.
• Great Winter Boots: camel brown, black, light purple or navy and a great option if your winters are more wet and cold then freezing and icy: native boots

4. Hats, Hats and Even More Hats – You can never have enough!

• Make sure you have hats to cover the gambit of winter weather, ear covering, fleece or fleece lined, lightweight, hey why not just go balaclava style.
• The plus is, their head doesn’t grow as fast as their bodies, so hats will fit for a many seasons (after the baby stage) – and there will come a time when their hats also fit you!
• Fun Hat Options: leopard, fur trapper hat, fairisle hat,

5. Skip The Scarf, Do The Snood – Okay, I’m lying a little. Like mittens and hats, it’s good to have at least 2 choices for neck wear.

• A basic scarf, not too long is good for everyday use.
• A comfy snood, is ideal for everyday keeps the neck warm and looks like a funky scarf so can be left on all day to beat the chill.
• Great Snood: breathable and warm

6. Not In The Picture, But Oh So Important – Before you ask, cause I know you’re thinking it. Snow pants are number 6, part of the perfect winter wear – they just didn’t fit well into the picture, please forgive my perfectionism!

• This is where you can get fun and funky, let them choose their favorite color or pattern. These usually don’t get worn as often (fingers crossed) and since everything else is neutral, it’s a great time to have at it.
• Go for a thicker fabric, not a thinner satin style nylon – kids are rough, a hole or two in the knees or bum is inevitable when the fabric isn’t thick.
• Since you bought a really great and maybe more expensive than you would have liked coat, it’s okay to get a more budget friendly pair of snow pants – these often don’t last past the season, and don’t get worn every-single-day like the coat.
• Every Year I Buy These: ski pants

Do you have anything else to add?