Fashion in the Tundra

Last weekend, I went upstate, which may as well be Antartica to my wimpy, Miami-born blood. In Millbrook, when snow falls, it seemingly doesn’t melt until April — so you can forget those cute little leather boots.

Let’s face it — sometimes, it’s just too cold for fashion. Here’s how I coped.

Parka: Prada (Consignment) | Jeans: Madewell | Boots: Sorel | Hat: Free People | Sunglasses: Ray-Ban
Parka: Prada (Consignment) | Jeans: Madewell | Boots: Sorel | Hat: Free People | Sunglasses: Ray-Ban

Luckily, my hosts’ house came stocked with sartorial diversions. For one, there was a treasure chest stocked with oodles of dress-up costumes, from Snow White’s pinafore to Bozo’s wig.

A treasure trove of costumes.
A treasure trove of costumes.

I quickly draped myself in every dead animal carcass I could find, including these vintage mink stoles. Please note that the faces and claws are intact.

Me and a couple of minks.
Me and a couple of minks.

The basement was also filled with vintage Barbie dolls, which quickly became my subjects in a bizarre outerwear layering experiment. My favorite? The aquamarine fur hood on the far right — which easily could have been from Isaac Mizrahi’s Fall 1994 collection from Unzipped.

Barbie gets a makeover.
Barbie gets a makeover.

I had brought plenty of outfit changes and my make-up kit, but I didn’t bother unpacking any of it.

But that seems de rigueur once you leave Manhattan — I once saw Nina Garcia at a grocery store in Vermont, and homegirl was wearing sweats, Uggs and zero make-up. Proof the only accessories you need are a warm jacket and a bare face.

I only lasted an hour outside.
I only lasted an hour outside.

I have another snowy trip planned for this weekend — this time, to Vermont. How do you dress for frigid temperatures without losing your sartorial identity? Do you suffer frostbite for fashion? Or do you hibernate in a parka? Tell me about your tips!