How to Dress for a Michigan Winter

Cold weather brings to mind pictures of snowflakes drifting gently from the sky, skiers sliding down snow-covered mountains, and quiet nights inside by the fireplace. Winter activities require a winter wardrobe to keep you warm and dry- and fashionable. Here are some tips for dressing for success during a Michigan winter.

1. Layer your clothing. While it’s cold outdoors, it can be warm inside. Wearing a fleece, sweater, or blazer that you can easily remove inside will help you adjust to whatever temperature you find indoors.

2. Spray your shoes and boots with a waterproof treatment to help keep snow and water out. Wipe down footwear immediately if you are walking through salted sidewalks or driveways, to prevent salt stains on your shoes.

3. If you only buy one coat, choose a classic that will keep you warm and will work with every occasion. A three-quarter length wool coat in either black or brown, depending on what color you wear more of, can be dressed up or down depending on the situation. If you want to build your coat wardrobe, a sport jacket is a wise purchase. Choose one with layers; many coats can be worn multiple ways- as a lighter jacket, two layers for a warmer coat, and some sleeves zip off to make the jacket into a vest.

4. A bright scarf will help keep you warm, and also adds a punch of color to your outfit. If you forgot to wear a hat, you can wrap your scarf around your head (this also works well for women who want to prevent “hat hair,”).

5. Choose your gloves based on your activity. A pair of leather gloves lined with wool or a synthetic fabric are a good glove for driving. Mittens will keep your hands extra warm while walking outdoors, and mittens that fold in half to reveal your fingers make it easy to text and use a cell phone.

6. Keep a selection of shoes at work or in your car. Wearing a pair of sturdy walking shoes or boots into work, as opposed to heels or dress shoes, will keep your feet warm and prevent your dress shoes from getting wet. Slip into your nice shoes once you get to your desk.

7. Look for boots with style- many top designers make galoshes and winter boots that look just as great trekking down the driveway of your Ann Arbor home to get the mail as they do walking around downtown.

Dressing for winter weather gives you the opportunity to play with textures, colors, and layers of clothing. Just because it’s cold outside doesn’t mean you have to be cold. Wear layers for warmth, punch up an outfit with classy accessories like a nice scarf and boots, and enjoy Michigan’s winter wonderland.


Photo courtesy Flickr: fotowski

Belleville Van Buren Twp home for lease - 13374 Barnwell

Country Walk Subdivision
Large 4-Bedroom 2-1/2 Bath home for lease! Great Detached Condo (comes with lawncare & snow removal!) has expansive Great Room w/Fireplace open to Dining Area, gorgeous Kitchen & sunny BreakfastRm, Large Pantry, Study and Family Room. Master Suite has large walk-in closet and Master Bath w/Jetted Tub, separate shower & dual sinks. 2nd Flr laundry. Seller will construct back landing & steps w/signed lease. All Appliances stay. The association does lawncare, snow removal, and maintenance of commons areas for comfortable living! Walking trail, ponds & wooded areas. Near Belleville Lake & Huron Metropark with Waterpark, 3-par golfing, canoeing, kayaking, fishing & more.
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Ypsilanti real estate for sale 943 Davis - Updated and Gorgeous!

Sturtevant Manor Subdivision - Single Family Home for Sale!
3 Bedrooms, 2 Baths, Part-Finished Basement

BEAUTIFULLY RENOVATED HOME! Spacious, light-filled Living Room has Gleaming Hardwood Floors, Recessed Lighting, Picture Window. Large, Open Kitchen & Dining has a sit-down island and loads of cabinetry. Hardwood Floors & trim, New 6-panel doors & closet doors, & great windows throughout home. Clean, Modern Feel. Updated 1st floor bath has new light fixtures, mirror & open space. Full Basement is Part-Finished with a Family/Rec Room, Bath & Storage. Large 2-Tiered Deck and Landscaped, Fenced Yard. Call now!
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Affordable Ypsilanti real estate for sale - 1227 Candlewood

Washtenaw Concourse Sub - Affordable 3-Bedroom Home

This Short Sale is Priced Right for Buyers & Investors! 3 Bedrooms, 1 Full Bath, and eat-in Kitchen. This home is ready for your finishing touches.

Wonderful Yard is low-maintenance, fenced all around for pets or kids, and has a raised garden bed & garden areas. Just around the corner, enjoy Wendell Holmes Park & Rambling Road Park with New Play Structures. Depot Town, Island Park & Riverside Park are just down the road with festivals, shopping & entertainment. Nearby I-94 Freeway Access & Michigan Ave for commuting. Ypsilanti Schools: George, East Middle, and Ypsilanti High School. Ypsilanti Township taxes.
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Ann Arbor home for lease - 118 Glendale - Walk Downtown!

Grandview Subdivision - walk to Vets Park and Downtown Ann Arbor!

2 Bedroom single-story duplex for lease.

#118 faces the backyard for privacy. Eat-in Kitchen, open Living/Dining Room. Enjoy the patio and great yard outside. Walk or bike to Miller Park, Virginial Park, and Vets Park: picnic, sled, swim, play baseball; indoors you can ice skate or use the gym. Walk to Haisley Elementary and Slauson Middle School; Pioneer High School, and new Skyline High for Class of 2009+. Stadium Road shopping, downtown Ann Arbor is nearby for entertainment, shopping and employment. Freeway access to I-94, US-23 & M-14 nearby also. Neighborhood living at a great price! Click here to see all Ann Arbor Homes for Lease.

Ypsilanti and EMU real estate for sale - 447 Anna

By Normal Heights & Park Subdivisions - Walk to EMU!

Single Family Home or Student Home for sale

447 Anna has 2-3 bedrooms, 2 full baths, fabulous finished lower level.

Outstanding light-filled home on a pretty, tree-lined yard by EMU, College Heights neighborhood & Normal Park. Gleaming hardwood floors, large windows with great views, spacious living room flows into the dining area. The Sunroom overlooks a fabulous yard & private views. Spacious bedrooms. Full finished basement--large family room has fireplace w/stone mantle, office areas/potential 3rd bedroom. 06-07 updates: oven&hood, kitchen floor, hwh & landscaping. Great deal on short sale. Walk to emu, schools, parks. 1 Block to EMU Central Campus & Stadiums! Near St. Joes, University of Michigan hospitals and campus. Close to I-94, US-23 & Michigan Avenue. Ypsilanti school district: Estabrook Elementary, West Middle and Ypsilanti High School are all walking or biking distance. City of Ypsilanti taxes.
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New listing in Ford Lake Village Subdivision -
Single Family Home for sale
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Fabulous short sale pricing on this wonderful home! Attractive, well-maintained home with open flowing floorplan, vaulted ceilings & skylights in great room, spacious family room w/skylights. Master suite, 2-brs & shared bath + a loft upstairs. 1st floor laundry. Finished lower level (plumbed for full bath) is great rec room and office area. Neutral decor throughout. Nicely landscaped lot by neighborhood park & walking paths. Walk to heritage park & ford lake! Lincoln school district, lower Ypsilanti Township taxes. Convenient to I-94. Walk to nearby Ford Lake, Ford Heritage Park, Ford Lake Park, and Eagle Crest Golf Club. Just a few minutes to downtown Ypsilanti, Belleville and Ann Arbor.
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