If you’re anything like me, you find yourself fluctuating through the four seasons faster than Frankie Valli on speed. That means I need my wardrobe to keep up with my schedule and accommodate any kind of weather within a suitcase switch notice! I may not be a snowbird, but I do need to prepare like one.

This is the tried’n’true list of staple items I MUST have handy for flying or driving cross country on a whim, and effectively removes the stress and hassle of buying additional items once you reach your destination.
As I’ve heard said, it’s the 5-P rule:
Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance.
There is nothing less convenient than getting up at the crack of dawn after little sleep to catch a plane and arrive to 40*F cooler weather and be bombarded by freezing rain pellets (this happened to me last Sunday, I kid you not). Preparation, preparation, preparation!

Without further ado! Snowbird style swapping through my fave picks:

1. The Russian Winter faux-fur coat
 Believe me when I say this coat is a STEAL! I confess I am a copy cat who actually saw this on a friend, tried it on, and KNEW I had my winter coat replacement for the old one (that was falling apart and truthfully not very wind-hardy) once that gorgeous burgundy fluff enveloped my neck and shoulders. It is warm without being suffocating. It is plushy comfort without being annoyingly floofy. It has deep pockets to fully hold my giant LG android phone in perfect coverage and still throw my wallet in too. The oversized hood is perfectly created to block out wind/rain/snow that might blow your way, and I don’t see how I can have another sad day in NYC after this win. It did throw me off initially to see the small box it came in, but worry not shoppers — the coat “inflates” similarly to a memory foam mattress and breathes in its own time (a day or so). If I ever planned on a full winter up north again rather than just my short visits, I’d possibly get a second version in one of the other offered colors as a backup coat. It even works perfectly with the hood thrown up on the plane as a “sleep mask” of sorts without the eyeball pain, and I know because as far as airplane naps go, this was gloriously enveloping. RIGHT. ON. If you’re a snowbird especially, I highly recommend this as you’ll get certain use out of it.

2. Long-Johns, aka “thermal underwear”

Go ahead and laugh, but this is serious. I am not officially diagnosed, but basically anyone who’s touched my un-gloved hands in under 70* weather can testify that I likely have Raynaud’s syndrome. Even on a good day in Florida, if the sun hides behind the clouds and isn’t blasting me directly as a recipient, or if someone has their air conditioner set at 68*F on high, I wither up like a sad frozen raisin. It’s absolutely important for me then to keep my body appropriately covered for all situations, and I find that light layers does the trick.
Generally speaking, thermal sets are not wholly different animals for men and women, but sometimes the slight anatomy differences will cater to the respective figures of men versus women. I own a few pair made of different materials from cotton/polyester blends to microfiber, and sometimes I prefer one over the other depending on just how cold it is, or what I’m layering them under.
*Side note: on occasion, I have actually worn these around the home when lounging or working at my desk with nothing else on (if I wasn’t going anywhere) because they’re somehow more comfortable than my actual pajamas.

I like that in addition to offering different sizes, this company also gives you the option of picking what color thermals you’d like to rock. Extra cool kid points for making something as utility as Long Johns seem a little more stylish!

Now, just because our male counterparts tend to run warmer doesn’t mean they won’t feel the windchill on a breezy winter night or on a cool fall camping trip! That brings us to the specially made set for males, same brand, but the sets are anatomically structured to accommodate the physique appropriately:

You cannot go wrong in layers, and there’s nothing worse than packing an inadequate wardrobe for travel during the fall-winter season or out on a ski trip and freezing your ass off. Multi-use? Check! Array of sizes and colors? Check! Breathable and yet insulating? Double check!

3. Touch-sensitive Gloves

Back to the mention of my Raynaud’s, my hands and feet without doubt are the epitome of frostbite (minus the gangrene and amputation of course). Keeping what heat I do produce locked is in vital to my comfort and level of bitchiness (because let’s face it — who enjoys freezing their ‘nads off?). Having gloves that not only keep me warm but are structured to allow me to utilize my phone for everything from sending  text to checking directions on Google maps is crucial. No pain in the rear like being all nice and warm and then having to take off your gloves in the whipping wind just to pick up the phone when Aunt Susie calls to say hello. Presto! Sensory gloves made to keep you warm AND not block your fingertips from handling business. Not all made equal, and the main issue as a vegan is finding a pair that is cruelty-free, i.e. neither made of leather (aka stolen murdered cow skin) nor wool (if you haven’t realized the atrocities of the wool industry, you haven’t been paying attention).
Al fin! A pair that is moderately warm without making you feel claustrophobic, are touch-screen sensitive, and made from “Imported 100% Acrylic”.

 

There are even MORE colors and styles available than what I’ve shown here (I’m a burgundy fan, if you couldn’t already tell), so to each his own.

For all those who travel as much as I do, you know as well as I what an odd year 2018 has been thus far with our weather; it’s been a dragging winter with back and forth freezes, chills, “northeasterly winds” crap and I for one am sick of being cold when it REALLY ought to be a beautiful balmy-spring into early summer situation. Thank god for first world luxuries and specialized wardrobe to make climate adjustment travel a little smoother and easier.

That being said, there is my shortlist. Whether you are an occasional traveler or a regular snowbird out there you can’t go wrong being prepared…
Stay safe, warm, and happy journey!