Cold Weather Attire: Frugal Style

It is supposed to get down to 15 degrees F here in the Deep South. That may make Mainers, Minnesotans, and Canadians et al roll their eyes in derision. But it's not the cold (only), it's the precipitation. It's the threat of a thin sheet of ice on bridges and roadways that accounts for the all the closings.

I post now and again about what I'm wearing in my cold house. I have 12 foot ceilings and big windows, so even running the ceiling fans backwards doesn't do all that much. I also posted recently about sending Miss Em's friend Mr C off to Serbia in December with a puffy down jacket, acquired by yours truly for a mere $5.00.

Right now I'm wearing the neatest pants. I hardly ever succumb to things in thrift stores because the label is interesting, but these were irresistible. They are ski pants, with stirrups (natch) and all sorts of zipper compartments. For some reason, ski pants are a common sight in Goodwill in Louisiana. I am not a skier--and, since I'm the opposite of sportive, I am unlikely ever to go skiing. These pants, however, are WOOL (my fave fabric), not the puffy synthetics of today. The label says "Herford Original" "Made in Western Germany for [drumroll] SAKS FIFTH AVENUE."

There have been many blog discussions of late lamenting the quality of clothing, especially in the women's department. Everyone agrees that store labels are no longer a guarantee of quality. Not all wool is created equal.

However, older labels can be an indicator of quality. These pants are--at their youngest--almost 30 years old. The print on the label looks older than that to me. SAKS is, of course, a luxe department store. And WESTERN GERMANY was known for the high quality of its consumer goods. (Perhaps that is still true of the united Germany? ) I doubt that many--or any--of my Goodwill competitors would have been interested in these. But I was also helped by the fact that I found them last summer.

My whole outfit was bought last summer: in addition to my ski pants, I am wearing a down vest topped with a Patagonia fleece jacket. I feel quite chic.

If you anticipate EVER needing something for cold weather in thrift stores, look OUT OF SEASON. It's too late now.