What You Need to Survive Winter Wonderland
By: Veronica Randolph
@okkronn
Living in Colorado can be nothing but magical, that is, until you notice your skin is peeling, your lips are chapped and you’ve been wearing sweatpants for a week. Living in Colorado during the winter months means you have to have a solid survival guide. We are going to dive into what the top must-haves to keep you looking and feeling gorgeous in the Mile High City during the winter season.
Once you’ve woken up in the morning and you’re finished brushing your teeth and cleansing your skin from the night before, it’s time to moisturize. My all time favorite moisturizer is none other than Cetaphil. This facial moisturizer provides all-day hydration without the greasy, pore-clogging annoyance of other drug store skin care lines. I love Cetaphil because winter can be brutal for your skin, this product gives a fresh, dewy look without any makeup. Cetaphil provides a flattering shine to the face, I don’t deal with my makeup flaking throughout the day. The Cetaphil line is dermatologist tested, it is safe and gentle for the skin. It is also non-comedogenic, if you find your skin to be problematic, this moisturizer does very well with acne and oily skin.
The next step to achieve the perfect morning in Denver is a cup of coffee. Throughout Colorado there are are so many hidden coffee shop gems, and today I want to talk about one in particular.
Sonder Coffee & Tea is known for their gorgeous aesthetics and creative interior design. Located right on the outskirts of Denver, Sonder has a wide range of drinks and little nibbles. This past winter season, Sonder introduced a new drink to the menu called The Snowfall Spice. This is not your everyday chai latte, you can expect to taste beautiful notes of simmered pears and ginger. The Snowfall Spice is finally finished with a sweet cardamom cream. Not a chai fan? Sonder also specializes in cold brew coffee, tea and kombucha. Whatever drink you need to get your day going, Sonder is there to give you the kick-start you need.
Once you’ve got your coffee fix, it is time to talk about some fashion non-negotiables.
Over the years I have finally narrowed down my favorite winter items that should be in every woman’s closet. First and foremost, every woman needs a basic pair of black winter boots. In Colorado, you never know what the weather will look like during winter. Whether it’s rain or shine my Doc Martens are the perfect match for whatever weather patterns are thrown at me. I love my Doc Martens because these shoes truly are versatile, you can wear these boots during summer with a mini dress or during the winter with your favorite jeans and a distressed denim jacket. My color of choice for Doc Martens will always be black, however, they do come in many different colors and styles. Although Doc Martens are not completely waterproof, they are very comfortable and offer great support and stability in harsh weather conditions.
Once you’ve picked out which pair of shoes you’re going to wear, it’s time to pick out the rest of your outfit. Let’s chat about another basic essential, the black turtleneck. Yes, we all have seen the throwback picture of Dwayne Johnson in a black turtleneck, I can promise you will look a million times cuter, not that The Rock isn’t already cute.
A black turtle can make any outfit classy, comfortable and trend-setting. My favorite place to get a turtleneck is any thrift store, they will usually range anywhere from three to five dollars. Turtlenecks can be worn casually with a basic pair of jeans, booties and paired with a jacket or dressed up with high heels and a skirt for a date night.
Below is an example from Shein of how one simple piece of clothing can make such a beautiful and bold statement.
Next is another winter trend that I have seen so much recently, this outfit idea is for when you’re either sick, running late or all of the above.
Sweat pants and trench coats are a perfect lazy day combination for the winter time. If you are looking for comfort over style then this may be just the fashion avenue that you want to go down, but do not fret because you don’t have to compromise if you don’t want too. Celebrities like Kim Kardashion West, Camila Cabello and Zendaya have caught on to this new street style fashion trend and have rocked it.
I hope you’ve found some of these tips and tricks useful. Winter doesn’t have to be brutal anymore. Winter is a time for celebrating your favorite holiday traditions, changing up hair colors and enjoying delicious, wintery treats.
This season, discover all winter has to offer here in Denver. Show us all of your new winter fashions and favorite finds by using the hashtag #FashionDenverDiscover! We can’t wait to see what treasures are hidden in this winter wonderland called Colorado.