By Ruhi Datar
As a first-year student, adjusting to the Cornell environment was difficult. Meeting new people, getting acquainted with dorm life, managing a new workload — all were no easy feat.
Yet — above all else — the biggest challenge for me proved to be the weather.
I have spent almost my entire life in the South, specifically in Atlanta, and while Atlanta isn’t known for its picture perfect weather, I can say one thing in absolute confidence: I will choose Atlanta winters over Ithaca winters any day of the week.
And I’ll admit, maybe I underestimated the true brutality of an Ithaca winter when it came time to pick the college of my choice, but moving to Ithaca came with a rude awakening — my home closet was no longer going to cut it.
This really upset me, especially as someone who loves to dress up and play around with different styles of clothes. I wanted to be able to show off my personal flair while still staying considerably toasty. In order to stay warm, I realized I would have to completely revamp my wardrobe.
As my first Ithaca winter comes to an end, through trials and tribulations, I have compiled a list of tips and tricks to maintain your own personal sense of style even in the blistering cold.
1. Layering: The word “layering” gets thrown around a lot when talking about winter fashion, but I still firmly believe that it is an undervalued trick. The reality is, layering is one of the best ways to stay warm while maintaining your style. The trick is to wear lightweight, yet warm clothing underneath your regular outfits. For example, you can wear leggings under your jeans or thermal tops under your shirts, adding warmth without the bulk. I’ve bought some of my favorite thermals from Costco and Uniqlo (both great options under $20!). The best part? You still get to wear all the clothes you love.
2. Warmer Fabrics: In the world of Ithaca winters, not all fabrics are created equal. Thicker fabrics such as wool and fleece are your best friends. I’ve found that investing in these materials for base layers makes a huge difference in terms of warmth and comfort. This way, you don’t have to sacrifice comfort for style when you focus on fabrics that keep you warm.
3. Sweaters: I have found sweaters to be the ultimate necessity during my time in ithaca. They are cute, can be dressed up and make you feel and look put together, all while staying bundled up. And you don’t have to dish out a lot of money on sweaters either — a lot, if not all, of my favorite sweaters have been thrifted or found on Depop. Plus, the variety of textures, colors and fits makes sweaters an easy way to add personality to any look. Whether you go for a chunky knit, a classic cardigan, or a sleek turtleneck, a good sweater is a winter wardrobe staple.
4. Scarves: Scarves serve two essential functions: they provide an extra layer of warmth and allow you to accessorize your outfit; you can use them to bundle up for a freezing walk to class while still making your look pop, making a scarf an easy and effective accessory. My personal favorite way to style a scarf is to tie it into a hood, so that it can double as a hat as well; Over time, I’ve been able to build up quite the collection by thrifting, browsing Depop and even picking up a scarf at Cornell’s annual Dump & Run program before move-in day.
5. Jewelry: Jewelry has always been my favorite part of any outfit. I’ve always had a fascination with how a carefully chosen piece can transform a look. Since I was little, I would watch my mom choose what earrings or necklace she would wear as complements to her outfit for the day, and I’ve carried that same sense of attention to detail with me. I’ve become an avid collector; I love hunting for unique items wherever I travel — whether it's finding rings in the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul or vintage earrings at a flea market in Chelsea, I love bringing back a piece of fun jewelry to elevate my outfits. On days that you don’t feel like putting much effort into your outfit, you can always use your favorite necklaces, bracelets and earrings to give your look an upgrade.
Ruhi Datar / Sun Lifestyle Contributor
6. Headwear: We all know that winter hats are, for lack of a better word, awful. They leave your hair looking messy, never add anything to the outfit and are often just straight up ugly. I’ve yet to find a winter hat that works for me. However, to keep my ears comfy and toasty, I’ve put my trust into earmuffs and balaclavas. Balaclavas are a knitted hood, and I’ve found that they help make any outfit more chic; you can find a lot of cute ones on Etsy, and recently, I’ve been eyeing the Bala Bonnet from Free People.
7. Winter-Friendly Skirts: You don’t have to say goodbye to skirts just because it's cold. I’ve found that midi and maxi skirts, when paired with thermal tights, make for a stylish, yet warm alternative to pants. Try wearing a skirt with a thicker, warmer shirt. Again, the key is choosing the right fabrics — thick cotton or wool blends — and layering effectively to keep the chill out.
Ruhi Datar is a first-year in the College of Arts and Sciences. She can be reached at rrd56@cornell.edu.
