Wink at Old Man Winter!

He’s here already! We’re not buying the “experts” that say the first day of winter is December 21, 2010.

A quick look at a weather map will look pretty enough with its blue and purple hues spread across our great nation.  Still, look at the corresponding temperatures and you’re sure to shiver, even if you’re sporting a Softwear with Stretch top and legging under your pantaloons, inside, under an electric blanket.

Usual suspects such as Buffalo, Milwaukee and Chicago already have received the joy of their first big snowfall, but now even those Southern hotspots where we usually migrate for at least a winter weekend are learning to successfully pair their car’s defroster with a windshield scraper. This week, it dropped below freezing from the Northeast all the way down to North Florida!

But with this chilly weather comes unexpected fun. Hey, it’s not every day you can build a snowman with your kids, and let’s not forget about that fire pit in the backyard that toasts marshmallows to perfection.

We know it’s not easy to look cool when you can’t feel your teeth or tell if your nose is running, but it is possible. Try coupling tweed winter shorts with a Softwear with Stretch legging when you’re grabbing hot chocolate with friends.  Add a knee-length coat, insulated boots (at least for the commute and car cleaning!) with a faux fur trim, a cute winter hat with ear flaps, some mittens and a smile.  You’ll stay warm, look hot and feel like a kid again – actually enjoying the cold a bit!