totchipanda | (no subject)

I am a cranky mccrankypants tonight with a migraine hangover and a bad attitude, so I'm avoiding my novel. Even though I need to write 2k/day until the 30th to finish on time and I already know I'm missing a bunch of my writing time til the end of the month. Whee.

I've been giving some thought to wardrobe, again. Namely my modern one. My office would be a-ok with just about anything I'd want to wear, but my employer would not be, so I'll be sticking to my business casual. Specifically, torso coverings. I have a bunch of sweaters, but I realized last year (ish) that they're really fashion sweaters. Made from teeny tiny threads and not exactly warm enough on their own for a Canadian winter*. So I'm always cold and have to wear like, a poncho or puffy vest over top of it anyway. Since they are fashion sweaters, there is not really enough room under them for anything but a camisole. So what I either need is like, a modern version of a sontag, or to make myself some fabulously warm sweaters. But then I might also need to like, have different shirts? I've been wearing knits for so long, woven shirts would just feel so weird! I don't know what to do...

ANd then there's the weird thought process of not wanting to drop $x on a wardrobe item but having no problem dropping $x+y on yarn to knit something. Some problems are worth throwing money at but I;m not sure how to reconcile this one.

This post brought to you by finding out my favourite black open cardi has a hole in the elbow that can't be fixed. I COULD knit myself a new one, in various weights of yarn, but it would probably be done in time for NEXT winter. Money may indeed be the solution here.

I'm also working on a sweater knit-along that's ending next week. I have one sleeve knitted on just past the armhole. I don't think I'm gonna make it. I'm already thinking about what to make next. Maybe some gaiters to keep my ankles warm while I wear all my cute socks from Target.

*Monday: cold enough overnight that I had to fish the extension cord out from under the boxes of VHS tapes in my trunk so I could plug it in. Thursday day: high of 8C forecasted and freezing rain. I hate when it gets warm like this cuz then the snow and ice loses its structural integrity. Do you know how fun it is to drive on snow that has become the consistency of oatmeal? SO FUN (not).

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I do a lot of layers. So for options that don't involve woven shirts: a long sleeved t-shirt with a cardigan or a tank top with a light sweater and a blazer over that. Oh, also scarves. They can be stylish, but they're also another layer. Dressing for winter in nicer clothing is hard!

Long sleeved silk undershirt adds warmth without bulk. Some thermals are thin as well.

For yarn option, covering the head helps warm thing up. Would you be able to make a cute knit hat? Cloche?

p.s. Cashmere sweaters are thin and warm. Might be hard to find bargains now. End of season sales could be a way to pick up one for next year.

I love cashmere. The Bay always has them on sale in and around Christmas for about $60-70.

I wear base layers to work all winter. My favorites are fleece undershirts with thumb holes by "Cuddl Duds," but I'm sure any would work! Plus long socks over leggings or tights.

Oooh good to know! (both tje cashmere option and thr sales) ill start keeping an eye out :)

I love cold weather just for an excuse to wear layers :D youd thinking living my whole life in this area of canadaland id have it figured out by now but noooo, im just figuring it out now lol. Its only because i realized that my sweaters arent winter sweaters that i need to up my layer game hehe

The way i tend to wear my hair limits hat options but it could certainly use some research! I wore a beret i made some years back not that long ago and i couldnt wait to get it off my head by 4pm :( i def have some sensitivity to the pressure of clothing and/or hats and im not sure how much of that is just being unused to it.

I def need more long shirts and cardigans! I just donated a bunch to value village (including 98% of my scarf collection. Oops?) but i wasnt 100% in love with them so its probably better to start from almost scratch.

Workwear is a challenge every year when the seasons change for me, and I've lived in Michigan since I was two. (I am much older than two now)

Three and a half? ;)

Summer workwear is sometimes worse. Gotta dress for heat+humidity outside, but survive AC inside. Never a happy medium! (Maybe fall. I'm good for fall.)

HA I'm at least four. My gray hairs say so.

Agreed...fall is my jam. My boss is from Brazil, as is his wife, where it is VERY hot. His wife likes to joke that it's always winter in Michigan, just changing which side of the wall it's on from season to season. I have to say...she's not completely wrong!!

OK those prices are maybe a bit old. Looks like the cashmere sweaters are currently $80, but usually $170. They come in a ton of colours and different styles.

You just made me very grateful I live where I do, as I don't know what driving in oatmeal snow is like.

I was thinking about fashion and sweaters today. What drives me nuts is how much harder it is to find good fibers in the stores. It's all variants of poly crap. Cotton if you are lucky. I don't remember the last time I came across a new wool sweater. But then I do live in California...

Oatmeal snow is terrible :( There's nothing for tires to grip, so you just slide around willy-nilly. Winter driving is the pits.

I don't see wool or blend sweaters up here either, at least not in stores in my price range. I should really start haunting Value Village or something, especially in the "nice" neighbourhoods heehee. maybe I will find a nice one I could reknit! That sounds fun :)

Weird, that wool sweaters are no longer a thing.