As the wind and snow torment all who venture outside their humble residences, students and faculty alike look for ways to keep warm. For those who lack a significant other, the options suddenly are reduced to one.
By far the choice seems to be Bivouac, a store specializing in outerwear as well as camping gear, which is located on State Street, in the block preceding E.William Street. The superfluity of North Face-clad students clearly denotes what is the best-selling brand of outerwear.
The ever popular North Face marshmallow coat can be seen floating down the streets in a wide range of colors sky blue on black, violet on black, orange on black, red on black and last but not least black on black. It has become a trend that”s hard not to notice.
Other noteworthy brands include Pategonia and Mormot.
Saleswoman, Leslie Field believes that Pategonia demands special attention as it is a free company, which means that the company is enviromentally conscious. In addition, Field points out that Pategonia has come a long way in women”s styles.
“Now there is a line of coats offered by Pategonia that is more fitted to the natural contour of a woman”s body,” Field said.
Most of the coats sold by Bivouac include at least two layers, one for insulation and one meant to be decorative as well as wind and rain resistent.The insulation is usually fleece, an inexpensive alternative to down, which emits an odor once wet. The shell is often made from a synthetic material, like gortex.
Conversely, Reed agrees that it would be wrong to underestimate the warmth of the ever fashionable pea coat. The grey pea coat is usually matched with a pastel colored, matching hat and scarf.
Students, in the mad rush to get to class often forget to put on essential weather gear like gloves, a hat, a scarf and sometimes even a coat.
“Woolen hats are of course your best bet, but baseball caps are a viable alternative. The important thing is to have something on your head,” Reed said. “Wool socks are (also) a good idea, because you can wear them for two to four days without worrying about an odor,” he adds.
Reed emphasizes that cotton, although fine for summer, is entirely unsuitable for winter weather. The ideal winter ensemble, according to Bivouac personnel, would consist of a turtle fur hat, Wind Saper gloves (made of thin fleece, which is incredibly warm), and a three layered coat.
“We are an information people, and we (pride ourselves on) fitting the clothes specifically for the individual, not the other way around,” Field said.