A Chic Girl's Guide to Raynaud's

Having Raynaud's is the worst. And if you live in a place like me where winter seems to last forever, keeping a keen eye on your circulation can seem like a full-time job. In this post, I will unveil some tips and tricks on how to keep your hands and feet fashionably toasty.

Here are some tips:

Lovely Layers. Keeping the Raynaud's monster dormant means keeping the body's core warm so it doesn't draw that warm blood away from the hands and feet. Here's what you do: start with a soft, fitted camisole, or long or short-sleeved tee (a thermal option would work, too). Slip a cozy chic sweater on over it. Then top it off with a trench with a Thinsulate feature or down puffer jacket that hits below the waist, and either dips in at the waist or comes with a cinching belt to make it extra figure flattering. Then add your favorite cozy scarf to ensure you're extra toasty. Obviously, you'll need to add gloves, too, but I'll get to that part soon. Make sure you keep proportions in mind when assembling your layers. Balance slouchy or oversized pieces with fitted ones. If the tops you're wearing are fitted, then feel free to pair them with wide leg jeans. Conversely, if you're wearing a slouchy sweater, pair them with slimmer legged jeans or leggings. Those will give your bundling an elevated vibe.

Extremity protection. We're all acutely aware of the fact that Raynaud's mainly affects the hands and feet. So those accessories for are going to be crucial as you prepare to face winter's wrath. I'd suggest getting touchscreen gloves so that you don't have to remove them when your phone inevitably dings. This obviously eliminates the need to unnecesarily expose your sensitive skin to the frigid air. Avoid run-of-the-mill gloves that will allow cold gusts through like a bored bouncer at a club on a Saturday night. Instead, look for a pair with fabrics that will be sure to deflect the icy breeze. Personally, I have a pair of fleece lined wool gloves my beautiful mother got for me on Etsy. They're not tech gloves, so answering my phone has to wait until I'm inside, but those things block the wintry air like nobody's business.

For your feet, I suggest finding shoes or boots that will repel the cold air. Therefore, shoes like mesh sneakers are a no-go. Uggs are a great option because of their thick construction and sheepskin-lined goodness. If you're looking for a shoe or boot that is reliably comfortable, cute, and warm, they are always an excellent choice. Also, Columbia makes boots that feature heat reflective technology (check out their Omni-Heat Boots), so those are another fantastic option. I have a pair myself, and can attest to their effectiveness (I bought and wore them mostly before I got sick, so they don't always fit now, but I am going to have to see if I can get a pair that fits me before winter sets in!). They're not only well-made and warm, but they are the epitome of winter chic. Après ski vibes for sure.

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Drumroll...here are some hacks:

• Layering for legs. Traditional tights are clearly not warm, so you can swap them out for an affordable pair of fleece-lined leggings or tights. You can wear them under your regular jeans or pants, or with a midi skirt or dress to ward off the blustery winter wind. A chic and elevated version of what us Italians like to call "moodandies."

• Warming glory. One thing that has been a Godsend for me during the cold months has been heated gloves. I have a pair that look like boxing gloves, but they're lined inside and out with a luxuriously soft velvet. They're filled with ceramic beads, so when you put them in the microwave, they heat up, providing moist heat; instantly warming hands that seemingly always feel like they could be Elsa's. Just heat them up, sit back, and relax as the warmth seeps into your winter weary hands.

  

• Throwback chic. For your feet, something new I've been trying this fall have been leg warmers with socks. If I'm lounging around the house in my sleep dress, I have found that adding leg warmers with soft socks have kept my legs and feet extremely toasty thus far. I got a pair during Prime Days for around $6, and found that they are not only cute and comfortable, but also really live up to their name. I honestly sleep with them on, because sometimes my body gets cold when it comes up against cool sheets in bed at night. But they could work with your outfits, too. You could wear them under pants or boots, or over leggings (you could get them in the same color of your leggings for a minimalist look, or in a different color if you wanted to give your outfit a pop).

• Fun with (faux) fur. As far as coats are concerned, fur coats are extremely warm. You know what else is just as warm for a fraction of the price? Faux fur coats. Just make sure to get one that's an actual coat and not just a trendy fashion piece. It's another fun and fashionable way to keep your body toasty. Honestly, what's more fierce than fur?!

  

• Seal it up. I like to think of preparing to go out into the cold like getting ready to hike in the woods during tick season. But in this case, we're defending against Jack Frost and not tiny vampires. Keep the gaps in your clothing sealed: make sure your wrists and ankles are covered. Seal that body temperature in; don't give it anywhere to go. Don't forget your neck area, either. I find keeping my neck warm with a turtleneck or scarf does wonders.

• Keep your head in the game. The age old adage is true: we lose most of our body heat through our heads. The good news is there are so many beautiful options for winter headwear. Personally, I'm a beanie girl. They can be embellished with sparkles, rhinestones, bows...they can fit whatever vibe you're going for. And you can style your hair in so many cute ways to accommodate them, too. Soft curls peeking out from your adorable beanie...you'll look like a Hallmark Movie heroine. I like to braid my hair when I'm wearing mine sometimes. I have an FDNY beanie I got in NYC, and I love braiding my hair when I wear it (single or pigtail). I love the mix of feminine and masculine it gives. I also have a beautiful warm, embellished headband that comes in handy, too. And, let's be honest, headbands and hats are also excellent at making not-so-great hair days vanish. Either way, it's an excellent dovetailing of fashion and function.

  

So as we enter into our Arendelle era, hopefully these tips will be helpful with those of you dealing with Raynaud's. View it as fashionable armor. And doing battle never looked so good. You've got this.