Getting Outdoors this Winter

David and I love spending time outside and we try to take (almost) daily walks around town rain or shine, but in deep winter I often find myself making excuses to skip it and stay snuggled up inside. Spending time outside getting sunlight in your eyes and getting a little movement in while enjoying nature have myriad health benefits that can help overcome the winter blues. So what helps me get outside? The right gear.

My go-to outfit formula isn’t revolutionary, but just having a formula makes it easier to get up and go without caving to excuses. I love starting with a base layer of a sweater + relaxed jeans then layering on a cozy vest and classic wax jacket so I have options if I get warm on the walk. Unsurprisingly, a lot of my favorite pieces for morning walks come from classic American purveyor of outdoor apparel, LLBean. I wear a pair of their iconic Bean Boots daily (these for warmer days and the shearling version for the coldest days!) as well as one of their fleece-y vests to keep my core warm. Lastly their sweater collection is one of my best-kept wardrobe secrets. Many of their knits are made of 100% wool or organic cotton and boast timeless silhouettes and designs that they've been making for years (decades?).  And even better - most are under $100. While I generally dislike logos on clothing and avoid pieces splashed with LV or CC I oddly love the vintage intarsia "L.L.Bean" on this sweater.  

L.L.BEAN FAVORITES: