It’s winter. It’s cold. It’s likely the gray skies are taunting you with the possibilities of snow as you traipse through Boston Common. Spend a day or two in the city, and you’ll certainly come to this truth: Boston’s weather is quite unpredictable. But you can be ready for any winter-weather scenario as long as you’ve got the right pieces of apparel in your luggage.
Comfortable and casual
While New Yorkers don’t seem to mind strutting through the streets in their stilettos, Bostonians often take the more comfortable — yet equally stylish — route. There’s nothing a good pair of low-heeled or flat boots won’t go well with. Throw them over a pair of thick leggings or skinny jeans and layer up top with a T-shirt, light sweater and warm jacket (L.L.Bean goose downs are the preferred choice among New Englanders, thanks to the company’s headquarters in Maine and an outlet store in nearby Wareham). With this look, you’ll be able to peel layers as the weather warms up throughout the day.
If you need help raising the heat, stop into Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Four Seasons Hotel Boston’s The Bristol Lounge for a mid-afternoon cup of tea or hot cocoa while you’re out and about. The Lounge’s afternoon tea takes place every weekend starting at 2 p.m. and reservations are recommended.
Sassy and sensible
One other thing you’ll find about Boston is that it’s a very casual city. Even some of the finest Star-Rated restaurants welcome diners wearing a nice pair of jeans and a blazer. The rule of thumb when dressing up around The Hub is to keep it simple. At most, an evening out will call for a pair of jeans, a fun top, a trendy scarf and sensible shoes. Any heel over two inches will get caught in the cobblestones, so, ladies, if you plan on donning a pair of flirty Diors for the night out, keep a personal driver nearby.
With this lively-but-leisurely look, you should head straight to M Bar & Lounge at Five-Star Mandarin Oriental, Boston. The chic nightspot is the see-and-be-seen address on weekends, thanks in most part to the floor-to-ceiling windows that look out onto bustling Boylston Street. Still, we’re pretty sure seasonal cocktails such as the 8th & Orchard (Bulleit Rye, MO grenadine and apple cider) and Hibiscus Royale (ume wine, hibiscus syrup and Louis Roederer Champagne) coming from the bar have something to do with the crowds as well.
Practical and prepared
You never know when you’ll find yourself in a tunnel of snow flurries in Massachusetts. With that said, your luggage should be prepared for anything. A pair of stylish Uggs paired with a cashmere cape or boyfriend sweater will get you through almost any of the city’s icky weather situations.
If your relaxing day out happens to be over the weekend, make sure brunch at Four-Star XV Beacon’s Mooo restaurant is one of your first stops. Warm up with beignets, steak and eggs and a variety of Bloody Mary options. You can burn your calories by skating a few times around Boston Common Frog Pond, a winter attraction only a few steps from Mooo’s front doors. Just think about how cozy and cute you’ll look out there practicing your triple Lutz on the ice. And better yet, imagine how handy those fur-lined boots will be after your skate ends and you need to warm up your toes.
Photos Courtesy of XV Beacon, Four Seasons Boston and Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group
