Winter Fashion Is More High-Tech Than Ever
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- We hear a lot about dressing in layers and covering exposed skin during extreme cold like we're experiencing. But the coats, hats, gloves and boots you can buy now are much different than they were just five years ago.
Retailers have found ways to merge the latest technology with fashion.
We asked two college students out shopping what they look for in winter gear.
"Cute stuff," said Abby Bujalski of Duluth. "Warm and cute."
Abby's friend, Sara Schlegel of Bemidji, says she notices what people wear out there.
"You see what brand it is and stuff it is and then you want to go find it," Sara said.
Inside the Columbia Store at Mall of America, they showed us their top-selling items -- winter gear with their Omni Heat reflective lining. It uses your body heat to keep you warm, according to Laura Willliams, the assistant store manager.
"It's the actual dots, the actual shiny silver stuff that reflects your heat back to you. Simple as that," Laura said.
Fabrics lined with materials that help block the wind or hold on to body heat are far more common now than they were years ago.
"There's functionality, there's people that are out there that want to be able to walk and to do activities yet, and you don't have all that bulk anymore," she said.
And there are definitely a broader range of colors to choose from, even in boots.
We talked to shoppers Mike and Mary Haffner from St. Paul as they were leaving L.L. Bean about what they look for in winter clothing.
"The kind of clothes they make are thin, you know, thin layers, and they're still pretty warm," Mary said.
Mike says you get what you pay for, as new winter gear can get expensive.
"But the new technology is really warmer, lighter, breathes better," Mike said. "You know, you don't get all hot and sweaty and this type of thing, so very nice."
Those Omni Heat coats cost about twice as much as similar coats that don't have that reflective lining.
But let me tell you, it makes a huge difference. I'm a witness.
