Living Like a Midwesterner

It has almost been four months since our move here to Chicago, and exactly two since I've started my new job.

Now that we're completely settled in, I've taken note of the most significant change in my lifestyle.

PRACTICALITY.

Yesterday I had brunch with my friend Phyllis, who like me, moved to Chicago from warm and sunny California. Although she's got a year ahead of me, we were both talking about how we had to make some major adjustments!

#1. Forget about all the fancy shoes and handbags. They will do you no good here. In the fall/winter, flat boots (no heel) are a must, and in the warmer months, a good pair of walking shoes and flats. A good, practical black handbag will take you through the year!

#2. Invest in a few good thick cashmere sweaters for the cold weather. NOTHING I brought from Cali is good enough for the bitter cold. My warmest sweaters still need to be layered with about three other things!! Puffy down jackets are also a must. I even bought a puffy hooded vest, which I never would have been caught dead with in LA. Funny how much your style can evolve.

#3. Coats, scarves, and gloves from Cali are stylish, but not warm or practical. I quickly realized that my coats were a waste of closet space. I could have worn them in the beginning of fall, but then locals would poke fun because it was too "warm" for coats yet. When it did become "coat season," I had to go out and buy a thick HEAVY peacoat... and the most popular color? Black. You don't want it to get dirty on the train, rain, etc. No pretty winter whites. Scarves can't be made of polyester or acrylic- yes, we do need to look at the labels now to see what is going to keep you warm!

For now, us Midwest newbies are building the basics. However, while we are living this so-called life of practicality, we can still try to be as stylish a possible.. which brings me to a new term I have learned out here:

The Coastie.

What is a Coastie, you ask? Anyone who hails from the East or West Coast whose style is noticeably fashionable. Although this sounds like a compliment, I can assure you it is not. As explained to me, it is like someone who styles their hair with the "LC bump" (if you watched The Hills, you should know what this is). Well, as much as I have adjusted my fashion sense here, I am not ashamed to be called a Coastie and embrace my fashion sense non-Coasties wish they had!

Though in a way, this all makes me think about how silly it was for me to spend so much money on expensive designer shoes and bags. When you see how unnecessary it is out here, you start to wonder how living in a particular part of the country can affect what you choose to spend your hard earned money.