Staying Warm While Staying Chic

By Wendy Crawford

Staying warm in the winter isn’t easy for anyone. When you are in a wheelchair, staying warm in the winter can be next to impossible! Don’t despair and hibernate, however, for the entire season. Below you will find ideas to keep you both toasty and extremely fashionable.

Hats
Many people don’t realize that you lose a substantial percentage of your body heat through your head—so a hat is a must! There are so many stylish options available this season. The knit caps, which are really warm, can look great with a pair of jeans, chunky sweater or jacket and matching scarf. If you really want to stay warm and be on top of the season’s trends, get a Russian fur hat with ear flaps and a back that covers your neck. (I’m pro-animal, so I prefer faux fur. It’s so advanced nowadays that you can’t tell the difference and it’s much easier to keep clean.) If you check out many of the designers’ collections for Fall 2005, such as Diane Von Furstenberg’s, you’ll see this funky look. There are also some cute boy caps that you will find at many of the department retail stores. These hats aren’t quite as warm as the others mentioned, but are very stylish and can be worn with almost anything both indoors and out.

Scarves
As a quadriplegic with a spinal cord injury, I find that if my neck isn’t warm, I am not warm. Turtlenecks work well, but scarves can be more versatile and can really dress up an outfit. Choose a bright color that complements your hair and skin color. Often our wardrobe is in neutral colors in the winter-colors such as black, gray, and tan- so a contrasting color can brighten a tired, pale, winter complexion. Also, wearing a scarf is an inexpensive way to spruce up an old outfit and give you an entire new look.

A chic way to wear the scarf is to, first, fold it in half lengthwise and then drape it around your neck with the ends hanging down in front. Next, feed the fringe ends down through the loop on the other end and pull tight. Steer clear of really long scarves that can get in your way or tangled in your wheels.

Vests
I find that functioning in a wheelchair while wearing a bulky winter jacket is very difficult. Transferring, pushing your chair, and driving while you are dressed like the Michelin Man is no easy feat! My solution to this problem is wearing a vest with a warm wool sweater or fleece top underneath. There are down- filled fleece vests for a more sporty look that are extremely warm and faux fur ones for a more dressy look—all of which are easy to put on and remove.

Leg Warmers
Okay, before you cringe and have an ’80s Flashdance flashback, please hear me out. Believe it or not, some leg warmers have made a comeback, but I personally don’t care what they look like because I wear them under my pants where they aren’t visible. For some of us who don’t have sensation in our lower body, we tend to overlook keeping that portion of our body warm. Another advantage of leg warmers is, unlike nylons or longjohns, they do not need to be removed every time you go to the restroom.

If you are unable to find leg warmers, purchase some thigh-high socks in a wool blend. Be wary of really bulky socks that can bunch in your boots and cause pressure marks.

Boots
Feet are another part of our bodies that we sometimes neglect. Just because we aren’t walking in snow doesn’t mean we don’t need to protect them from the elements. Try to find a pair that is light weight (easier for transfers) and not too bulky so that your feet will stay on the footrests. Ugg boots, which are suede on the outside and fleece lined on the inside, were originally used by Californian surfers to warm up. They work well because they come up high to keep your calves warm, are cozy, and very trendy. There are many knockoffs at affordable prices that come in various heights and colors. There are even some fleecy slippers that you can pass off as boots that fit better in your chair. Make certain that you have room in your boots so

Gloves/Mittens
Hands are probably the most difficult part of our body to protect when propelling a wheelchair or manipulating a joystick. Your extremities are going to be affected by the cold the most. Try different gloves and see what works best for you. There are stylish Isotoner or fingerless gloves available in most department stores. You may want to even check sports stores for their selection. Some protection is better than none.

For those of you without hand function who struggle to put on a pair of gloves, you may want to try mittens that Velcro or tie at the wrist so that they stay on. For a sophisticated look, another option is mufflers. You often see these in Victorian ice-skating pictures, where the mufflers have a cylindrical shape and are made out of fur. You can keep them on your lap. They are very easy to slide your hands in and out of independently.

Heat Packs
Sometimes clothes just aren’t enough, especially once you get cold. To get some external heat back into your body, there are disposable heat packs found in ski shops or outdoor gear stores that are extremely affordable (usually around a dollar) to put inside your clothing and mittens. They are simple to activate and last hours and hours. Some even have an adhesive so you can stick them directly on your skin. Those with little or no sensation must be extremely careful not to burn your skin. Remember, testing temperature briefly with your hand is much different than leaving something hot on the skin for long periods of time.

There are also microwavable heat packs with aromatherapy that are designed to wrap around your neck or for your hands or feet. These are absolutely heavenly after you’ve been outside.

The most important point is that you need to get out there and enjoy life! Don’t stay indoors because you’re afraid of getting cold. The fresh air can be invigorating and, even if you only get out for a short time, it’s much better than getting cabin fever. Just keep in mind to always be aware of your body, and don’t overdo it. Remember, there are roasted marshmallows and hot chocolates when you return home!

Wendy Crawford is a former model who grew up in Canada, so she knows firsthand how to deal with harsh winters! This article was adapted with permission from Wendy’s Web site, mobilewomen.org.