"I was not prepared for Michigan winters because I am from ... out of state," broadcast journalism sophomore Rebecca McAvoy said. "I feel like it’s hard to gauge what's cute and what's in season because of how many people don’t wear their winter clothing until you can’t step outside for longer than five minutes."

Trying to find the balance between what’s practical for this type of weather and what is in style can become tricky fast. In recent years students have been favoring the Aritzia Super Puff as their go to winter coat. This has been remaining at the top of fashion each snowy season because it combines warmth with style, offering many different colors and lengths.  

"I think the cutest winter jackets are the puffers," McAvovy said. "Especially since they are easy with rain and snow and allow you to wear a lot of layers."

Other brands like Lululemon and Canada Goose are great alternatives to the Artizia Super Puff, but all tend to be on the pricey side. Being able to invest in a good winter coat is a must in order to build a capsule winter wardrobe, although there are slightly cheaper options that provide similar comforts. 

"A nice big thick winter coat I feel like is very important to have," international relations sophomore Adeline Arbour said. "I personally use North Face and Columbia brand coats, I think those are the best ones."

North Face is a great alternative that provides a number of different styles, ranging from the early autumn lighter coats to the heavier duty winter ones. The Hydrenalite City Down Hooded jacket is a favorite each season because it resembles the style of short and puffy that has been dominating recent years.  

Although the short style puffers have a grip on the trends, they are not the most practical when it comes to spending extended amounts of time outdoors. Having a longer winter coat that extends near the knees and offers a hood provides a warmer walk through the snow. 

"The winter clothing I rely the most on during the cold is my puffer winter coat," pre-nursing sophomore Brooke Fredrick said. "I like it a lot because it comes with a hood and goes all the way down to my knees, which really helps me stay warm."

Most winter jackets have alternate styles that range from super long to cropped, which makes finding your perfect coat even easier. Even though this is the most essential starting point when it comes to building your winter wardrobe there are other aspects that are so important in order to protect from the harsh cold temperatures. 

Shoes are often overlooked when putting together a new outfit, but when walking across campus students need comfort and something to keep them safe from slipping on ice. FUGGs consistently dominate as the "it" pair of winter and fall shoes. The styles that are seen everywhere each season has transformed over the years with the rise and fall of trends. Although for the past few winters, the Tasman II and the Classic Ultra Mini are proving to be the perfect winter boot. 

"My best way that I keep my feet warm and dry is I always wear fuzzy socks and my UGGs," Fredrick said.

There are a ton of alternatives within the UGG brand as well as other stores that provide similar products that do the same things. When shopping for winter boots, finding something that is waterproof and has some sort of wool or fleece inside will keep you warm. Sperry and Hunter Boots are great options with many different stylish designs. 

"Accessories that are essential to surviving the winter are definitely boots but also gloves," Arbour said. "I feel like people forget about gloves a lot."

The key to perfecting any outfit is adding accessories, and during the wintertime this is no exception. The ones most commonly seen are kit beanies, wool scarves, earmuffs, as well as fleece lined gloves and mittens. When the harsh winds begin to pick up, being able to protect exposed skin like ears, hands, and the face becomes so important to remaining warm. 

When students are looking for this added winter gear, they are looking for pieces that will remain timeless, so they are able to reuse them for years to come. This includes primarily getting accessories in dark colors, like black, in order to not stain them easily. Although lighter colors like whites and pinks have become popular, they tend to be more prone to staining. The best place to shop for these pieces include the stores more geared towards outdoor clothing but also big box stores like Target and Meijer. 

It doesn’t just stop there, being prepared for the cold temperatures starts at the very base of an outfit. Buying basic plain clothing and being able to layer it underneath one's clothes helps greatly. Most students will layer leggings underneath things like jeans or sweatpants and simple long sleeve shirts underneath sweatshirts. Almost all stores have these basic plain clothing options, but some student favors are Aerie, Amazon, Lululemon, and Hollister. 

"I usually wear leggings and two pairs of socks in the winter because of how cold it can get," McAvoy said. "As well as putting on a long sleeve underneath a hoodie, a jacket, and covering my face with a scarf."