Wow, we are experiencing a colder than normal January in Beaufort!  If you are visiting Parris Island in the next few months, be sure to keep an eye on the weather.  Recently our temperatures have been north of chilly, but Saturday the high is expected to reach 70 degrees!  With such wild mood swings from Mother Nature, how will you dress for Family Day and Graduation?

There’s a wonderful saying we heard in London, England, “There is no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing.”  Wearing suitable clothing for the weather will make you comfortable as you wait outside for the tram, amble from the Douglas Visitors Center to the museum or walk to the Lyceum for lunch.  With warmth and comfort in mind, here are some ideas to help you deal with our southern winter.

Before you travel add a weather app to your smart phone if you have one. Put in your current location then add Beaufort, South Carolina and you will be able to monitor the temperatures in both places.  If you don’t have a smart phone, look up the weather on the Internet.  I like NOAA’s (National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration) site.

Next layer your clothing.  When the temperature dips, add thermal underwear to your wardrobe.  Years ago I purchased a white long-sleeved top and pants made by Cuddl Duds and although I don’t use them often, I do use them when the temperature dips into the 20s and 30s.  They are thin and keep me warm while wicking away moisture.  Next put on a turtleneck, followed by a thick sweater made of wool or a polyester blend.  If it’s very cold I wear corduroy pants.  Add thick socks and boots to keep your ankles and calves warm.

Make sure your outerwear includes a scarf, hat and gloves along with a comfortable coat.  My favorite coat is made by a company called Columbia. The fabric they use keeps me warm without making me sweat.  If the weather heats up because the sun peeks out from behind the clouds you won’t feel the need to take off your coat and then put it back on when the sun retreats.  I also like the way the liner extends to cover my wrists.

If you get cold easily, try adding pocket hand warmers.   Some single use warmers trigger a chemical reaction to generate heat when you open them.  Others have a piece of metal inside and snapping the metal causes a heat reaction.  Some are even re-useable.

And if the graduation is outside, consider a Stadium Seat Cushion to keep your bottom warm as you sit on the metal bleachers.

So when wintering in the South, keep comfortable by wearing layers of clothing; boots to keep your ankles and calves warm; outerwear accessories like a hat and scarf; pocket hand warmers for extra chilly days; and think about bringing along a stadium seat to keep you warm and comfy when sitting outside.

Have you visited Parris Island recently?  Do you have any tips for new visitors?  Please be sure to post your suggestions below.  Keep warm and don’t get caught in our lovely weather without appropriate clothing.