Sixty-Something: Importance of a Good Winter Jacket

The last days of January and the first days of February are distinct for many reasons. Usually, they are a combination of cold weather and early five o’clock sunsets. By this time of year, one has established what their go-to cold weather jackets, gloves and boots are. As you grow older you accumulate winter clothing. For example, I now have perhaps ten wonderful winter coats. The oldest is a forty-year-old yellow Killy ski jacket I bought at Sanglard Sports of Chamonix in 1982. I also purchased a blue pair of Killy snow pants that I still use when it snows. My point is when it gets cold, a great winter coat keeps you warm. Somehow, I believe you establish a relationship with each one.

Years back I lived at the Montauk Shores Condominiums known to locals as “the Ditch plains trailer park.” Montauk has been known to have some cold winter days and nights. During that time I had a dog that had to be walked early in the morning and late at night.

While living there I actually called L.L. Bean, the famous clothing store in Maine, and asked what their warmest jacket was. This was pre-smart phone, pre-Amazon, when such purchases were done over the phone with live people. I purchased their Baxter State Winter Parka, advertised to be good to 40 below zero. Thank God I never had to test it to see if it did keep me warm at 40 below zero. I still have that jacket. It is from 2004. It seems every one of my winter jackets is from a particular stage of my life. Each one has been part of great adventures.

Still in wonderful condition is my black cashmere overcoat. I used to wear that one over my suit while walking to my then office in the Grace Building on 42nd street across from Bryant Park. I can still conjure up the sound of a howling Manhattan crosstown winter wind. Now, I wear that overcoat perhaps only 3 or 4 times a year. Mostly to funerals, winter black tie events and winter weddings. It was a Christmas gift from my mom in the 1990s. I think she gave one to each of my three brothers, too.

Being in my very late sixties, I really can feel the cold. Out on the east end of Long Island in the winter that ocean wind can blow fiercely. It is important to have at least one warm coat. Therefore, five years ago, I acquired some sort of an expensive Canadian Antarctic Expedition jacket that is as warm as it is heavy. No matter how cold, I can wear this jacket with just a tee-shirt underneath.

Off course, I also have a warm winter coat that is warm and light as feather. Just not super warm. These winter days I alternate most of the time between these two. Yet, I must confess I somehow wear all ten of my winter jackets at least once to justify not discarding them. My lovely wife often suggests I should do away with half of them. I believe as one gets older, it just gets tougher to discard once favorite things as if the memories achieved wearing them might be lost, too.

What I also do for safety is keep a spare winter coat in the trunk of my car, with gloves and a wool hat in the pockets. You would be surprised how many times over the years I have lent that jacket out or had to use it myself.

Finally, with all this talk of winter jackets I must confess I am counting the days until I can drop my sailboat’s anchor off Sammy’s Beach, Gardiner’s Bay, and dive into the water to “cool off!” Until then I am bundling up, and checking out frozen sandy shorelines, and ice floes in the bays.

Occasionally on cold days I see commercial fishing boats battling the winter’s rough ocean and bay waters, a tradition on the east end that goes back to the pioneers. It’s a whole other story what they wear and how they stay dry and warm.