The brilliant sunshine, the chirping birds and the lack of rain — sounds like springtime and summer in Seattle. Unfortunately, it’s not. The cloudless skies have been accompanied by equally stimulating temperatures: afternoons that don’t make it past 35 and nights no warmer than 20. This is certainly not summertime. With these record-breaking lows, it’s easy for one to be caught with a lack of extra winter accessories in the closet. Sure, you have your sweaters, pea coat and boots, but what we Seattleites have been enduring lately requires much more than the bare essentials. There are additional extremities we need to keep in mind when bundling up for our long hike to and through campus for classes.

Scarves

One winter favorite that never goes out of style is the simple yet necessary scarf. The fun thing about scarves is that they’re so versatile. Lengths can vary, they come in a multitude of colors, and if you don’t like what the stores are selling, you can always go to your local fabric store and buy yarn to make your own. For girls, it’s always nice to have a longer, comfortable scarf. I suggest cashmere, as it is both soft and not too overpowering on the neck region. I know what you all are thinking: cashmere scarves cost a fortune. True, Nordstrom’s cashmere scarves — which come in a plethora of colors — are a bit pricey (roughly $100), but if you walk up the street (or take a bus to Bellevue), the Rack carries the same cashmere scarves for half the price. Of course, there is a trade off, as you don’t get the same variety in color tones. Try to avoid excessively flashy patterns or outrageous unmatchable colors, as these tend to overwhelm your look. Remember, a scarf is an accessory, not the main piece of your outwear attire. When in doubt, stick to simple muted shades that complement your favorite coat or footwear. I know it’s hard for some guys to wear scarves, but due to the glacial weather, many men would rather try and stay warm. For guys, a great place to go to get a quality stylish scarf is Banana Republic. They have simple yet comfortable scarves that aren’t too showy and come in bold masculine colors like navy blue, forest green and brown. Banana Republic also carries wraps for women as well, for the those who want the look of a scarf but don’t want the heavy weight around their neck.

Gloves

Another item you may find yourself needing is a pair of gloves. Sometimes putting your hands in the coat or pants pocket isn’t quite warm enough and you need a little more to keep your fingers from freezing off. For a student who doesn’t want any old pair of normal gloves, think outside the box for styles like fingerless gauntlets or mittens. I highly suggest that someone who wants to make a fun fashion statement purchase a pair of wool mittens — they’re fun, cute and definitely keep your hands and fingers nice and toasty. If you want to look for a pair of unique and stylish fingerless gloves, there are lots of little shops at Pike Place Market that sell handmade pairs, so each one is different and made with unique fibers (like alpaca or wool from South America). Also, a fun style is to wear arm warmers, the type of glove that extends passed your wrist and to your elbow; Urban Outfitters carries some for pretty affordable prices, as does Zebra Club.

Hats

Some people can tolerate having cold ears, while a few of us are just hotheaded (ha ha…). For those who are neither, and are living in Seattle while we battle another ice age, hats are essential to keep our ears from freezing off. For girls, berets are a cute and fashionable way to keep your head warm, and everyone carries them, from Nordstrom to Gap to Urban Outfitters. Between all these stores, there is a large choice of colors to pick from as well. For guys, the average beanie usually works best, but this season it’s easy to find some that are a little spruced up in color and in style — knitted, wool or fleece. For both sexes, I do not advise purchasing a beanie or hat that is stiff or extends outward in any way — you’ll just end up looking like a fool.