At 8 a.m. Tuesday, a basset hound wandered through Prospect Park in Brooklyn wearing an extra-long turtleneck sweater. The dog's ears swept the ground, which was covered in snow (real, fluffy snow, not yet yellow) for the first time in almost two years.
The hound was far from the only New Yorker strategically bundled up against the cold. Some wore padded jackets so warm they had to be unbuttoned on the subway. Others wore gloves that they removed to touch their smartphone screens. A powerful man walked through SoHo wearing sneakers and shorts.
Plans to document fashion amidst dreamy snowy landscapes in Lower Manhattan fell apart almost immediately, battered by freezing rain. By early afternoon, what little snow was left clung to garbage bags and street corners were covered in gray mud. Finally, it felt like winter in New York.
Omari Francisco
Age: 33
Lives in: NY
Occupation: Floor manager in clothing store
How did you feel when you saw the weather this morning? I haven't seen snow sticking to the ground in New York in a couple of years, so it's actually pretty nice. I can see. It goes.
What matters more to you, warmth or fashion? I think it's really cool to be able to combine both. I used to pride fashion on function, but now I try to find pieces that do both. Today I wore a small tracksuit, a wool jacket and a fur vest.
Alina Baikova
Lives in: Manhattan
Occupation: Luxury clothing saleswoman and model.
Do you think you're the only person wearing a crop top today? Yes. But don't forget, I have a fur coat and a sleeping bag on top! These are my pajamas.
What matters more to you, warmth or fashion? Stay warm, 100 percent. There is no beauty when it is cold.
Best snow day memory? When I was a baby in Ukraine, I had this sled. I was going very fast and crashed into a tree.
Brandon Soffer
Age: 28
Lives in: western town
Occupation: Stylist
Best snow day memory? Sledding, staying home from school, video games.
What do you want to do in the snow? I've been dying to take my daughter to Central Park and take her sledding, but it hasn't snowed enough. She is only 3 years old.
James
Age: 33
Lives in: Manhattan
Occupation: Freelancer
Is it difficult to ride a scooter in this weather? It was before. But it's a little warmer. So now it's easier.
Emily Cheng
Age: 28
Lives in: Michigan
Occupation: Software developer
What matters more to you, warmth or fashion? Stay warm. This is my first time in New York and I've seen a lot of pretty girls with stockings and everything on. I say: You look so fabulous. But I'm always very cold.
Adriane Sanchez and Bobbie
Centuries: 29 and 1½
Live in: western town
Occupation: Lawyer
How did you dress for the cold? I tried to maintain my essence while looking appropriate for a preschool interview.
How's Bobby? You can dress a little boy in anything.
Marvin Jarmel
Age: 80
Lives in: Manhattan
Occupation: Retired
How are you spending the snow day? I'm on my way to the butcher. And then we go to the cheesemonger. And then we go to Rocco's house. The whole show.
What mistakes do people make when dressing for the cold? Without wearing a scarf.
Best snow day memory? They are all fun.
Shiela Martin
Age: 39
Lives in: NY
Occupation: Retail worker
Are you a snow fan? Depends. If I'm at home, yes, but not when I go to work. It's a little bit complicated.
Pamela Dunn
Age: 72
Lives in: Saint Louis
Occupation: Substitute teacher
Tip for staying warm? I put Vaseline on my feet to keep warm and then put on my shoes.
Esther Rutten
Age: 49
Lives in: The Netherlands
Occupation: Nurse
Cool boots. I received the boots for my birthday. It's a perfect day to show them off.
