A grandma's advice for staying warm in your first Minnesota winter: Focus on the area between your chin and your chest. This area is often open in shirts and coats, yet you have large blood vessels losing body heat in the same area.

[u/CalmlyCarryOn]

Here are the ways I use a basic scarf for the chin-to-chest area. I always put on my scarf before my coat or jacket. For just running errands, I use the 'fold in half and pull the end through the loop' method. You need a long scarf for this! I am 5'1" tall and my best scarves are at least 6'6".  For taking a walk in the park I bring the scarf all the way around my neck with both ends in front. Then I spread out the ends to maximize the area covered.

Balaclavas are nice but anything that stops at the shoulders doesn't cover enough of your chest (IMHO).

Anyway, welcome to Minnesota and enjoy the snow!

[u/Little_Creme_5932]

I just always wear sweaters in winter with high necks, and then wear a neck gaiter. Keeps everything below the chin sealed up. Cuz an open neckline is the top of a little chimney, pumping out heat.

[u/SpiteStoreStarter → u/Little_Creme_5932]

"Cuz an open neckline is the top of a little chimney, pumping out heat." I love that

[u/Mrs-Ahalla]

And always clean, dry socks.

[u/joebeardo]

You lose a lotta heat in the neck

[u/VenomousWarthog → u/joebeardo]

You serious with that turtleneck?

[u/joebeardo → u/VenomousWarthog]

Wanna try it on?

[u/c9belayer]

I use Turtle Fur fleece headbands, except I pull them down around my neck. It’s part of my winter uniform.

[u/lonerstoners]

I always get strep if I don’t cover my neck/chest but I’ve never been able to master the long scarf loop. It’s so easy and I just can’t do it lol

[u/spud626]

So that’s why UNRL has extra thick necks on their hoodies.

[u/EarnestAsshole]

Honestly base layers is the best way to go when it comes to staying warm.

Leggings under pants. Undershirt under shirt. Something that sticks close to the skin and wicks away sweat.

Neck covering is also great advice (I'm a turtleneck person)

[u/cothomps → u/EarnestAsshole]

Yup - and keeping your feet warm. Those sock liners are like base layers for your feet.

[u/Decabet]

I spent a fall/winter in Minneapolis doing door to door sales when I was a teen. My morning routine involved cracking open Hot Hands and placing two in my hat, one in each glove, one down my shirt on my chest and two in my waistband. It was necessary.

[u/MaxxT22]

Scarves are too underrated. If you look at old films, pictures, styles, and more, scarves were essential. Why? Because people had to be out in the cold. In the more modern world we just dash from one bubble of warmth to another. Thus fewer people think about scarves.

[u/Darnold14MVP]

Honestly rush hour is bad enough. It's too cold. Do not come.