Is it just me?

(Michael Kors for Macy's)

I work at a University. And I also live in Chicago. Sometimes the combo of the two makes me feel like a crazy person. Chicago winters are brutal. It's odd to say, but I have almost gotten used to the cold. I am from Virginia, where I used to think 50 degrees was long-john appropriate weather. Not so much anymore. Last winter, after two weeks of negative temperatures, 20 degrees felt balmy.

After three years here, I finally got proper snow boots and a ridiculously warm coat. That was last winter where my friend Jenn dubbed my coat a 'sleeping bag'. It's a Michael Kors coat and I got it from Macy's for about 65% off. What a find! And what a deal! It's long enough that my boots and coat actually overlap. It also has a hood. Lined with fur. (See above picture.)

I love this coat for keeping me warm. When I'm waiting for the L and it's -5 with the windchill, I love it even more. My work building is 20 feet away from the lake, where it's windy almost all the time. Needless to say, I am glad I have my sleeping bag coat.

But, sometimes I feel insane. I work on this campus and all these students walk around with only hoodies, light jackets, no jackets and leggings. Forget about wearing a hat; don't want to mess up that hair! I'm bundled up with a scarf, hat, gloves, insulated boots and basically a sleeping bag, with a fur trim. And then I see these girls with cute, short wool coats in different colors that do absolutely nothing to fight against the bitter cold. Was I this fashion-minded in college?

I feel crazy. I'm the only one dressed properly, but I stand out like a sore thumb. Even with all my gear on, when the wind hits me, I cringe from the cold. But these students walk bravely on, and only pretend not to feel it. Or so I think, because I can't be the only one freezing, right?

Does anyone else feel like they're dressing for the weather, but they're severely overdressed? Perhaps it is just me.