WHAT TO WEAR GETTING CHILLED NOT REALLY COOL.

Byline: Susan Abram Staff Writer

SANTA CLARITA - Ruby Rose of Valencia raised her right hand and admitted her guilt: Like many Southern Californians, she was caught unprepared for the recent bone-chilling weather.

Rose says she throws on a knit cap and a matching scarf, with green and blue stripes, to battle the cold. But beyond that, she layers herself in anything she can find to stay warm.

``Luckily, I had bought a coat last year to go to the snow, but I ended up not going,'' Rose said inside the Madalion Boutique at the Crossroads Shopping Center in Valencia. ``It came in handy this year.''

Concerned that Angelenos seem unprepared to bundle up for the cold, officials in the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services issued an advisory last week reminding residents to don appropriate clothing for the cooler weather:

``Dress warmly. Adults and children should wear a hat, a scarf or knit mask to cover face and mouth, sleeves that are snug at the wrist, mittens or gloves, water-resistant coat and boots, and several layers of loose-fitting clothing.''

Health authorities say much of a person's entire blood supply is in the head, which is especially vulnerable to heat loss. But many Southern Californians remain defiant, refusing to wea a hat or hood. Any many prefer to shiver rather than cover up a stylish blouse with a bulky coat.

Missing from a typical Angeleno's closet are the long wool trench coats, the hats, the scarves and the gloves that allow many East Coasters to face the frigid air in style.

The health advisory also warns about the dangers of hypothermia and frost bite, and it recommends drinking plenty of warm, nonalcoholic beverages.

To some Santa Clarita residents, the warning was not at all surprising.

From her perch at a flower kiosk at the Valencia Town Center, Diana Jauregui, 18, said she's seen many teens with nothing on top of their tight jeans and T-shirts in the cold. It's all about keeping up that California image of sunshine, tans and fashion, she said.

``I also think it's mostly because people don't want to take the time to buy warm clothing,'' said Jauregui, who doubled up on sweat shirts and topped off her outfit with a red beret. ``It's a big waste of money to go out and buy winter clothes because it'll probably be warm in a week, anyway.''

But if you intend to ride out the cold spell without warm clothing, health officials say you should stay indoors and pay attention to signals your body is giving you.

``Do not ignore shivering,'' health officials jointly state in their advisory. ``It's an important first sign that the body is losing heat. Persistent shivering is a signal to return indoors.''

As they walked to a nearby Starbucks, Michael Parks, 20, and Brittany Deaner, 19, both wore thin leather jackets.

``I'm a Marine,'' Parks said proudly. ``I'm used to the cold.''

``I'm always cold,'' Deaner said, shivering as if on cue. ``I have three jackets at home.''

At Central Park in Santa Clarita, the second day of a crafts fair was winding down in the cool weather. Vendors sat beneath tents sagging from the rain.

Mimi Spaulding of Castaic and her mom, Jeannette Garcia of Saugus, folded their handwoven caps, sweaters and shawls and prepared to move their shop to an indoor mall.

``Our merchandise does well in the cold, but not in the rain,'' Spaulding said.

Joanie Banks of Embroidery Designs by Joanie sat with her husband, Ed, in their own tent, selling embroidered sweat shirts and chef's aprons, among other handmade wares.

Originally from Michigan, Joanie Banks said she dressed in four layers of clothing that felt binding.

``I can't move.''

She said she spent the morning watching customers come and go.

``They come by in shorts and open-toe thongs. They're just crazy!''

Her husband, who said he's used to layering on clothes because he likes to camp in the snow, summed it up as he scooped spoonfuls of a frozen chocolate malt into his mouth.

``They have brain freeze.''

The weather will remain cool today, with highs in the 50s and lows in the 40s. Rain is expected to continue through the morning.

Susan Abram, [phone]

susan.abram(at)dailynews.com

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Photo:

(color) Some let their heads get wet and cold, while others wisely bundle up on a chilly day at the Valencia Town Center.

Tom Mendoza/Staff Photographer