Totally daft question about thermal base layers

[Exhausted5487]

But how can I make them work for my daughters when all they wear are leggings and tights (like a lot of girls!)...do I need to buy baggy trousers for them? I feel like this must be obvious so I'm sorry but could really do with them having some for some days out we have planned!

Tights or thin leggings can work under thicker / looser leggings. Ideally a fabric closer to 'shiny' than 'fluffy', or else the two layers will stick together and bunch up. Running leggings (confusingly often called 'tights') may work better than thermals for the inner layer.

Not sure there's much you can do with just tights except use thicker tights and keep warm elsewhere (boots, coat etc).

You can wear thermal leggings under normal leggings. And black leggings can pass as tights if they are wanting to wear a dress/skirt on top.

You an get thermal tights too, and on cold days I have been known to wear two pairs of tights... It's very cosy!

I do loads of winter walking up Lakeland fells. The important thing is to keep your core warm, so, your torso, mainly. If your core is warm, your extremities (hands, toes, nose) won't get too cold. So I'd go for the following:
Leggings, vest, thick socks
Thin base layer - usually a thin merino long sleeved top
Thin fleece
Down or pertex jacket
Hat and boots and mittens (mittens keep fingers warmer than gloves)

Thank you all for not making me feel ridiculous that is great to know about them layering well- the only pair we've had in the past were really thick ones so I obviously just need to look elsewhere!

@whatdidisayalan thank you, that's so helpful!

Decathlon is good for thin layers. Look at the kids ski base layers. Thin warm and start from £2.99 ish for leggings and long sleeve top

2 pairs of leggings or tights under leggings

I wear M & S Heatgen plus leggings as normal leggings, from the outside they don't look any different but are fleece lined.